Betty Before X

"Betty Before X" delves into the transformative early years of Betty Shabazz, a monumental figure in the civil rights movement and later the wife of Malcolm X. Authored by their daughter Ilyasah Shabazz, with contributions from novelist Renée Watson, this middle-grade novel is a richly fictionalized yet deeply resonant portrayal of young Betty’s life in 1945 Detroit. Amidst feelings of displacement in her own home, Betty finds solace and empowerment in her local church, where speeches by activists like Paul Robeson and Thurgood Marshall ignite her passion for justice. As she becomes involved with the Housewives League, supporting black-owned businesses, we witness the awakening of a leader. Praised for its emotional depth and historical authenticity, "Betty Before X" has received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal, marking it as a significant tool for discussion and education on racial justice for middle-school readers. Published on December 31, 2018, this book promises to inspire and challenge young readers to think critically about the roots and complexities of social justice.