Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X
By Terreece Clarke,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Malcolm X's daughter portrays his childhood in earnest bio.
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What's the Story?
Malcolm Little grew up to be an influential leader in the civil rights movement, but before that he was a kid like everyone else. As a child, he learns valuable lessons about leadership, life, and respect for every living thing. Malcolm and his family endure many hardships -- including having their house burned down, Malcolm's father being killed by the Ku Klux Klan, and the eight siblings being split up and sent to live with other families -- but each time they find the courage, hope, and inspiration to go on. The story ends with Malcolm, the only person of color at his middle school, being elected seventh grade class president.
Is It Any Good?
Richly illustrated by AG Ford, MALCOLM LITTLE: THE BOY WHO GREW UP TO BECOME MALCOLM X details Malcolm X's life as a young boy. His daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, uses family history and stories to illuminate an often neglected area of her father's life.
Written in easy and somewhat repetitive prose, the stories reveal a child raised in a loving and nurturing environment despite the many struggles his family faced. Malcolm's early leadership qualities are seen as the product of both natural ability and the way he was brought up. Readers may find they can apply the Little family's lessons to their own life. Malcolm Little makes a nice companion piece to other, independent sources of information on the life of Malcolm X.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the difference between media portrayals of historical figures and family stories of their childhoods. What biases does each side have? Who would be better at telling your story, your mom or a local reporter? Why?
The time in which Malcolm Little grew up in America was difficult for people of various races, faiths, and orientations. Can you name a few ways things have gotten better? What does society still have to work on?
Malcolm Little's mother and father taught him important lessons about life. What lessons have you learned from your family? What lessons will you pass on to your children?
Book Details
- Author: Ilyasah Shabazz
- Illustrator: AG Ford
- Genre: History
- Topics: History
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Atheneum
- Publication date: January 7, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 6 - 10
- Number of pages: 48
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 1, 2022
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