X: A Novel

Cowritten by Malcolm X’s daughter, this riveting and revealing novel follows the formative years of Malcolm Little, who would become Malcolm X. From his troubled childhood, involvement in hustling and nightlife, to his eventual imprisonment and discovery of faith, the novel 'X' encapsulates the early life experiences that shaped him into a key figure whose words and actions continued to impact the world. The narrative portrays Malcolm's struggle with his identity, the illusions of freedom, and his relentless quest for a voice amidst adversity. 'Betty Before X' is a powerful middle-grade fictionalized account of the childhood activism of Betty Shabazz, Malcolm X’s wife, written by their daughter Ilyasah Shabazz. In Detroit, 1945, eleven-year-old Betty’s house doesn’t quite feel like home. She believes her mother loves her, but she can’t shake the feeling that her mother doesn’t want her. Church helps those worries fade, if only for a little while. The singing, the preaching, the speeches from guest activists like Paul Robeson and Thurgood Marshall stir African Americans in her community to stand up for their rights. Betty quickly finds confidence and purpose in volunteering for the Housewives League, an organization that supports black-owned businesses. Soon, the American civil rights icon we now know as Dr. Betty Shabazz is born. Inspired by Betty's real life—but expanded upon and fictionalized through collaboration with novelist Renée Watson—Ilyasah Shabazz illuminates four poignant years in her mother’s childhood with this book, painting an inspiring portrait of a girl overcoming the challenges of self-acceptance and belonging that will resonate with young readers today.