Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly – A Picture Book Biography of the Civil Rights Leader for Children

by Walter Dean Myers, Leonard Jenkins (Illustrator)

“A compelling account. A perfect blend of well-written text and well-executed illustrations.” ( School Library Journal starred review) Award-winning author Walter Dean Myers, together with illustrator Leonard Jenkins, delivers a compelling portrayal of one of America's most influential Civil Rights figures. Malcolm X lived by the idea that Black people should demand equality by taking their lives and futures into their own hands. With guidance from the religious leader Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm became one of the most powerful leaders of the Civil Rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s, and his beliefs live on today. This nonfiction picture book is a strong choice to share in the classroom or home, and for book reports and research by young readers.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, African American, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Cultural

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

pseudonyms:
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson

Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.

After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.

Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.

In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.

Reviews

[Addison D F2]

“By any means necessary.”
-Malcom X

A fire that burned too brightly. A flame that extinguished too rapidly. He was a lighted candle that knew in the end it will be blown out by a gust of wind. He was Malcom X, the match that set off a forest fire. Believing that in order to obtain change, required force, he brought a new perspective towards the civil rights movement. A perspective of violence. This book communicated the fact that his childhood has been a series of wretched events strung together by his voice for equality. And yet he still took a step after a step after a step. The bravery, courage, and passion this man brings under the limelight is extraordinary. Extraordinary and stupid. From the first day, he stepped on to the podium, he was a wingless bird. Gliding blindly till the day it was destined to fall. With no future. He was a fire that burned too brightly. A flame that extinguished too rapidly. But he was the origin to an inextinguishable forest fire.

[Tiffany C F1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spark. A flame. The wildfire that was Malcolm X's life --His perseverance was the fuel. His perseverance is what motivated and gave him the energy to succeed. It never stopped him from transforming what he has into success. His controversial speeches were the carbon dioxide. His controversial speeches are what trap the heat and attention across the nation with interpretations and his ideologies explained. His is fiery hatred of the white race is the oxidizing agent. His hatred and violent views are what demonstrated a different picture of the civil rights movement. Together, they all make up the fire. A red, hating fire that of radical black supremacy fueling the violence and terror enacted by those of the black panther movement. But was also the bright fire that voiced the inequality of African Americans. The bright fire that built a big momentum on Black Power. The bright fire opened my vision to a new world. What this book really stood out to me is Malcolm X's determination and outspoken dedication to his movement.

[Henry Z F2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Malcom and I would get along.




Malcom X to me, wasn’t a politician. He was a fighter. While others would try to push back the waves of life with walls and dams, Malcom X would charge headfirst into them, believing that he could clear out the ocean. Malcom knew that if the kept pushing, he would drown. He said before that what he did made it virtually impossible to die of old age. He knew, so he made sure that before he went, he would make the earth shake.
I don’t think I should be judging the book itself, because that’s not what it’s about, it’s about Malcom X, and how he fought for his race.

[Audrey]

"By any means necessary"

This was the motto of the controversial civil rights leader: Malcolm X.

Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1925. His father, Earl Little, was a black rights activist who pushed for equality encouraged blacks to participate in better jobs. Earl Little died 1931 under suspicious circumstances. Despite his family's troubles, Malcolm did well in school, for he wanted to use his intelligence to make a living. Malcolm later moved to Boston. He eventually fell into bad company, which resulted in him being arrested at age 21. During his time in prison, Malcolm read expansively, and, through his brother, became acquainted with the leader of the NOI, Elijah Muhammad, a radical black nationalist. After being released, Malcolm changed his last name to X, so as to reject the concept of slavery. He became a member of the NOI, and quickly became the most popular speaker, this owing to his fiery and heated speeches. In 1964, Malcolm left the NOI, because of disagreements with Elijah. He made a pilgrimage to Mecca, during which his radical views softened. His message was altered, and this threatened the NOI, so in 1965, he was assassinated by NOI members.

One aspect of this book shone: the use of Malcolm X's quotes in bold throughout. It allows the readers to experience the heated, pulsating passion and energy of Malcolm X, and really, really feel his message. The illustrations are also vividly colorful and descriptive.

The author explored theme of courage in the face of controversy, injustice, and difficulties. Malcolm X possessed this captivating quality. Myers compared Malcolm X to a roaring flame, and "like so many flames, he [Malcolm X] warmed so many with his leadership and insight. Others he burned with his opposition and scorn."

"And like flames that burn too brightly, his [Malcolm X's] light was soon extinguished..."

[jessicag]

This book was eye-opening since it introduced me to another side of the civil rights movement. This book really opened my eyes to the more violent side of the civil rights movement. Malcom X, an articulate speaker was born in Nebraska. A fire that was just being lit. Malcom Little was born in to a family that encouraged Malcom to speak out for what is right. His father, a civil rights speaker himself, was mysteriously run over by a trolly, and Malcom’s mother, supported the children by herself, and later died of an illness. A flicker in the flame. He taught himself academic English and improved his skills in reading and writing. These skills fueled his fire. He then got connected to the NOI by his brother and began to join them and work for them. Recruiting members in Harlem where he was the best. As his flame grows stronger. At the peak of his career, he was giving fiery speeches about civil rights, declaring people should get equality “By any means necessary” or that “There is no such thing as a nonviolent revolution.” This is stark contrast to the peaceful methods Martin Luther King used. He used his speaking to light fires in other African-Americans who were tired of being treated unfairly. And so, the fire spread. He left the NOI but continued to make fiery speeches, and went to Mecca to have a pilgrimage. It was there that he was murdered in cold blood. Malcom X, a fire extinguished too soon.

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malcolm X. The activist that fought for black rights. The activist that was more aggressive. The activist that died at a young age. Malcolm X used to be an amazing student at school. Yet, after a series of issues, such as facing his dad’s death. He got affected and his whole life changed. He didn’t believe in equality between the blacks and whites anymore. His journey of protest started from here. His methods were violence. “You don’t have a peaceful revolution. ” Malcolm said. Years later, he traveled to Mecca. He got a taste of unity there and changed his opinions. Unfortunately, his time was out. In 1967, Malcolm was shot when giving a speech.
That was Malcolm’s life. Tragic. Yet, we couldn’t blame him for his actions and thoughts. Before the trip to Mecca, he never tasted any sense of equality. Things were so unfair for him. He never saw the other side of the issue. The surrounding around him when growing up affected him. But he did what he believed in and fought against what he thought was wrong. Even when others disagree. He did what he thought was right and left no regret. That’s the point of living: to use all your energy and fight for what you want. Even though he died at a young age he worked hard and ended segregation.

[Elliott]

This book was a very intriguing picture book that thought me how Malcolm X took a more violent approach to racial equality. Malcolm X wanted to become a lawyer, but his teacher told him to forget about his dream because of his race. This pushed him to fight for black equality. When Malcolm moved to Boston, he started living a more illegal life that caused him to be jailed. In jail, Malcome learned about the NOI (The Nation of Islam). When he was paroled, he started speeches to inform people about his actions. Unlike Martin Luther King Jr, an activist who believed in peaceful revolutions, Malcolm took a more violent approach to achieve racial equality. He said, "You don't have a peaceful revolution". In 1965 Malcolm died at the age of 39. Malcolm was shot because Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the NOI, began to think that Macome's outspokenness made the NOI look bad. I liked that the pictures in this book could help the reader visualize and understand Malcolm's life a little more clearly. Even though Malcolm X isn't as well knows as Martin Luther King Jr because he thought violence was the only way to create change, it was very interesting to read and learn about the different ways people fight for what they think is right.

[Isabella C C1]

Why are people of color always punished for the good things they do? Malcom X, the activit that chose to have a more aggresive and violent approach. The activist that wanted whites to separate from black. The activist that read and changed in jail. Malcom X did well in school. He was really popular and had good grades. But, a teacher's comment ruined his dream of becoming a lawyer. The teacher told him he should be more realistic about being colored. This was when he knew that it was useless trying to have truce between the two races. Soon after that, he joined a gang and got caught at the age of 21. Books. Reading books was what Malcom X did in jail. In the letters he got, he found out about the N.O.I. When he got out of jail he joined the N.O.I. His started giving speeches. One day when he was giving a speech he was shot and died. How is this fair? Again, why are people of color always punished for the good things they do? He tried to be good. But no one, not even his teacher believed in him. When he was in jail he even asked himeself, "what happened to the bright boy he had once been?"

[Mizuna]

This book reminded me of how much blacks have had to go through, and how much activists did and risked. In the story, it talked about Malcolm X's harsh childhood and it showed his way of protesting with his fiery speeches. Malcolm X was once a part of the NOI but left when he started to disagree with their beliefs. After leaving the NOI and traveling to Mecca, he wanted to spread the message that both blacks and whites could live together equally as one community, but unfortunately, in 1965 he was assassinated by members of the NOI. Malcolm X was different from most Civil Rights activists, he was more aggressive and violent. I wish this book had a combination of pictures and paintings because sometimes pictures allow me to understand the situation more.

[Sophia Xie Gong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything about Malcolm X screamed resistance. His character. The way he spoke. His name. The X in his name erased his connection to slave ancestors. In stripping himself of the last name, he rejected the name of slave owners and replaced it with “X”. “Malcom Little” was no name for a civil rights activist. “Malcom X”? More like it.

Malcolm X was a troubled child born into one of the most unfair eras of the United States—segregation. His father was suspiciously found dead when he was only six years old. He grew up in a detention home. He went to jail for six years.

Malcolm had every reason to give up. But he didn’t. And that’s what makes a leader. No matter what life throws at them, they always find a way to bounce back stronger.

This book reminds me of picture books that are read out loud in front of a class of first graders. It only provided a small outlook into his life and only stated facts that were already quite well known. I wouldn’t read this book if I wanted to gain knowledge about Malcolm X.

Malcolm had everything a revolutionary activist needed. Charisma. Passion. Dedication. But, just like when a fire burns too brightly, it’s the first to extinguished.

[Lilia C F2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is about Malcolm X, a fearless African American who was inspired by his bold father. He does not want to give his whole life to discrimination, he wants his life to be as free as a flying kite that does not have string to keep it still. He was fierce. He was powerful. He was violent. Non-violent protests don’t work for him.

The part I found impressing was how much he learned just by self-learning. Where did he get all his motivations? Did it start from the time he went to prison? Why was it his mom that gave him the love of learning? Why not his dad? Isn’t his dad the one that influenced him the most? I just had so many questions in my head when I read this part of the story.

When I read this book, it made me wonder, why did Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr die at the same age? They used completely different methods and believed in very different things. Malcolm believed in using actions and violence to make changes, because he thinks nothing will change if there was no violence. On the other hand, King believes in non-violent protest to make changes, because he does not want more people to lose their lives. Does that mean there is the same risks between violence and non-violence? Malcolm also believed in having a POC country on their own, but King believed in changing the world when Blacks and whites live in peace. King made it, Malcolm didn’t, does that mean non-violence is better?

[Eugenia]

Malcom Little, a controversial American civil rights activist, was born in May 19, 1925. His father was a Baptist minister of The Universal Negro Improvement Association and supported blacks to create their own businesses. Life was peaceful for young Malcom until his father’s body was found lying across the town’s trolley tracks.

Because of his father’s death, Malcom was soon sent to a foster home. Few years later, when Malcom moved back to Boston, he was convicted a crime and sent to prison for 10 years.

Recalling his days in school, Malcom educated himself. It was during this time period when Malcom’s brother introduced him to an organization called the NOI. It’s this time when Malcom began studying about the NOI and soon be in contact with the NOI leader Elijah Muhammad.

After being paroled for good behavior, Malcom changed his last name to X, meaning rejection from the slavery past of African Americans, and joined the NOI. He began making speeches, communicating the NOI’s message around the U.S. His ‘aggressive’, articulated and strong speeches made Malcom X a ‘household name’.

As days go by, Elijah Muhammad start feeling threatened by this strong, young man. Their relationship became stiff. Finally, Malcom exited the NOI.

It was when Malcom exited the NOI he experienced the peacefulness between different races. His speeches start to convert to a more ‘non-violence’ way, but many were not happy with the sudden change. February 21, 1965, Malcom X was shot during a speech.

Just like flames that burned too brightly, Malcom X’s light extinguished at the age of 39.

[Ida]

The fire that can’t be put out with water. The fire that can’t be put out with hate. The fire that continues to burn after getting shot. The fire burning as Malcolm X. A Fire Burning Brightly gave me a fresh new perspective on activists that had a unique and divine idea of changing the problem. Malcolm Little, who was born in Nebraska faced a lot of tough issues when he was at a very young age. His father, Earl Little died because of a “trolly accident.” Malcolm was heartbroken. Anger roared through his whole body. He was a bright bird soaring but suddenly got shot down. Even though after Malcolm committed small crimes and landed himself in prison, not everything was bad. In prison was when he actually learned and became a strong activist for equality and took up the philosophy of the NOI. I was very surprised that Malcolm X reject nonviolent protests and supported the African Americans to have their own state/country. He was a good public speaker, he was strong, aggressive, and did not fear for his own death. He was a dead man walking. Everyone thought that Malcolm X would soon be assassinated since he influenced a lot of African American to stand up for themselves and take action for their lives. While reading this book, he also influenced me to stand up for issues that is wrong in the society. Even though Malcolm X is dead, his legacy continues since in the status quo, more people are protesting for equal rights.

[emilyz]

A civil rights activist. An African American leader. Malcolm X. Malcolm Little, a boy born in the years of segregation, takes action in the mission for equality. The book, Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly, was not my personal favorite. The storyline was not interesting the information being pretty light. It did tell the basic information about Malcolm but there was not much specified. The book was "boring" sometimes felt like I was trying to do my bed, which isn't that hard. If you are interested in Civil Rights and what people did for equality but the violent side, you might like this book a lot. Theres no blood, which kind of sucks but Malcolm is pretty cool. If you just want to relax and finally read a picture book without getting yelled at by your teachers, this is for you. Overall I would rate this "firey" book a 7/10 was not the best but was not the worst.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book which handles the life of a controversial figure in American history. But rather than focus purely on the controversies, Myers and Jenkins manage to tell a beautiful retelling of Malcolm X's humanity, showing that his life was one rife with struggles but one that was ultimately self-made. This will be a wonderful book for any parents who wants to teach their children of the incredible life of Malcolm X.

[ClaireG · Rating 3 out of 5]

“A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” These are the words coming out Malcolm X, a brave man who lights up for his own race. A man who is not just an activist, but a warrior fighting for justice to be seen. A man who is courageous than any other person. A man willing to struggle against being controlled like a puppet, and break all the strings.

This book told us how Malcolm X was changed by the horrible events of his childhood. His father being killed. His mother dying of illness. Being discriminated from everyone. He later got in prison for theft, and that was a major turning point in his life. He self-educated himself, and wrote letters to the NOI leader, Elijah Muhammad. After Malcolm X got out of prison, he joined the NOI. These points in his life was like gasoline to his burning fire, growing it, quenching its thirst for change.

After he joined, he encouraged a lot of other people to join too, and gave fiery speeches to tell African Americans to use violence to change how the world is treating them right now. He is the opposite of Martin Luther King, an activist who used peaceful methods instead.

As the fire grew, the opposition also grew. One day, while Malcolm X was giving a speech, someone came and murdered him with gunshots. Like a candle, it burns brightly, but can be blown out by the slightest gust of wind, a brutal assassination.

We might not notice, but the fire’s essence is still around us, in us, fueling us to become as brave as Malcolm X, “the fire burning brightly”.

[Felix C C1]

In the book, a fire burning brightly, a story about Malcom X's life. Let's start at the beginning of the story of Malcom little's life. when Malcom was still little, he was a bright child, he went to school and got good grade, he waS popular too. His father was a black rights advocate and was a great influence on Malcom's life as he grew up. He was living a happy life until his father died, and then shortly after his mother died from overwork trying to earn money, that is when his life of crime began. Malcom moved to Boston and joined a group that stole from apartments, but got caught and arrested. In prison he learned about the NOI, a group that supported black rights, this changed his life. after being released early, Malcom join the NOI and rose in popularity as he advocated for African American
independence, he thought that whites would never change and thought that they needed to fight for freedom. he took a trip to the holy city. of Mecca and there his views on the world changed but sadly he was murdered before he could do anything. that is the story of Malcom X's life in a nutshell.

[bettiek · Rating 4 out of 5]

“‘You don't have a peaceful revolution. You don't have a turn-the-cheek revolution. There's no such thing as a nonviolent revolution.’ -Malcolm X” These were the first words I heard Ms. Burns say when we were starting to learn about Malcolm X. Immediately, questions popped into my head: Who is Malcolm X? What does he do? Why are we learning about him? I knew that all the answers were inside this book Ms. Burns was going to read to us.
This book helped me a lot and basically introduced Malcolm X to me; from his early life to the time in prison and to him speaking up for the black race. This book was especially beneficial to me when I was writing my CSI on Malcolm X since there are a lot of quotes that Malcolm said. I feel like he and some other social activists are very different, for example, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Junior etc. They all support non-violence however Malcolm X believes that there isn’t a peaceful revolution.
I would definitely recommend this book to students who are learning about Malcolm X or just people who are interested in Malcolm X in general, he is a very inspiring activist who has his own opinions and stands up for his own race.

[Gabbie S C1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fire Burning Brightly is a biography dedicated to an outspoken activist, Malcolm X, who fought for African-American equality. Malcolm X expressed frustration, and bitterness toward the white community during the major phase of the civil rights movement from 1955 to 1965. It all started under the influence of his father, Earl Little, when he gave peaceful speeches about African-American equality. However, the peacefulness all ended when his father was suspiciously killed. Malcolm's life escalated quickly. Even though many people tried to back him down, his determination in black equality kept him moving forward. Sadly, Malcolm x was assassinated on February 21, 1965. His dedication towards African-American equality impacted many people and as a result, other African-Americans stood up for their rights.

[Willy]

Malcom X: A Fire Burning Brightly, talks about the "Firery" story of Malcom X. Born in May 19th, 1925, he was unlike any other Civil Rights activists. Malcom X had a more aggressive and bold approach towards Civil Rights. As I read this book, I couldn't help but wonder, "What was Malcom X's Childhood like, and how did it affect him as a leader?" This story begins with Malcom's childhood, where the reader slowly gets to understand Malcom. When Malcom was small, he excelled in school. However, at the age of 6, his father tragically dies violently at the hands of a trolley. After the incident, is where we see Malcom's life slowly go downwards. Although it was exciting to see what type of leader Malcom X was, it was particularly disappointing reading of Malcom X's death. Malcom X, a fire extinguished too soon.

[Annie L. C2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Concerning nonviolence, it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks.
Before reading this book, I was wondering who Malcom X was. Little did I know that he also fought for black lives freedom since the 1960s. Malcom X, a courageous civil rights activist who was born in a time of segregation, was determined to make peace for all the African American people living in the United States. Malcom X was born in 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, a protester who also fights for black lives rights, was killed when Malcom was at the age of 6, and Malcom’s half-sister, also a protester called Ella Little, was killed from a trolley. Despite all of these tragedies and that his mother became ill so he needed to be sent to a foster home, he was still very popular in school and had high grades. He wanted to become a lawyer when he grows up, but his dream was crushed when his teacher told him that he can be a carpenter. He soon started to join a gang that steals and took drugs, but quickly ended after getting arrested at the age of 21. In prison, Malcom self-studied by reading a lot of books and started to become “pen pals” with Elijah Muhammad, the head of Nation of Islam NOI. Malcom learned a lot from Elijah and changed his last name into “X” to represent his rejection of the “slave” name. After Malcom X was out of prison, he began to make speeches and became really popular because of his speeches. He had many admirers who supported him, but his speeches didn��t satisfy Elijah Muhammad. In 1965, Malcom was assassinated. It was suspected that the killers were from NOI as they didn’t like what Malcom X said about them.
This story made me change the way I see Malcom X. At first in the story, I didn’t really like Malcom X because of the way he approached using violent protest and not like King who used peaceful protest, but after reading this story, I admired his bravery and I understood why Malcom X would use violent protest and not peaceful protest. This book really changed my understanding of him. Even if it is a picture book, this book made me learn a lot of new information and changed my perspective of people, and therefore, this book deserves a five-star rating.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on impulse at the library. I was walking past the display of picture books, and was surprised to see a Malcolm X book included on the Black History Month display. I thought in my head, "That's odd," and also, "It's going to be terrible, isn't it..." Then I saw that it was written by Walter Dean Myers and thought that I actually trusted him to do a decent job, and he does.

At least in my elementary, middle and high school education, Malcolm X was non-existent, possibly even effectively censored. Assuming that your American history class would actually make it beyond World War II, it was as if the only important people in the Civil Rights Movement were Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. Also, everything was portrayed as peaceful singing and roses, as well as complete solidarity among the African-American community, none of which is true. While A Fire Burning Brightly doesn't go into great detail, the bare bones information is there, as well as thoughtfully-chosen quotes to illustrate the stages of Malcolm X's life. Malcolm X's life doesn't make for a tidy narrative with specific "lessons" for kids, but that's what I like about this book:

"Malcolm X was a complex man living in a complex time of turmoil and change. He had blazed his way through the history of the fifties and sixties in America. And like so many flames, he warmed many...Others he burned...And like flames that burn too brightly, his light was too soon extinguished."

In my opinion, kids are smart enough to process complexity, and they're never going to develop an ability to empathize and generate a framework for understanding the complex tapestry of history if people like Malcolm X, a follower of Islam, who initially advocated for separation between the races, and who didn't believe that blacks could achieve equal rights through non-violence alone, are sanitized from kids' classrooms and books. This provides a good starting point.

P.S. I enjoyed the cool color palette and the paintings by Leonard Jenkins.

[Ethan Z C1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly is about Malcolm X, a civil rights leader who believed that violence would get them ahead in protests. When I read this book, I noticed that he is different from a lot of other activists because many other activists that I learned about were non-violent and believed that peaceful protests would get them ahead.

The story begins on May 19, 1925, Omaha, Nebraska where originally he was called Malcolm Little. When he was little his dad cared about the issue and he was the president of the U.N.I.A. (Universal Negro Improvement Association) but his dad was later killed in 1931. He was doing well in school and was a active student but his teachers didn't care about his future so he moved to Boston with his half sister and started a new life there.

He soon decides to make bad decisions and gets sent to jail. While in jail he thought about his past and how he wanted to be his dad, he spent his time in jail reading. But what made him start his journey was his brother.

While in jail his brother sent him a letter that he joined the NOI (Nation of Islam). Malcolm X became very interested in the NOI and their teachings to the Muslims. He started writing to the leader, Elijah Muhammad. Elijah Muhammad told Malcolm X to consider himself not as a prisoner. In 1952 Malcolm X was released from prison and became a member of the NOI. In the NOI many of them believed it is better to help themselves which is also what his father thought and also took the last name X instead of Little which is his slave last name.

He went back he was giving speeches about black peoples freedom and he thinks they should fight for their freedom. His movement grew larger and he said black men should not drink, smoke, use drugs, steal, or commit other crimes.

After going to Mecca, he learned more about the NOI and experienced the sense of unity with the other pilgrims

Malcolm X knew that he wasn’t going to live a long life because he knew there were people after him.

In 1965 Malcolm X was giving a speech at Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom and suddenly there was a gun fire and Malcolm X died and later found out that it was the NOI who killed him, they thought he was talking too much about the NOI so Elijah Muhammad sent some people to kill him.

One part I liked about the story was how it taught us a lot and shows his childhood and the pictures, one weakness about it is that how it doesn’t show much of what events he held and some more information. This book is overall good and I would recommend this book to people who would like to learn about the black civil rights movement and how Malcolm X believed how to end it.

[EthanZ E · Rating 3 out of 5]

When reading Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly, I learned much about Malcolm X, the aggressive leader of the Civil Right movement from the 1960s, as well as about what changes he brought to our world, which was interesting since most of the memorable protestors we learn about are the peaceful ones that brought about change through peaceful means.
This book tells readers about Malcolm X. Born May 19th, 1925, in Omaha Nebraska as a black child, Malcolm Little met much black segregation in his life, especially since his father was president of the UNIA, short for the University Negro Improvement Association, so his family was targeted and threatened by many who disagreed with the ideas. Consequently, his father was killed when Malcolm was just 6, supposedly when his father was hit by a trolley.
Later, when Malcolm moves to Boston, he chooses to join a gang that robbed buildings. When the gang was caught, Malcolm was thrown in jail. There, he self-taught himself how to read and write. Over the 6 years he stayed in prison, Malcolm sent letters to his loved ones, which eventually led him to contact Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam, otherwise known as the NOI. Over time, Malcolm became interested in what the NOI was going for, as well as their beliefs surrounding black separatism. Once Malcolm left prison, he began speaking out for these beliefs, and for black freedom from white people, along the way taking up the name Malcolm X. As the number of his supporters grew, his relationship with Elijah Muhammad worsened, as the NOI had begun to see Malcolm as a threat.
Sensing similar feelings, Malcolm left the NOI. Soon after, he decided to travel to Mecca, the center of the Islamic religion. There, his view of blacks and whites began to change. He saw people of different skin colors, of different backgrounds, working together, living together. He now wanted to change, to bring upon a society much like the one he envisioned, but before he could do much, he was assassinated in 1965.
To those who may not know much about Malcolm X, this book would be a good introduction to him, as it talks about his life from a general perspective, while covering many aspects. However, it doesn’t explain much about Malcolm’s fire, or what change happened afterward. It leaves many questions in readers’ minds, whether it was intended or not. For example, why would Malcolm go back to reading and teaching himself to read and write if he were in prison? Why would the prison allow Malcolm to exchange notes with others like Elijah Muhammad?
Overall, though, this book was pretty interesting for me, and a good contrast to the historical figures we normally read about.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it.”- Malcolm X

Malcolm X was a civil rights crusader and black nationalist. He was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. His father was a spokesman and the president of the U.N.I.A., an organization helping blacks to get jobs. One night, his father was killed in an accident and the police found evidence that it what is committed by people who were against what he was doing.

Malcolm X lived at many foster homes while growing up, but he was a good student at school. He told his teacher that he had dreams of becoming a lawyer and his teacher said he would be a much better carpenter. This was one of the major turning points of Malcolm’s life because it taught him to live up to his own expectations, not those of others.

Malcolm then joined a gang, which eventually landed him in prison. There, his brother sent him a letter about the Nation of Islam (NOI). Malcom then converted to Islam and started sending letters to Elijah Mahammad, the leader of the NOI organization.

Once he got out of prison, he became a black activist leader and was very aggressive with his belief that black people and white people could not live together and that black people should have their own country. He was also promoting violence to assert the civil rights of black people and the NOI organization at the same time. His outspokenness did not sit well with the leaders of the NOI and Elijah Mohammed. They didn’t want NOI looking bad.

When Malcolm found out that Elijah Mohammed had raped six of his assistants, he left the NOI. In the following months he would make a pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the heart of the Islamic world and slowly his approach became less violent.

Malcom X wrote a famous autobiography that became a best-seller. In February 1965, he was murdered while giving a speech. The police suspected that he was killed by the leaders of the NOI because he became too popular. Malcolm X will continue to be and inspiration to black people and his flame will live on.

[Mykl · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading “A Fire Burning Brightly”, I thought to myself, “How come this man is barely known for his efforts in bringing an end to segregation and discrimination?” Equality is something we should strive to attain whether black or white. If only people could come together and realize that. Malcolm X, a man who was an African American Activist, tried to change the world into a better, a greater, and a stronger place where blacks could be accepted. To be completely honest, this book was enjoyable. I wouldn’t say that it’s the best book I’ve ever read, but it brought me closer to the fire. The hot, raging, and flaming fire. While Malcolm had many experiences with racism, his father’s death truly shaped how he thought about the world. His father was killed due to mysterious reasons when Malcolm was six. Apparently, Malcolm’s father was hit by a trolley but many suspect that the whole story was a cover up. One theory is that some white racists set out to assassinate Malcolm’s father, leaving the corpse near the tracks. “There’s no such thing as a non-violent resolution,” Malcolm once said. I honestly agree. Non-violence can help at times, but defense and violence are needed occasionally. Stories like these are predictable, however. An activist, who would later be assassinated by a contrarian, because of their ideas and beliefs. That’s how it would always end, and that’s how it always will. I actually wasn’t too surprised when I heard that Malcolm knew his life was near the end, when he was in his 30’s. What has our world come to? To just kill someone because of their beliefs. No hesitation. No mercy. Just orders from the Nation of Islam (NOI). He knew that people disagreed with him. He knew that people hated him. But he also knew that black freedom is more important than his life. His own life.

[Oliver C C1]

A fire burning so bright, brighter then the lights of New York; so bright that his adversaries deemed it necessary to blow out the flame. Malcolm represented the working class, the street people, and the majority of the impoverished black neighborhoods of 1950s America. He was unlike the well-educated Martin Luther King Jr. His aggressive approaches served a large contrast to the peaceful protests of his colleagues. The validity of his beliefs that the white communities oppression toward his race was a testament of their tyranny cannot be confirmed; but it certainly struck a chord with audiences around the nation. Unfortunately, at the height of his popularity, he was considered a threat to his colleagues. His split from the NOI marked the beginning of his end. His decision to change his views may or may not have been effective. His end demonstrated the tremendous discord in the US showing that living peacefully has a greater effect rather than scrambling like toddlers and squabbling with one another.

[Eliza Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The flames that caught fire and spread. Spread to those unwilling to catch fire. Spread to those waiting to be engulfed in the flames. That was Malcolm X; the civil rights leader who put a new lens of perspective over the fight. Even though Malcom had a harsh childhood and fought for the civil rights movement in a way unlike others, he still fought and overcame the challenges that came with his childhood, his fighting techniques, and even his race. I believe that Malcolm X, even without his own holiday, has shown many people in the world that getting what you want does not come easy, and when you get hit, you come back strong. Malcolm X died for his speeches. Died for leaving the NOI. Died because of the NOI. What more of a leader, an example, do the youth of today need than Malcolm X showing us that we can achieve greatness by fighting for the things we believe in? By fighting with the force that only a tiger can execute, with just the words that leave our mouths? Malcolm X was the flame that burned and caught fire, and it spread to people; the unwilling and the willing. It spread to us.

[Iris]

Malcolm Little, born on May 19, 1925.

From his father's death to his separation from his family, from being the top student to being a gangster, from being imprisoned to being one of the most powerful civil rights activists. Malcolm's life was full of rollercoasters. Malcom Little, mostly known as Malcom X, was a person with controversial opinions and ideas. Different from other peaceful civil rights activists, Malcolm promoted violent protests. He spoke his ideas loudly, despite knowing that his life might end as it had with his father. He influenced many people to join him and increased the civil rights movement. But, some things are inevitable.

Malcom X, assassinated on February 21, 1965.

"You don't have a peaceful revolutionary. You don't have a turn the cheek revolutionary. There's no such thing as a nonviolent revolutionary!" -Malcom X.

[audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of Malcolm X, an adamant activist later endorsing the amalgamation of the black community and society, was vividly depicted by this book through effective storytelling and illustrations. When reading the part explaining the death of Malcolm's father, I wondered whether Malcolm's polarized viewpoint was the result along with his strong sense of justice. The book started off with background information regarding his childhood and incarceration, soon progressing to a turning point in his life where Malcolm decided to self-study in prison and join the Nation of Islam (NOI). His colossal impact as an activist was conveyed through excerpts from his speeches and examples of his success. However, the illustrations did not appeal to me as much as they would if they were actual photographs of Malcolm X or of him delivering speeches.