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MALCOLM LITTLE
The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X
Author: Ilyasah Shabazz
Illustrator: A.G. Ford
Review Issue Date: November 1, 2013
Online Publish Date: October 20, 2013
Publisher:Atheneum
Pages: 48
Price (Hardcover ): $17.99
Price (e-book ): $12.99
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
ISBN (Hardcover ): 978-1-4424-1216-3
ISBN (e-book ): 978-1-4424-3304-5
Category: Picture Books
The childhood of the controversial African-American activist was shaped by parental love and white racism.
Writing with the fervor and intensity of a motivational speaker, Shabazz recounts her father’s early years, which were filled with the loving support and teachings of his parents as well as the hate and destruction of the Ku Klux Klan. His mother nurtured a love of learning and nature, and his father—a follower of Marcus Garvey—taught him self-pride before being murdered by the KKK. Shabazz concentrates her lengthy text on her father’s youth; she writes about his racist English teacher but does not mentions his imprisonment, work for Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Islam or conversion to Islam anywhere in the text or in her three-page author’s note. With the passion of a preacher, she celebrates love, respect, tolerance and education without restraint, producing an overwritten text laced with an excess of flowery images. In a description of the garden that Malcolm’s mother shared with her children, she writes that it “was a testament to true and unconditional brotherhood from the earth on up to the sky, a daily lesson in acceptance and equality.” Ford’s oil paintings, framed on the page, are lush and filled with detail.
A daughter’s proud but overwrought tribute to her father and his parents. (Picture book/ biography. 7-10) (Kirkus)
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.) (Publishers Weekly)
"The childhood of the controversial African-American activist was shaped by parental love and white racism.
Writing with the fervor and intensity of a motivational speaker, Shabazz recounts her father’s early years, which were filled with the loving support and teachings of his parents as well as the hate and destruction of the Ku Klux Klan.... With the passion of a preacher, she celebrates love, respect, tolerance and education without restraint.... Ford’s oil paintings, framed on the page, are lush and filled with detail.
A daughter’s proud...tribute to her father and his parents." (Kirkus Reviews, November 2013)
"Shabazz (Growing Up X) pays affectionate tribute to her father, Malcolm X, and his parents in this account of the activist’s childhood.... Shabazz relays...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." (Publishers Weekly, October 2013)
"The author of this handsome, inspirational offering is Malcolm X’s daughter–an educator, activist, and motivational speaker. . . . Ford’s oil paintings are accomplished and historically accurate." (School Library Journal, January 2014)
Malcolm Little
Written by Ilyasah Shabazz, illustrated by AG Ford
Atheneum, 43 pp., for ages 6 to 10
***
Before he became the black nationalist leader known as Malcolm X , Malcolm Little was a boy who loved fishing and butterflies. His daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz,aided by AG Ford's vivid paintings, outlines a childhood marked by love and tragedy. When Malcolm was 4, his home in Omaha was destroyed in a fire, "set by townspeople who disagreed with their family's beliefs about universal equality." A few years later, Malcolm lost his father "to the brute force of racism." His mother was taken from her seven children "for reasons that no one dared to explain." Malcolm became the only black student in his junior high school, where, despite a racist white teacher, he was elected class president. His daughter writes, "Malcolm may have lost his family, but he never lost the values for which the Little family stood." (Bob Minzesheimer USA Today)
Malcolm Little
Written by Ilyasah Shabazz, illustrated by AG Ford
Atheneum, 43 pp., for ages 6 to 10
***
Before he became the black nationalist leader known as Malcolm X , Malcolm Little was a boy who loved fishing and butterflies. His daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz,aided by AG Ford's vivid paintings, outlines a childhood marked by love and tragedy. When Malcolm was 4, his home in Omaha was destroyed in a fire, "set by townspeople who disagreed with their family's beliefs about universal equality." A few years later, Malcolm lost his father "to the brute force of racism." His mother was taken from her seven children "for reasons that no one dared to explain." Malcolm became the only black student in his junior high school, where, despite a racist white teacher, he was elected class president. His daughter writes, "Malcolm may have lost his family, but he never lost the values for which the Little family stood." (Bob Minzesheimer USA Today)
Malcolm Little
Written by Ilyasah Shabazz, illustrated by AG Ford
Atheneum, 43 pp., for ages 6 to 10
***
Before he became the black nationalist leader known as Malcolm X , Malcolm Little was a boy who loved fishing and butterflies. His daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz,aided by AG Ford's vivid paintings, outlines a childhood marked by love and tragedy. When Malcolm was 4, his home in Omaha was destroyed in a fire, "set by townspeople who disagreed with their family's beliefs about universal equality." A few years later, Malcolm lost his father "to the brute force of racism." His mother was taken from her seven children "for reasons that no one dared to explain." Malcolm became the only black student in his junior high school, where, despite a racist white teacher, he was elected class president. His daughter writes, "Malcolm may have lost his family, but he never lost the values for which the Little family stood." (Bob Minzesheimer USA Today)
"Before he became the black nationalist leader known as Malcolm X , Malcolm Little was a boy who loved fishing and butterflies. His daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, aided by AG Ford's vivid paintings, outlines a childhood marked by love and tragedy." (Usa Today, February 2014)
About the Author
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™, 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.
From 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 --This text refers to the hardcover edition. Review
"The childhood of the controversial African-American activist was shaped by parental love and white racism.
Writing with the fervor and intensity of a motivational speaker, Shabazz recounts her father’s early years, which were filled with the loving support and teachings of his parents as well as the hate and destruction of the Ku Klux Klan.... With the passion of a preacher, she celebrates love, respect, tolerance and education without restraint.... Ford’s oil paintings, framed on the page, are lush and filled with detail.
A daughter’s proud...tribute to her father and his parents." ― Kirkus Reviews, November 2013
"Shabazz (Growing Up X) pays affectionate tribute to her father, Malcolm X, and his parents in this account of the activist’s childhood.... Shabazz relays...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." ― Publishers Weekly, October 2013
"The author of this handsome, inspirational offering is Malcolm X’s daughter–an educator, activist, and motivational speaker. . . . Ford’s oil paintings are accomplished and historically accurate." ― School Library Journal, January 2014
"Before he became the black nationalist leader known as Malcolm X , Malcolm Little was a boy who loved fishing and butterflies. His daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, aided by AG Ford's vivid paintings, outlines a childhood marked by love and tragedy." ― Usa Today, February 2014 --This text refers to the hardcover edition. From the Author
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™, 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. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. 
![Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X by [Ilyasah Shabazz, AG Ford]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61dqNnSo8uL._SX260_.jpg)
