Betty Before X

Overview

*A New York Public Library Best Children's Book of 2018!* *A Washington Post Best Children's Book of 2018**A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2018*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. This title has Common Core connections.

Details

Publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Published

2018-01-02

Pages

248

Language

EN

Categories

Juvenile Fiction / Biographical / United States, Juvenile Fiction / African American & Black, Juvenile Fiction / Family / General, Juvenile Fiction / Family / Blended Families, Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 20th Century, Juvenile Fiction / Places / United States, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Prejudice & Racism, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Activism & Social Justice

ISBN-13

9780374306106