Malcolm Lives! The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers

Gr 7 Up–Scholar and antiracist activist Kendi brings the life and learning of Malcolm X directly to young readers in this compelling, propulsive biography. Malcolm Little, born 1925 in Omaha, NE, faced trauma and hardship from early on due to racism and white supremacy. By the time he was in eighth grade, he was hungry and angry which made him reckless and desperate. He left school for pool halls and bars, breaking laws and getting by with older friends. At 20, he landed in prison for a string of robberies. While he was incarcerated, he rediscovered his love of learning and his thirst for knowledge. It was also when he was introduced to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, then the leader of the U.S.-based Nation of Islam. Upon release, the young man zigzagged across the U.S. gathering followers. After he became disillusioned with Muhammad’s leadership, he left the Nation of Islam, but his influence continued to grow in the global fight for human rights for all. Kendi artfully draws on extensive source material to recreate conversations and elucidate the possible thoughts and feelings behind some of the behavior of his subjects. The length of the book might intimidate some readers. However, the short chapters and Kendi’s frequent direct address to young people make the text feel like a conversation, with a writing style more akin to oratory than textbook. The text is made even more accessible because it is interspersed with images of typewritten letters, handwritten notes, and photographs.