Common Sense Media Review
By Kyle Jackson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thrilling and tragic novel about Malcolm X's troubled youth.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Cowritten by one of Malcolm X's daughters, Ilyasah Shabazz, X: A NOVEL tells the story of the civil rights hero's dark and fascinating adolescence, from his fractured family life in Lansing, Michigan, to his exploits as a zoot suit-wearing gambler and drug dealer in Boston and Harlem, to his conviction and confinement for burglary, ending before his conversion to Islam and release from prison. The novel doesn't provide much information about Malcolm's career as a minister or social justice advocate -- aside from a brief epilogue -- but it does offer a nuanced and intimate portrayal of a bright young man who lost his father to racial violence at an early age, lost his mother to a mental institution, and lost himself in the world of drugs and hustling.
Is It Any Good?
Coauthors Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon have crafted a deep and riveting story that provides a window into the tumultuous upbringing of one of the 20th century's towering figures.The writing is stellar throughout, filled with heartbreaking commentary on the frustration and despair faced by young African-American men, a topic still quite relevant today, decades after Malcolm's assassination. The book touches on very mature themes, including violence against interracial couples, getting high and dealing drugs, and the prevalence of lynching and Ku Klux Klan terrorism, making it best for teens interested in exploring the complexities of racism and fractured families.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how childhood trauma and the loss of a stable family at an early age affected Malcolm's development. Why did he resent his father? How did his parents' political activities contribute to the way they were targeted by racists?
Do you prefer reading about a historical figure's life in a novel such as this one or in a biography? How are the two forms different?
What effect did prison have on Malcolm? How did embracing the teachings of the Nation of Islam affect his worldview and alter the course of his life?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Activism , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Candlewick Press
- Publication date : January 6, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Award : Coretta Scott King Medal and Honors
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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