Betty Before X

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with their place in the world, feeling overlooked, or asking deep questions about fairness and justice. While many know Betty Shabazz as the wife of Malcolm X, this middle grade novel focuses on her own formative years in 1940s Detroit. It is a sensitive exploration of a young girl navigating a complicated relationship with her birth mother while finding refuge and purpose in the activism of the Housewives League and her local church community. Parents will appreciate how the story models turning personal loneliness into social action. It is a powerful choice for children aged 8 to 12 who are beginning to notice systemic inequalities and need a roadmap for how to respond with grace and courage. Through Betty's eyes, readers learn that finding your voice is a journey that starts with small acts of kindness and self-reflection.