Betty Before X

This is a really well done book -- great voice, great pacing, solid history -- altogether a very enjoyable read. There's a lot of faith in here, but even as a reader who does not appreciate the koolaid, I found it to be reasonable, compelling and appropriate. I appreciate the first hand account of 1940s Detroit, the positive activism, the strong bonds of family (chosen and not), and Betty's lively mind and unwillingness to take racism lying down. The lynching scene was shocking, and the murder of a 15 year old boy was awful, but both are depressingly important to depict.

The only thing that really threw me is the scene where they are preparing for the large tea party and making Lavender Lemonade. Mrs. Malloy tells them to use manuka show more honey, and that seems incredibly unlikely -- was New Zealand really exporting raw honey to Detroit in the 1940s? I'd love to hear more if that is true. show less

Apassion for social justice blossoms during the middle school years for the girl who grew up to become Dr. Betty Shabazz.

Loved but unwanted by her mother, 11-year-old Betty finds solace in friends and church. In 1945 Detroit, Betty’s African-American church community is a hub for activism in the face of Jim Crow racism, police brutality, and economic inequality. With renowned guests such as Thurgood Marshall and Paul Robeson coming to speak and perform, Betty and her friends are swept up in the fervor and demand for social justice that would become a movement. They volunteer for the Housewives’ League, a group that encourages the community to give its dollars to black-owned and -employing businesses. But the movement is also show more personal for Betty, who struggles to find her place in a world that treats brown-skinned black girls as lesser—less beautiful, less worthy, less deserving. Authored by her daughter Ilyasah Shabazz in collaboration with Watson, this moving fictional account of the early life of the late civil rights leader and widow of Malcolm X draws on the recollections of family and friends. The result is a heart-rending imagining of Shabazz’s personal challenges as well as a rare, intimate look at the complex roots of the American civil rights movement.

A personal, political, and powerful imagining of the early life of the late activist . (Historical fiction. 10-14)

-Kirkus Review show less

This book has an old fashioned, well manned protagonist that feels refreshing and simple and good. Were it not for the descriptions of lynchings and police murders, this book would be easy to fit on a list of books for sheltered children. It is full of the religious optimism of its adolescent main character Betty. the writing was very good, full of rich descriptive passages.

Literary Merit: Great
Characterization: Great
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Recommended: Highly Recommended

This sweet story of the childhood of Betty Shabazz, written by her daughter Ilyasah and Renee Watson, retells the story of Civil Rights movement of 1940s Detroit with a light and careful touch. Abandoned multiple times by a mother who didn't want her, Betty's quest for a loving family is arresting and inspiring, and serves as the warm, beating heart of this jewel of a novel. Betty joins activist groups at an early age, providing a great window into the world of historical black communities and the history of civil rights for young readers. The rich cast of characters are both likable and complex, leading to a rich reading experience for show more both middle grade and advanced elementary school readers. A wealth of back matter, including timelines, biographies, and historical context are indispensable for both educators and students. show less

This is a tremendous book, filled with acknowledgement of the hard truths of racism and abandoned children as well as the acknowledgment of the deep joy of hard work, friendship, adults believing in young people, music, faith, and acting to change the world when something in it is wrong. I’ll certainly be buying this for my middle-school nieces and nephews. Such a fine book!

RGG: Very strong fictional biography conveying the time, the personal challenges, and the racism while developing an empathetic portrait. Unfortunately, the cover targets the book towards younger readers than the actual reading interest of 10-14.

I'm giving this book five stars. It is a beautiful book and it talks about some more mature topics in a way that younger readers will not only understand but will also want to learn more. Beautifully written.