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Betty Before X
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.
Backmatter included.
"[T]his 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." ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review
" Absorbing . . . History comes alive in this illuminating portrayal of the early life of this civil rights activist." ― Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An excellent work of historical fiction that will illuminate and spark discussion." ― School Library Journal, starred review
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.
Backmatter included.
"[T]his 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." ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review
" Absorbing . . . History comes alive in this illuminating portrayal of the early life of this civil rights activist." ― Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An excellent work of historical fiction that will illuminate and spark discussion." ― School Library Journal, starred review
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2018
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3071 people want to read
About the author
Ilyasah Shabazz
10 books226 followersIlyasah Shabazz, third daughter of Malcolm X, is an activist, producer, motivational speaker, and the author of the critically acclaimed Growing Up X and the picture book Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X. She lives in Westchester County, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 421 reviews
February 6, 2019
Here we get the story of Betty Shabazz as a girl, long before she met Malcolm, and had her six daughters, and got her PhD, and rocked our world, and it was narrated by the author, her daughter, no less. This book was for a younger crowd than a ya book I’d say, and yet, it speaks about police brutality, and lynchings, and the death of loved ones, and civil rights, and child abuse, in a way that younger kids can listen to. The book is just a short chunk of time, featuring Betty just living her extraordinary and ordinary life, going to church, buying shoes, being refused service, protesting violence, and changing the world. Heroes, we’ve got many. I’d also like to shoutout all of the history and context provided in the afterword for this book. I’ll share this one with my daughter when she’s a bit older.
July 22, 2024
4 stars
‘Betty Before X’ takes place in the 40s and follows Betty Shabazz through her childhood and adolescence. Betty is the wife of Malcolm X, but in this book, she’s just a young girl dealing with family issues and starting into activism. Betty’s story is important and powerful. I love that her daughter wrote and narrated it. I recommend this one for all middle-grade readers (and adults :))
A powerful middle-grade novel about the childhood activism of Betty Shabazz, Malcolm X’s wife, written by their daughter.
‘Betty Before X’ takes place in the 40s and follows Betty Shabazz through her childhood and adolescence. Betty is the wife of Malcolm X, but in this book, she’s just a young girl dealing with family issues and starting into activism. Betty’s story is important and powerful. I love that her daughter wrote and narrated it. I recommend this one for all middle-grade readers (and adults :))
Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Ilyasah Shabazz
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Middle Grade/Historical
Length: 4h 16m
July 8, 2018
This book is a narrative on the life of Betty Shabazz's childhood. This is the little girl who would grow up to be the wife of Malcom X and a community leader. It is considered fiction because of the way the story is told, but her daughter is one of the author's so the basic facts of Betty's life are true. The book is a short, quick read. It's perfect for kids who love historical fiction or stories about complicated families and friendships. I found it engaging and hard to book down.
April 1, 2021
This book is incredible. I highly recommend the audiobook, but I need to own this book in physical format as well.
This was so good.
Listen I never heard of Betty Shabazz before, so this book is my first introduction to her and her life. I love how her story was told. It was super engaging and so very interesting. I truly need to learn more about the woman that this wonderful, kind and brave Betty became.
This was so good.
Listen I never heard of Betty Shabazz before, so this book is my first introduction to her and her life. I love how her story was told. It was super engaging and so very interesting. I truly need to learn more about the woman that this wonderful, kind and brave Betty became.
August 22, 2018
This is a great overview of the childhood of Betty Shabazz - a woman who would eventually become to the wife of Malcolm X. This is fiction, but Renee Watson worked with Ilyasah Shabazz, one of Betty’s daughters, so the facts here are about as true as a recounting of history can be.
Presenting this as a story will definitely make this material more palatable for younger readers which is fantastic. This book breaches a lot of topics, such as social justice, segregation, and privilege (among other things). This is an accessible way for young readers to broach these still relevant political issues.
There’s also some very informational material at the end of the book. I really enjoyed Shabazz’s author’s note. There, she delves into how the book was researched and written, and provides some context to some of the changes that Shabazz made when recounting her mother’s life to better serve the story and its readers.
While it makes perfect sense for this novel to focus on Betty’s childhood, reading this made me wish that there was some kind of sequel planned that would tackle Betty’s later years as a teen, and young adult. The seeds are sowed for the great things she would go on to do, but I wanted to see those things first hand! I don’t mean for this to sound like a critique; rather, I want this to demonstrate how compelling this narrative was, as it made me want more. I hope it does the same for younger readers and inspires them to seek to learn more about not only Betty, but the issues she dedicated her life to fighting against.
Presenting this as a story will definitely make this material more palatable for younger readers which is fantastic. This book breaches a lot of topics, such as social justice, segregation, and privilege (among other things). This is an accessible way for young readers to broach these still relevant political issues.
There’s also some very informational material at the end of the book. I really enjoyed Shabazz’s author’s note. There, she delves into how the book was researched and written, and provides some context to some of the changes that Shabazz made when recounting her mother’s life to better serve the story and its readers.
While it makes perfect sense for this novel to focus on Betty’s childhood, reading this made me wish that there was some kind of sequel planned that would tackle Betty’s later years as a teen, and young adult. The seeds are sowed for the great things she would go on to do, but I wanted to see those things first hand! I don’t mean for this to sound like a critique; rather, I want this to demonstrate how compelling this narrative was, as it made me want more. I hope it does the same for younger readers and inspires them to seek to learn more about not only Betty, but the issues she dedicated her life to fighting against.
April 21, 2018
Up until reading this book I knew nothing about Betty Shabazz, other than her name. You could chalk that up to privilege or to my ignorance. Anyway, I am extremely grateful for the books that Ilyasah Shabazz -- the daughter of Betty Shabazz and Malcolm X -- has been writing. I read her fictionalized biography of her father last year, and now this one about her mother. Betty Shabazz, born in Georgia to a teenaged mother, her paternal grandmother suspected she was being abused and removed her from the home, giving Betty to her Aunt Fannie Mae to raise. The aunt died when Betty was 7, and Betty was sent to Detroit to be reunited with her mother, her mother's husband, 3 half sisters and 2 step brothers. For reasons only hinted at, Betty's mother (she calls her by her first name always, Ollie Mae) is very hard on her eldest daughter, and Betty's struggle for her mother's love is a central theme in the story. This book was an enlightening look at Detroit in the 1940s and the nascent Civil Rights Movement, as well as an introduction to a really strong and influential woman who deserves to have far more recognition. I loved this book!
February 28, 2021
Beautiful childhood story of an American hero. Prior to this book, I didn’t know much about Dr. Betty Shabazz other than the fact that she was married to and became the widow of Malcolm X when he was assassinated. The Malcom X movie shared bits and pieces with the works, but I’ve always been interested in her backstory and to my knowledge, this is the first time her formative years had been shared with such detail.
I typically steer clear of middle-grade books because of how much I have to overlook to enjoy the story as an adult. However, this story was rich with historical information I had no idea had even occurred, and really delved into what it must’ve been like as an African American little girl, living in the North during the Jim Crow Era. I found the stories heartbreaking but also relatable and I do think it was written in a way that would be palpable for pre-teens.
My only major annoyance was with the narrator of the audiobook. I really think it would’ve been better if a child had been selected as opposed to an adult since it was told from the perspective of an 11-14 year old. Also, emphasis was being placed on certain words that caused some of the dialogue to sound choppy. I like to omit things like that from my rating because I can still sift through delivery to the intention of the text. All of that said, if you’d like to learn about the foundational years of the cultural icon we know as Betty Shabazz, I’d suggest checking it out, you won’t be disappointed. All said, I’d say the story was a resounding 5 star read!
I typically steer clear of middle-grade books because of how much I have to overlook to enjoy the story as an adult. However, this story was rich with historical information I had no idea had even occurred, and really delved into what it must’ve been like as an African American little girl, living in the North during the Jim Crow Era. I found the stories heartbreaking but also relatable and I do think it was written in a way that would be palpable for pre-teens.
My only major annoyance was with the narrator of the audiobook. I really think it would’ve been better if a child had been selected as opposed to an adult since it was told from the perspective of an 11-14 year old. Also, emphasis was being placed on certain words that caused some of the dialogue to sound choppy. I like to omit things like that from my rating because I can still sift through delivery to the intention of the text. All of that said, if you’d like to learn about the foundational years of the cultural icon we know as Betty Shabazz, I’d suggest checking it out, you won’t be disappointed. All said, I’d say the story was a resounding 5 star read!
July 22, 2024
Betty Before X is a fictionalized account based on real events and people. The author, Ilyasah Shabazz, is the daughter of Betty and Malcolm X. She wrote about a period in her mother Betty's life when she was 11 years old.
The story explores themes of racial injustice and community activism, which play significant roles in shaping Betty's character and growth.
The story explores themes of racial injustice and community activism, which play significant roles in shaping Betty's character and growth.
Audiobook source: Hoopla
Narrator: Ilyasah Shabazz
Length: 4h 16m
December 16, 2017
I'm going to give this a tentative 3.5 stars because I don't entirely know how to rate it. The first half was beautiful, full of tenderness and humanity; I loved it. Loved it!
About halfway through, though, it morphs into a series of didactic adult conversations overheard by Betty before ending rather abruptly. When all is said and done, there's no real story arc to speak of.
The writing is approachable and this would probably be a fine introduction to the civil rights movement to a middle grade reader on the younger side, but as a complete story or early biography it has me a bit stumped.
About halfway through, though, it morphs into a series of didactic adult conversations overheard by Betty before ending rather abruptly. When all is said and done, there's no real story arc to speak of.
The writing is approachable and this would probably be a fine introduction to the civil rights movement to a middle grade reader on the younger side, but as a complete story or early biography it has me a bit stumped.
February 28, 2020
Such a sweet and informative book about a time period I'm not as familiar with as I'd like to be. A great take on historical fiction, describing the early life of Betty Shabazz. It's a great mix of transparent vulnerability and faith-based positivity.
January 7, 2018
Summary
Betty Dean, age eleven, moves up north to Detroit in the early 1940s to live with her mother after her Aunt Fannie Mae dies. Betty’s mother, whom she calls Ollie Mae, had Betty as a teenager and their relationship is distant. Betty isn’t quite old enough to understand why her mother tells her that she is ungrateful, ornery, and like her daddy, bad to the core.
Fellow churchgoers Mr. and Mrs. Malloy take Betty in. Mrs. Malloy is a leader in the Housewives League, and organization that boycotts businesses that don’t hire black employees or treat customers fairly. The goal is to, as Betty and Mrs. Malloy say, “Hurt them in their pocket.”
Appeal
I liked the time and place of this story, in part because it sets (at least in my somewhat naive American history mind) the beginnings of the civil rights movement and the forms of nonviolent protest to a different time and place. Not to say that the Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott story isn’t important, but rather to acknowledge that others did this work, too. At one point in the story, Betty thanks Mrs. Peck, founder of the Housewives League for her leadership as “an example to all of us girls, and even the boys.” Fannie Peck is the godmother of current day movements like #grabyourwallet.
I also appreciate the brief conversations and complications of what I learned in school about race relations. For example, I always assumed that integration was universally desired by black Americans, and it wasn’t until I read Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns that I realized that wasn’t true. Mr. Malloy questions the outcomes of school integration in a conversation Betty overhears: “I’m not sure what desgegrated schools are going to do for the Negro man. Let’s think about this -- what will happen to Negro teachers? What will happen to our children who will be sitting next to white children for the first time with no one preparing them? Why isn’t anyone talking about white children integrating into Negro schools? It’s imposing the nothing that we are inferior, and by having our children travel across town, it’s imposing the nation that white schools are superior.”
Period details also make this piece stand out: references to Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstein, Paul Robeson, the Rose-Meta House of Beauty, Nadinola Bleaching Cream.
Issues with comprehension
The title. Most of my students don’t know who Malcolm X is, and I think some of them will take the title literally. (As in, they might expect the letter X to play a role in the story.) Yes, it’s explained in the inside cover, but will my students look there? I am not sure. I might need to contextualize author Ilyasah Shabazz, Malcolm X, and Betty Shabazz in my book talk.
Recommended for
A lovely coming of age story that blends some family and friendship themes with a social protest backdrop. There are some heavy topics woven in here (lynchings, police violence, and riots) but those topics are protected through the lens of cautious adults and somewhat naive children.
Betty Dean, age eleven, moves up north to Detroit in the early 1940s to live with her mother after her Aunt Fannie Mae dies. Betty’s mother, whom she calls Ollie Mae, had Betty as a teenager and their relationship is distant. Betty isn’t quite old enough to understand why her mother tells her that she is ungrateful, ornery, and like her daddy, bad to the core.
Fellow churchgoers Mr. and Mrs. Malloy take Betty in. Mrs. Malloy is a leader in the Housewives League, and organization that boycotts businesses that don’t hire black employees or treat customers fairly. The goal is to, as Betty and Mrs. Malloy say, “Hurt them in their pocket.”
Appeal
I liked the time and place of this story, in part because it sets (at least in my somewhat naive American history mind) the beginnings of the civil rights movement and the forms of nonviolent protest to a different time and place. Not to say that the Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott story isn’t important, but rather to acknowledge that others did this work, too. At one point in the story, Betty thanks Mrs. Peck, founder of the Housewives League for her leadership as “an example to all of us girls, and even the boys.” Fannie Peck is the godmother of current day movements like #grabyourwallet.
I also appreciate the brief conversations and complications of what I learned in school about race relations. For example, I always assumed that integration was universally desired by black Americans, and it wasn’t until I read Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns that I realized that wasn’t true. Mr. Malloy questions the outcomes of school integration in a conversation Betty overhears: “I’m not sure what desgegrated schools are going to do for the Negro man. Let’s think about this -- what will happen to Negro teachers? What will happen to our children who will be sitting next to white children for the first time with no one preparing them? Why isn’t anyone talking about white children integrating into Negro schools? It’s imposing the nothing that we are inferior, and by having our children travel across town, it’s imposing the nation that white schools are superior.”
Period details also make this piece stand out: references to Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstein, Paul Robeson, the Rose-Meta House of Beauty, Nadinola Bleaching Cream.
Issues with comprehension
The title. Most of my students don’t know who Malcolm X is, and I think some of them will take the title literally. (As in, they might expect the letter X to play a role in the story.) Yes, it’s explained in the inside cover, but will my students look there? I am not sure. I might need to contextualize author Ilyasah Shabazz, Malcolm X, and Betty Shabazz in my book talk.
Recommended for
A lovely coming of age story that blends some family and friendship themes with a social protest backdrop. There are some heavy topics woven in here (lynchings, police violence, and riots) but those topics are protected through the lens of cautious adults and somewhat naive children.
February 5, 2023
I found myself unable to put this book down, so I finished the whole thing in one sitting.
In this story, we see the childhood of Betty Shabazz and the people and events that shaped her in her formative years. She is born to a teenage mother but then raised by her aunt. When her aunt dies, she is sent to live with her mother, who has married and has 3 more daughters. She has a difficult relationship with her mother, who she calls Ollie Mae. When she tries to run away, she's taken in by the Malloys, a married couple from church who cares deeply for Betty. The Malloys are activists, and Mrs. Malloy is a leader in the Housewives League, which works towards boycotting businesses that won't hire black employees. She teaches Betty about activism, but also how to find the good in life even when everything appears to be terrible.
I think this book is a fantastic introduction to the civil rights movement. It's set in the second half of the 1940s in Detroit, so it's still years away from Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr, which I think is important - it shows that people were working and fighting for equality all along and in all parts of the country, not just in the south in the late 50s and 60s. And there are some really great conversations about race that Betty overhears. There are many famous people mentioned, Jazz music, and magazines like Ebony - there are so many interesting rabbit trails to visit as you read!
The writing is good, though there isn't really an overarching plot - it's more of a slice-of-life type of story. Betty is an inspiring character and I think children will resonate with her story.
I recommend this book for ages 10+.
In this story, we see the childhood of Betty Shabazz and the people and events that shaped her in her formative years. She is born to a teenage mother but then raised by her aunt. When her aunt dies, she is sent to live with her mother, who has married and has 3 more daughters. She has a difficult relationship with her mother, who she calls Ollie Mae. When she tries to run away, she's taken in by the Malloys, a married couple from church who cares deeply for Betty. The Malloys are activists, and Mrs. Malloy is a leader in the Housewives League, which works towards boycotting businesses that won't hire black employees. She teaches Betty about activism, but also how to find the good in life even when everything appears to be terrible.
I think this book is a fantastic introduction to the civil rights movement. It's set in the second half of the 1940s in Detroit, so it's still years away from Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr, which I think is important - it shows that people were working and fighting for equality all along and in all parts of the country, not just in the south in the late 50s and 60s. And there are some really great conversations about race that Betty overhears. There are many famous people mentioned, Jazz music, and magazines like Ebony - there are so many interesting rabbit trails to visit as you read!
The writing is good, though there isn't really an overarching plot - it's more of a slice-of-life type of story. Betty is an inspiring character and I think children will resonate with her story.
I recommend this book for ages 10+.
January 27, 2025
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.
December 25, 2020
I listened to part of Betty Before X, read by the author Ilyasah Shabazz, third daughter of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, and I finished it by reading the ebook.
This middle grade novelized account of Betty Shabazz’s childhood, co-written by Reneé Watson, was absolutely delightful - and at the same time illustrated well the struggles of Black people in America, many of which haven’t changed all that much in the past 70 years.
I’m so happy to have been introduced to Dr. Betty Shabazz’s life. As Ilyasah explains in the Author’s Note, “My mother ... was a phenomenal woman. ... Her willingness to forgive, her passion for family, her love of sisterhood, and her dedication to standing up against injustice were cultivated in her early years.”
This middle grade novelized account of Betty Shabazz’s childhood, co-written by Reneé Watson, was absolutely delightful - and at the same time illustrated well the struggles of Black people in America, many of which haven’t changed all that much in the past 70 years.
I’m so happy to have been introduced to Dr. Betty Shabazz’s life. As Ilyasah explains in the Author’s Note, “My mother ... was a phenomenal woman. ... Her willingness to forgive, her passion for family, her love of sisterhood, and her dedication to standing up against injustice were cultivated in her early years.”
December 28, 2018
Great historical fiction book on childhood of Dr. Betty Shabazz, wife of Malcolm X. I learned so much from this., and hope young readers will enjoy it, too. (Library)
September 5, 2018
A really good and super informative middle grade book. I'm glad I got to know a little more about Betty Shabazz. The book was hard to read sometimes because of the subject matters it dealt with (trigger warnings for racism and racially charged violence, including lynchings), but it dealt with these subject matters in a great way. I would definitely recommend this book.
July 30, 2019
god bog for unge revolutionære
December 29, 2017
I have seen quite a bit of publicity about this ttile, and am glad I took the time to read it. Betty is a strong, loving, forgiving character shown by her continued love and her respect for her mother despite her living away from her much of the time. Betty’s character experiences much during the story set in the 1940s of Detroit. Readers learn about to the efforts to improve conditions of African-Americans as well.
September 13, 2020
Though at times heartbreaking, this was still an enjoyable and uplifting read, and I am grateful to Ilyasah for wanting to add to her mother's story and show that children can be called to care about their communities of their own volition.
I'm also glad it didn't shy away from her experiences with racism nor the actual violence, even though written for children. Because often times, America's history gets downplayed or sugar coated in the name of "protection," but that so called protection often leads to more harm. I also like that the paperback edition is illustrated by the fantastic artist Geneva B.
Naturally having read more about Malcolm I wanted to know more about Betty, this was one of the first and only works available at the time so I went for it. Growing up Malcolm X and MLK Jr. were known to me, but in terms of learning about them in school...they were essentially footnotes, and their wives hardly received any mention aside from their obvious widowhood. It's a shame that I'm learning more about their contributions as an adult, but at the same time, at least I'm still learning.
I'm also glad it didn't shy away from her experiences with racism nor the actual violence, even though written for children. Because often times, America's history gets downplayed or sugar coated in the name of "protection," but that so called protection often leads to more harm. I also like that the paperback edition is illustrated by the fantastic artist Geneva B.
Naturally having read more about Malcolm I wanted to know more about Betty, this was one of the first and only works available at the time so I went for it. Growing up Malcolm X and MLK Jr. were known to me, but in terms of learning about them in school...they were essentially footnotes, and their wives hardly received any mention aside from their obvious widowhood. It's a shame that I'm learning more about their contributions as an adult, but at the same time, at least I'm still learning.
December 11, 2017
I read an ARC of this fascinating story about the childhood of Dr. Betty Shabazz. This is the kind of book that makes history come to life, and I sure wish I had more of these available as a younger reader. It did end apruptly- I had anticipated more of a traditional biography, but this focuses just on a few pivotal years of her life. The back matter is not to be missed. This will lend itself to powerful student discussions.
December 8, 2017
Betty struggles with being an African American in the 1940s and her relationship with her mother, and friends. When she starts to volunteer with at an organization with some women at her church and with her closest friend, she starts to become more confident about who she is and figures out what's right and what is wrong. It is AMAZING and I could not put it down.
May 10, 2018
I loved listening to the audio version of this stunning book based on the life of the author's mother, Dr. Betty Shabazz. Betty's struggle as she navigates her relationships with her mother and younger siblings, the political landscape of Detroit in the 1940's, burgeoning friendships with other girls, her church community, and her newfound family and support system.
February 4, 2018
I thought most of this was quite good, so the spots that lapsed into telling not showing did stick out a bit. The endnote says some things were fabricated to be more educational, and in retrospect that shows and I wish they hadn’t done that. We learn a great deal just from Betty’s experience.
February 11, 2018
An important story that shows how the seeds of the Civil Rights Movement were planted in the 1940's.
Side note -- I'm currently listening to Their Eyes Were Watching God, (MASTERFULLY) read by Ruby Dee, so I was especially interested to note the connections between her and the adult Betty.
Side note -- I'm currently listening to Their Eyes Were Watching God, (MASTERFULLY) read by Ruby Dee, so I was especially interested to note the connections between her and the adult Betty.
February 20, 2018
Before she married Malcolm X, Betty was a girl full of her own dreams for a better future. Written by one of her daughters.
July 13, 2018
It’s a miracle I’m alive to tell you about “Betty Before X.” I listened to it as an audiobook, flying south on Connecticut’s winding Merritt parkway in the dark, well over the speed limit, with tears pouring down my face.
This wonderful historical retelling of the life of Betty Dean Sanders (later the wife of Malcom X, among MANY other achievements) is heart-warming, shocking, sad, and funny. I loved it because it offered the domestic and peer-centric warmth of a middle grade novel while simultaneously imparting a great deal of biographical and historical information. Like the proverbial spoonful of sugar, it helps the medicine of the early years of the civil rights movement go down. Written by one of Betty’s daughters—along with powerhouse novelist Renée Watson—it is well-structured, pacey and beautifully told.
Betty Dean Sanders was a person of great strength and character, even from a young age, and readers will find much to be inspired by in this book. Like most middle graders, she had a smashing mix of fearlessness and vulnerability, and here it is writ large against many circumstances beyond her control.
Bounced around from one household to another, Betty ultimately chooses new parents for herself as a tween, and then models herself on their brave, charitable, upstanding characters. It is a great choice by Betty, and one that lands her squarely in the lap of the beginnings of Detroit’s civil rights movement. Her rise as an activist was inevitable, based on her character, but it was her foster parents who guided her to her cause.
Though the story is lightly fictionalized to make it flow, the end of the book has twenty pages of actual historical information (including a timeline) that give readers the facts. They also make it useful for research, reference, and in-school use.
WOULD I RECOMMEND IT: Wholeheartedly yes, and especially for schools and libraries.
This wonderful historical retelling of the life of Betty Dean Sanders (later the wife of Malcom X, among MANY other achievements) is heart-warming, shocking, sad, and funny. I loved it because it offered the domestic and peer-centric warmth of a middle grade novel while simultaneously imparting a great deal of biographical and historical information. Like the proverbial spoonful of sugar, it helps the medicine of the early years of the civil rights movement go down. Written by one of Betty’s daughters—along with powerhouse novelist Renée Watson—it is well-structured, pacey and beautifully told.
Betty Dean Sanders was a person of great strength and character, even from a young age, and readers will find much to be inspired by in this book. Like most middle graders, she had a smashing mix of fearlessness and vulnerability, and here it is writ large against many circumstances beyond her control.
Bounced around from one household to another, Betty ultimately chooses new parents for herself as a tween, and then models herself on their brave, charitable, upstanding characters. It is a great choice by Betty, and one that lands her squarely in the lap of the beginnings of Detroit’s civil rights movement. Her rise as an activist was inevitable, based on her character, but it was her foster parents who guided her to her cause.
Though the story is lightly fictionalized to make it flow, the end of the book has twenty pages of actual historical information (including a timeline) that give readers the facts. They also make it useful for research, reference, and in-school use.
WOULD I RECOMMEND IT: Wholeheartedly yes, and especially for schools and libraries.
January 21, 2024
This is the tale of Betty Shabazz before she met Malcolm X, told by their daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz. Betty was born in Georgia to Ollie Mae, but soon was given to her aunt Fannie Mae when her paternal grandmother found bruises on her. When Betty was seven, Fannie Mae passed and Betty returned to her mother, who was now in Detroit, where she discovered she had a stepfather, three half-sisters, and two stepbrothers. However, Ollie Mae was exceptionally hard on Betty and after years of turmoil and Betty’s desperation for her mother’s love, she moves in with a couple from her church who believe in her future and her voice in society.
Regrettably, I had never heard of Dr. Betty Shabazz before picking up this novel. It is crucial there are historical fiction novels available for middle grade readers, and seeing such a beautifully written one exploring the life of an African American girl living in the North during the Jim Crow era was such a gift. As this was written by Shabazz’s very own daughter, the story stayed true to real life events; it dove headfirst into the trauma and confusion Betty experienced in her relationship with her mother and explored the lifelong mentorship between Betty and Mrs. Malloy, the very woman who encouraged Betty to become a junior member of the Housewives League and use her voice against injustice.
Additionally, there were conversations in this book that were immensely eye-opening. For example, I was always taught that integration, especially in schools, was universally desired by Black Americans. This learning has been unraveled in previous works I’ve read, but in this book, Mr. Malloy argues against it, speaking up for Black teachers, Black students, especially in fear of them not accurately learning their own history, and this overall assumption that white schools are superior.
Also, justice to Mrs. Malloy, who was Betty’s lifelong mentor and a staple in the Housewives League. She took Betty in, seeing the unsurmountable potential she had, and encouraged her to be educated and to rise up. It’s such a regret that Mrs. Malloy is an unsung hero instead of a prominent figure in our history classes, as are many of the women, especially Black women, who were prominent historical figures and never given their flowers.
To make this book extra phenomenal, the back of the book included a section describing Detroit in the 1940s; information on Betty’s church, Bethel AME Church, which was pivotal to her work as an activist and who she was as a person; a “Meet the Characters” section; and a timeline of Betty’s entire life.
Regrettably, I had never heard of Dr. Betty Shabazz before picking up this novel. It is crucial there are historical fiction novels available for middle grade readers, and seeing such a beautifully written one exploring the life of an African American girl living in the North during the Jim Crow era was such a gift. As this was written by Shabazz’s very own daughter, the story stayed true to real life events; it dove headfirst into the trauma and confusion Betty experienced in her relationship with her mother and explored the lifelong mentorship between Betty and Mrs. Malloy, the very woman who encouraged Betty to become a junior member of the Housewives League and use her voice against injustice.
Additionally, there were conversations in this book that were immensely eye-opening. For example, I was always taught that integration, especially in schools, was universally desired by Black Americans. This learning has been unraveled in previous works I’ve read, but in this book, Mr. Malloy argues against it, speaking up for Black teachers, Black students, especially in fear of them not accurately learning their own history, and this overall assumption that white schools are superior.
Also, justice to Mrs. Malloy, who was Betty’s lifelong mentor and a staple in the Housewives League. She took Betty in, seeing the unsurmountable potential she had, and encouraged her to be educated and to rise up. It’s such a regret that Mrs. Malloy is an unsung hero instead of a prominent figure in our history classes, as are many of the women, especially Black women, who were prominent historical figures and never given their flowers.
To make this book extra phenomenal, the back of the book included a section describing Detroit in the 1940s; information on Betty’s church, Bethel AME Church, which was pivotal to her work as an activist and who she was as a person; a “Meet the Characters” section; and a timeline of Betty’s entire life.
April 26, 2021
Betty Before X is a fantastic historical fiction novel based on the childhood story of Betty Shabazz. Betty is very active in her church community, as it makes her feel at home. She learns more and more about standing up for rights in her African American community, and her story is told through this novel. It was interesting for me to read such an inspirational story on a woman I had heard of growing up and learning about the civil rights movement. I think this could also be useful for my students to read to teach them that everyone starts off as a kid with a dream, and this could be a great lesson about standing up for yourself and having confidence that what you're doing can make a difference. I think this book would peak the interest of even third graders, but I would probably consider it for my fourth and fifth graders to read, simply because of both the reading level of the text and some of the content.
If I were using this book in my classroom, I would probably do an interesting engagement activity to lead into them reading this book. This could include asking them what they already know about Betty Shabazz and creating a sort of "profile" on her for us to refer back to when reading. I also think this would be a great way to incorporate reading into other subjects like social studies. When I am teaching a lesson on the civil rights movement, this book could be a part of a project my students do.
This was a WOW book for me because it was interesting to read about a figure I already knew something about. Delving deeper into her life through this historical fiction book really gave me a broader perspective into who she is and why she did all that she did once she grew older.
If I were using this book in my classroom, I would probably do an interesting engagement activity to lead into them reading this book. This could include asking them what they already know about Betty Shabazz and creating a sort of "profile" on her for us to refer back to when reading. I also think this would be a great way to incorporate reading into other subjects like social studies. When I am teaching a lesson on the civil rights movement, this book could be a part of a project my students do.
This was a WOW book for me because it was interesting to read about a figure I already knew something about. Delving deeper into her life through this historical fiction book really gave me a broader perspective into who she is and why she did all that she did once she grew older.
October 28, 2020
freedom is a strong seed- Langston Hughes.
I loved the book betty before x. why I love it is because it forces the reader to understand the concepts of the neago and betty and her friends. In Detroit in 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 olay for a little while. speeches from guest activists like Paul Robeson and Thurgood Marshall stir African Americans in Betty's congregation to stand up for their rights despite widespread racial prejudice. soon betty and her friend Suesetta begin volunteering for the housewives league, an organization that supports black-owned businesses, and Betty's confidence blossoms as she sees the real change her hard work can create. but when a terrible crime occurs in their community, betty realizes the right way forward isn't always clear. Before betty Shabazz met Malcolm x and became a mother, educator, and world-renowned activist, she was simply a girl. in this book -inspired by real-life and fictionalized through collaboration with lauded novelist Renee Watson - Ilyasabazz Shabazz illuminates four important years in her mother's childhood. here is an inspiring portrait of a girl overcoming the challenges of self-acceptance and belonging that will resonate with young readers today as they put down their own roots in the fight for equality.
I loved the book betty before x. why I love it is because it forces the reader to understand the concepts of the neago and betty and her friends. In Detroit in 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 olay for a little while. speeches from guest activists like Paul Robeson and Thurgood Marshall stir African Americans in Betty's congregation to stand up for their rights despite widespread racial prejudice. soon betty and her friend Suesetta begin volunteering for the housewives league, an organization that supports black-owned businesses, and Betty's confidence blossoms as she sees the real change her hard work can create. but when a terrible crime occurs in their community, betty realizes the right way forward isn't always clear. Before betty Shabazz met Malcolm x and became a mother, educator, and world-renowned activist, she was simply a girl. in this book -inspired by real-life and fictionalized through collaboration with lauded novelist Renee Watson - Ilyasabazz Shabazz illuminates four important years in her mother's childhood. here is an inspiring portrait of a girl overcoming the challenges of self-acceptance and belonging that will resonate with young readers today as they put down their own roots in the fight for equality.
January 25, 2022
Read as an audiobook. In a day!
Listening to Ilyasah Shabazz narrate the story of her mother's childhood made getting through this dull Tuesday a thousand times better. The book consists primarily of slice of life stories throughout a four-year time span (1945-1948) of Betty X's childhood. It begins when she is eleven and ends when she is around fourteen. This is important, because this is the age she is becoming fully aware of the world around her, the racial injustice and discrimination happening around her and her loved ones and to their community. But she is young enough where the adults in her life try to protect her and she still rebels against it.
Betty is a great protagonist to follow. She's smart and caring, wise beyond her years. I'm not surprised I liked her, though, considering I've enjoyed the real-life Betty X, in whatever media I've seen her in.
The writing in this book is descriptive, brought me right into the story. This is a middle grade book; it is not too complicated, but it does not talk down to the reader in any capacity. There are several societal and familial issues woven throughout the story, all handled gracefully in various ways. The only true qualm I can say I had with Betty Before X is the somewhat abrupt ending. With that said, I loved the rest of the book too much to be bothered by it.
Listening to Ilyasah Shabazz narrate the story of her mother's childhood made getting through this dull Tuesday a thousand times better. The book consists primarily of slice of life stories throughout a four-year time span (1945-1948) of Betty X's childhood. It begins when she is eleven and ends when she is around fourteen. This is important, because this is the age she is becoming fully aware of the world around her, the racial injustice and discrimination happening around her and her loved ones and to their community. But she is young enough where the adults in her life try to protect her and she still rebels against it.
Betty is a great protagonist to follow. She's smart and caring, wise beyond her years. I'm not surprised I liked her, though, considering I've enjoyed the real-life Betty X, in whatever media I've seen her in.
The writing in this book is descriptive, brought me right into the story. This is a middle grade book; it is not too complicated, but it does not talk down to the reader in any capacity. There are several societal and familial issues woven throughout the story, all handled gracefully in various ways. The only true qualm I can say I had with Betty Before X is the somewhat abrupt ending. With that said, I loved the rest of the book too much to be bothered by it.
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