Name: The Awakening of Malcolm X
ISBN: 9780374313296

Ilyasah Shabazz

Tiffany D. Jackson

The Awakening of Malcolm X is a powerful narrative account of the activist's adolescent years in jail, written by his daughter Ilyasah Shabazz along with 2019 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe award-winning author, Tiffany D. Jackson. No one can be at peace until he has his freedom. In Charlestown Prison, Malcolm Little struggles with the weight of his past. Plagued by nightmares, Malcolm drifts through days, unsure of his future. Slowly, he befriends other prisoners and writes to his family. He reads all the books in the prison library, joins the debate team and the Nation of Islam. Malcolm grapples with race, politics, religion, and justice in the 1940s. And as his time in jail comes to an end, he begins to awaken -- emerging from prison more than just Malcolm Little: Now, he is Malcolm X. Here is an intimate look at Malcolm X's young adult years. While this book chronologically follows X: A Novel, it can be read as a stand-alone historical novel that invites larger discussions on black power, prison reform, and civil rights.

The Awakening of Malcolm X

Belle Ellrich

*I WAS PROVIDED A PHYSICAL COPY OF THE BOOK BY THE PUBLISHER. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION*

This book was beautiful. It asks important questions about the prison system and the society we live in, despite being dated back years upon years. I also really loved how the authors focused on Malcolm's religion and expanded it to put it in a golden light. One thing I noted while reading was that the authors also put focus on the people around Malcolm. I learned about events and people I hadn't even heard of until reading about them through this book, and it really left a lasting impression on me.

The only problem I did have with this book was that the pacing was much slower than I'm used to, and it stays that way throughout the book.

This book will leave you with emotions of loss, sadness, inspiration, hope and so much more. For that, I rate it 4.25 stars. The Awakening of Malcolm X is a beautifully woven book that I feel everyone should have the opportunity to read. I sincerely hope y'all will pick up this book in the near future if you can. This is one book that deserves all the attention it can get.