Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson
on January 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0374306109
Pages: 256
Goodreads

Betty Before X is a well-written fictional account inspired by the real life of Betty Shabazz, wife of Malcolm X.  The novel covers four years of the emotionally tumultuous childhood Betty experienced searching for acceptance and belonging during a time of racial inequality.  Betty and her friends become involved in social activism demonstrated by her church family and others around her. Topics addressed include dealing with the loss of family, moving, blended families, illness, racism, loss of a close friend due to different beliefs, being loved but not wanted, lynching, and police brutality.  The author addresses these topics in an age appropriate manner while still allowing the reader to feel Betty’s emotions. Readers are provided with an excellent representation of how Betty and her friends are treated differently. Betty is a positive role model who does not give in to discouragement and counts her blessings frequently throughout the book despite many times when her day had not gone well.  Themes of thankfulness, being kind to others, and sticking to your beliefs when it’s hard permeate the novel. Readers from ages 10-14 will increase their understanding of what was happening in the 1940s while being introduced to popular activists (Thurgood Marshall), magazines, and music. Educators will find this novel an effective way to help students understand the feelings and differing viewpoints even in the African-American community at the time.

Reviewed by Heather Hale, Easton School System, Easton