Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography

Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography

by Andrew Helfer

Art by Randy DuBurke

AWARDS:

YALSA Best Book for Young Adults, Nonfiction

Helfer, A. & DuBurke, R. (2006). Malcolm X: A graphic biography. New York: Hill and Wang.

SYSNOPSIS:

This graphic novel traces the life of Malcolm X (i.e., Malcolm Little). The novel begins with a very brief historical introduction to slavery and racial inequality within the U.S. This is followed by some information about his parents--their backgrounds and interests. The book then traces Malcolm's life in chronological order. It depicts Malcolm's turbulent and broken childhood, his troubled and crime-oriented adolescense, his young adult experiences and education within the prision system, his conversion to NOI, his devotion to Elijah Muhammad, his work in building black pride, masculinity, and his role in the civil rights movement, his relationship with figures such as Muhammad Ali and Martin Luther King, his marriage and his children, his falling out with Elijah Muhammad, his experiences in Mecca, and his death at the hands of an assassin at the age of 40.

EVALUATION:

The book is informative and serves as a good introduction to the life of Malcolm X. It explores issues such as racial inequality, religion, prejudice, masulinity, violence, poverty, crime, drugs, the civil rights movement, etc.

CLASSROOM APPLICATIONS:

I would suggest this book as an individual choice.

AGE RANGE:

9th-12th grades

PERSONAL REACTIONS:

Although I enjoyed this book, I was also disappointed in it. The book followed the film adaptation of Alex Haley's Autobiography of Malcolm X almost too closely, and I was hoping for more insight and background. I was also somewhat disappointed in the illustrations; they were not as innovative or as enriching as I would have liked them to be. I do believe the book would help encourage and prepare a reluctant reader to read The Autobiography of Malcolm X. It certainly has made me want to find time to fit this book into my already overly packed schedule. I think this graphic biography would also work well as a supplementary book when reading Crutcher's Deadline.