X

Kekla Magoon,
Ilyasah Shabazz

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X is a fictional retelling of the early life of Malcolm X with his daughter and stellar, Kekla Magoon. Thoroughly researched using his diaries and writings, the reader meets Malcolm as a six-year-old when he loses his father. This incident is pivotal in his later development and the reader learns about his disillusionment with his parents' uplifting "you can do anything" talks. We follow Malcolm as he flees his home in Flint and lives in Boston and New York, totally absorbed in the high life and hustles, along with drugs, dating a white woman, and burglary, which lands him in jail. Malcolm's time in prison, writing to his family, and embracing Islam mark a turning point in his life to become the leader of his people. The story begins with Malcolm being 14 years old around the time when he and his siblings were separated from his mother. Malcolm learns the truths about his mother, a proud black woman who could pass for white, often doing so in order to secure employment, and then losing jobs when her employers would discover she's black. The story also explores Malcolm's loss of interest in education when told as a negro he should not strive for nor attain success. They also explore how the violent murder of Malcolm's father coupled with the heartless oppression sustained by Malcolm's mother shaped teen Malcolm's world view.

Characters:

The characters, primarily focused on young Malcolm, reflect his supportive family and the influential figures that shaped his life.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and accessible, blending historical facts with fictional elements that draw readers into Malcolm X's world.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot explores Malcolm X's early life, focusing on his family turmoil, loss of educational motivation, and experiences of racism, leading to his eventual transformation.

Setting:

The setting encompasses Malcolm's childhood in Flint and his experiences in urban environments like Boston and Harlem, set against a backdrop of racial tension.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and engaging, ensuring that readers remain captivated throughout the narrative.

Notes:

The story starts with Malcolm X at age 14, shortly after his mother was separated from him and his siblings.

Malcolm's mother was a proud black woman who often passed for white to get jobs but lost them when her race was discovered.

Malcolm's father's violent murder and his mother's oppression greatly influenced his worldview.

The book vividly depicts Malcolm's life in Boston and Harlem, including his struggles and experiences as a young black man.

This novel serves as an accessible introduction to Malcolm X's life for today's youth.

It combines fictional storytelling with factual research from Malcolm's diaries and writings.

Malcolm's time in prison was crucial for his transformation, where he turned to writing and embraced Islam.

The book highlights Malcolm's initial disillusionment with education and his eventual journey towards becoming a leader.

Malcolm's story is told alongside personal anecdotes and reflections from his daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, enhancing the narrative.

The novel provides insights into Malcolm X's early challenges, including racism and family struggles, shaping his future activism.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of racism, violence, and harsh realities of Malcolm X’s young life.

From The Publisher:

A 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book

Cowritten by Malcolm X's daughter, this riveting and revealing novel follows the formative years of the man whose words and actions shook the world.

Malcolm Little's parents have always told him that he can achieve anything, but from what he can tell, that's a pack of lies. There's no point in trying, he figures, and lured by the nightlife of Boston and New York, he escapes into a world of fancy suits, jazz, girls, and reefer. But Malcolm's efforts to leave the past behind lead him into increasingly dangerous territory. X follows the boy who would become Malcolm X from his childhood to his imprisonment for theft at age twenty, when he found the faith that would lead him to forge a new path and command a voice that still resonates today.

January 2015

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405 pages

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X

Kekla Magoon, Ilyasah Shabazz