Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X

by Ilyasah Shabazz (Author) Ag Ford (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Malcolm X grew to be one of America’s most influential figures. But first, he was a boy named Malcolm Little. Written by his daughter, this inspiring picture book biography celebrates a vision of freedom and justice.

Bolstered by the love and wisdom of his large, warm family, young Malcolm Little was a natural born leader. But when confronted with intolerance and a series of tragedies, Malcolm’s optimism and faith were threatened. He had to learn how to be strong and how to hold on to his individuality. He had to learn self-reliance.

Together with acclaimed illustrator AG Ford, Ilyasah Shabazz gives us a unique glimpse into the childhood of her father, Malcolm X, with a lyrical story that carries a message that resonates still today—that we must all strive to live to our highest potential.
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Kirkus

A daughter's proud but overwrought tribute to her father and his parents. (Picture book/ biography. 7-10)

Publishers Weekly

Shabazz (Growing Up X) pays affectionate tribute to her father, Malcolm X, and his parents in this account of the activist's childhood, which relies on family lore to reimagine Malcolm's conversations and thoughts. The dense narrative mixes down-to-earth observations (Malcolm "was full of questions, a natural leader, and a fun-loving prankster") with sometimes protracted metaphors; among the lessons Malcolm learned from his mother's garden was that it "was an entire world of its own, where even the most sluggish of ladybugs and the fastest scurrying ants were all equally treated like esteemed and welcomed guests at a family Sunday brunch." What Shabazz relays more precisely is Malcolm's resolve to succeed and remain true to his parents' values after he loses his father "to the brute force of racism and the narrow-mindedness of the Ku Klux Klan," and his mother is deemed "no longer fit to care for her children." Ford's (My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) oil paintings render joyous and desolate moments with equal skill. Ages 5-10. Author's agent: Jason Anthony, Lippincott Massie McQuilkin. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Jan.)

Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7--The author of this handsome, inspirational offering is Malcolm X's daughter-an educator, activist, and motivational speaker. Though the book does provide anecdotes from the subject's childhood, it is largely the story of Malcolm's parents, Earl and Louise Little, and how they helped shape their son's character and ideology. His mother was part of the Marcus Garvey movement and was dedicated to the idea of international freedom and equality. His father was an impassioned speaker: "his words had the power to move people, to make them laugh, cry, feel, and think." At the age of four, Malcolm and his family watched their house burn at the hands of people who disagreed with the family's beliefs. While young Malcolm is described as a mischievous prankster from a large, close-knit family, the haunting fire and traumatic events that followed left him "sad, lonely confused...broken." Still, Malcolm's story ends triumphantly in the seventh grade when he, the only African American at school, is elected class president. Ford's oil paintings are accomplished and historically accurate; images of the Littles courting and Earl preaching are painterly and realistic while images of the Little children are more stylized. Dense pages of text make this offering more suitable for upper-elementary or middle-school students.--Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Ilyasah Shabazz
Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, is an activist, motivational speaker, and author of the critically acclaimed Growing Up X. Ilyasah promotes higher education, interfaith dialogue, and building bridges between cultures for young leaders of the world. She produces the WAKE-UP Tour(TM), her exclusive youth empowerment program, and participates on international humanitarian delegations. She is the founder of Malcolm X Enterprises and is a trustee for the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center as well as the Malcolm X Foundation. Ilyasah serves on the board for the Harlem Symphony Orchestra, is a member of the art committee for the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center, and is a project advisor for the documentary Prince Among Slaves. She holds a master of science in education and human resource development. Ilyasah lives in New Rochelle, NY. For further information, please visit IlyasahShabazz.com.

AG Ford is the illustrator of many books for children, including the New York Times bestseller Barack by Jonah Winter, Michelle by Deborah Hopkinson, and Goal! by Mina Javaherbin. He also contributed to Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook. He lives in Frisco, Texas, with his wife, Brandy. Visit him at AGFordIllustration.com.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781442412163
Lexile Measure
1190
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date
January 07, 2014
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF007050 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Cultural Heritage
JNF018010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JNF007110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Social Activists
JNF019000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Family | General
Library of Congress categories
Childhood and youth
X, Malcolm
African American Muslims
Black Muslims

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