Malcolm Lives!: The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers

by Ibram X. Kendi

In collaboration with the Malcolm X Estate, this powerful biography for young readers is a modern classic in the making, written by #1 New York Times-bestselling, National Book Award-winning author Ibram X. Kendi.Published 100 years after his birth, Malcolm Lives! is a ground-breaking narrative biography of one of the most influential Americans of all time.Dr. Kendi expertly crafts a propulsive telling of Malcolm X’s life—from birth to death. He provides context for both Malcolm’s choices—and those around him—not just painting an intimate picture of a famous figure, but of the social and political landscape of America during the civil rights movement. Ultimately, Malcolm's true legacy is a journey toward anti-racism. Just like history, Malcolm lives.With short, evocative chapters, exclusive archival documents, photographs from the Malcolm X Collection at the NYPL Schomburg Center, and extensive backmatter,this is a thoughtful and accessible, must-read for all Americans.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Middle Grade, History, Audiobook, Race, Biography Memoir

400 pages, Hardcover

Published May 13, 2025

About the author

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University, and the founding director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research. He is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a CBS News racial justice contributor. He is the host of the new action podcast, Be Antiracist.

Dr. Kendi is the author of many highly acclaimed books including Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction, making him the youngest ever winner of that award. He had also produced five straight #1 New York Times bestsellers, including How to Be an Antiracist, Antiracist Baby, and Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, co-authored by Jason Reynolds. In 2020, Time magazine named Dr. Kendi one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He was awarded a 2021 MacArthur Fellowship, popularly known as the Genius Grant.

Reviews

[Dusty Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've said it over and over again that I've learned more and more about the history of the world, my country, and especially significant people and events in Black history as an adult than I ever did in my school career. I am so thankful for resources like this to learn from myself AND to share with my children too in our homeschool.

Malcolm Lives! is powerful in both message and mood—it’s purposeful in its storytelling and filled with reverence for Malcolm X’s legacy. It invites kids (and adults, honestly) to see Malcolm not just the activist in the spotlight, but the human behind the name

Kendi does a beautiful job telling Malcolm's story (which came as no surprise to me as I have read almost every version of Stamped that exists and recommend them often).

You get to know his flaws, his mistakes, his grief, his trauma and how it all led him to be one of the most prominent figures during the Civil Rights movement. He was far from perfect but seemed to always be trying to find his direction.

What I really appreciated was how it brings in pieces of Malcolm’s story that kids (and many adults, including me!) might not already know. Like how he loved jazz and hustled in Harlem(hello conked hair and zoot suits!), how his father died under suspicious circumstances, the extent of his travels outside of the U.S., how the nation of Islam was founded by a white man masquerading as a black activist, and more. The book doesn't just drop facts—it invites readers to imagine what Malcolm might’ve felt in those moments, which is both a strength and a slight pause point for me.

There’s a lot of “maybe he,” “perhaps he,” or “possibly Malcolm felt…” sprinkled throughout. While I get that it’s trying to explore the emotional side of his experience (and the gaps in history we can’t confirm), And while I get the intention—to help kids step into Malcolm’s shoes and connect emotionally—I did wish that there was less of that and more solid, grounded statements, especially for kids who are still learning how to tell fact from interpretation. It could just be potentially confusing.

Also, even though the suggested age range is 10–14, I’d personally lean toward the upper end of that. There are references to things like extramarital affairs, lynching (you get detail on Emmett Till, etc), life in prison, domestic violence--these are heavy topics that definitely call for some mature conversation. Not a reason to avoid the book—but definitely a reason to read with your child or be ready for those follow-up talks.

I listened to this on audio, narrated by Ibram X. Kendi himself and it was paced well and he delivered the narration clearly, passionately, and thoughtfully. When we got to Malcolm's assassination (though I obviously knew it was coming), it gave me chills.

This book is a meaningful tribute that’s less about getting every detail “just right” and more about honoring a life that still matters.

Grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read an early copy of this book, but as always--my reviews are my honest thoughts.

[Rachel Detsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 I am so thankful that Kendi creates important stories and histories for audiences of all ages. He is certainly one of the most brilliant and audacious thinkers of our time.

That being said, Malcolm Lives!, written for a YA audience, may be confusing for young readers at times. This book contains incomplete sentences, randomly placed images of primary documents, and Kendi’s personal speculations about what Malcolm was possibly thinking at the time. Kendi also attempts to contextualize pertinent locations and buildings in Malcolm’s life by explaining what kind of buildings/businesses exist there today (early 2020s). I fear this will heavily date this book for future readers. I understand that these rhetorical choices were made in order to engage young readers, but I find them to be distracting or confusing at times.

Overall, I would still recommend this book to anyone ages 14+, especially to anyone who has minimal/biased knowledge about Malcolm X and his global influence. This book is a great place to start learning about one of the most influential American leaders of the past century.

[Miroku Nemeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ibram X. Kendi's new biography for youth on Malcolm X رَحِمَهُ اللهُ puts Joe Biden as a hero for anti-racism in the first chapter. Describing the vile KKK horseman who Malcolm رَحِمَهُ اللهُ mentions in the first paragraph of his autobiography as threatening his pregnant mother while he was in the womb (his father away preaching in Milwaukee), Kendi makes the strange analogy of the White supremacists who marched in Charlottesville in 2017 (if this book is for youth and this is published in 2025, that most likely would not be in the consciousness of most youth). Then he makes the even more strange claim (one that I have never heard before and no one who doesn't believe in the tooth fairy and Santa Claus still would buy from a cynical politician like Genocide Joe) that "That march prompted Joe Biden to run for president of the United States" (Kendi 6).

What?

Look, I really enjoyed Stamped from the Beginning when I first read it. I was able to derive useful ideas from How to Be an Antiracist though it had some problematic areas in it that were very idiosyncratically Kendi-esque and very attuned to liberal academia. I loved that Stamped from the Beginning was made into a graphic novel, though it had some of the same flaws that I saw later in the actual book I initially greatly enjoyed.

And I’ve enjoyed much of the other material in this book. Kendi integrates a lot that needs to be said about racial covenants, the targeting of Black folks by police, lynching, the normalization of racism, and all kinds of other issues that more folks are finally openly discussing and challenging and teaching on. I’m all for that.

But to sell Biden as some hero for Black folks and people of color? Genocide Joe?

It's written in 2025. Biden isn't a viable candidate anymore. Wasn't in 2024. So why would Kendi do this? Why is Kendi trying to whitewash the Democratic party and its candidates for posterity? Why would he introduce such a truly absurd claim with a transparent political and manipulative agenda into the first page and second paragraph of the actual beginning of his telling the story of the life of Malcolm X رَحِمَهُ اللهُ?

Kendi has some good, but be wary.

After that disappointing opening, though, Malcolm Lives occasionally finds its stride. Kendi’s chapters on Malcolm’s late-life travels are among the best in the book. In “Secret Meeting,” he portrays Malcolm’s 1964 gathering at Sidney Poitier’s home in Pleasantville, New York, alongside leaders like Whitney Young, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s lawyer, Clarence Jones. This scene powerfully captures how far Malcolm had evolved from his Nation of Islam days — no longer a separatist figure but a man calling for global unity, “tasked with reaching out to governments in Africa and the Middle East” to bring America’s racial crimes before the United Nations (303). The inclusion of this meeting helps a younger audience understand that Malcolm’s journey was not just about racial pride but about building international human rights coalitions and exposing U.S. hypocrisy abroad.

Yet the book’s treatment of Palestine reveals Kendi’s uneven grasp of history. On page 313, he writes, “Maybe he learned that this land between Egypt and Lebanon had been home for centuries to mostly Palestinians, who commonly practice Islam. Jews and Christians had lived there for centuries too.” This framing—however well-intentioned—reduces Palestinian identity to a religious category and completely erases indigenous Palestinian Christians and Jews. It omits the reality, recorded in the Ottoman census of 1896, that the population of Palestine was roughly 86% Muslim, 10% Christian, and 4% Jewish—and that those Jews were overwhelmingly indigenous, Arabic-speaking, and not European colonizers. Zionism, from its inception in late 19th-century Europe, was a European colonial project, not an organic Jewish revival from within Palestine. By framing it as a kind of mutual tragedy or interfaith tension, Kendi “both-sides” an issue that should never be flattened in that way.

To his credit, Kendi does call what Israel is doing to Palestinians “a genocide” (316). He writes, “Israel’s invasion killed more than forty thousand Palestinians in the year after the initial Hamas attack. A genocide.” That kind of honesty is rare among American public intellectuals in 2025, and I deeply respect Kendi for it. He further notes that “Israeli bombs destroyed most of Gaza, with many of them made by the United States,” highlighting the complicity of U.S. power and “angering many Americans. Including many Jewish Americans.” These are bold lines in a youth biography, and I honor Kendi for including them.

Even more commendable is that Kendi shows Malcolm’s solidarity with Palestine while publishing this in the middle of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. He recounts Malcolm’s September 1964 visit to Gaza, where Malcolm toured refugee camps, visited hospitals, and met Palestinian religious leaders. During that visit, Malcolm heard a poem by the great Palestinian poet Harun Hashim Rashid, who recited:

“We must return
No boundaries should exist
No obstacles can stop us
Cry out refugees: ‘We shall return.’”

Malcolm witnessed this poem and its message firsthand, and it deeply resonated with his growing understanding of colonialism and liberation. His empathy for the Palestinian struggle was rooted in his anti-colonial worldview. In his famous essay “Zionist Logic,” published in The Egyptian Gazette on September 17, 1964, he exposed how Zionism mirrored the logic of European colonialism:

“The Israeli Zionists are convinced they have successfully camouflaged their new kind of colonialism. … They have made the African masses submit to their authority and guidance without being aware that they are still colonized.”

And further:

“Did the Zionists have the legal or moral right to invade Arab Palestine, uproot its Arab citizens from their homes and seize all Arab property for themselves just based on the ‘religious’ claim that their forefathers lived there thousands of years ago?”

Malcolm’s answer was clear: “No.”

Kendi includes this historical context and even notes Malcolm’s meeting with PLO leader Ahmad Shuqayri, showing the alignment between Malcolm’s Organization of Afro-American Unity and anti-imperialist movements worldwide. When Kendi writes, “Malcolm saw Zionists as desiring a Jewish nation built on Jewish supremacy. For Malcolm, this resembled the racism of White American nationalists—like the Ku Klux Klansmen he thought killed his father” (317), he shines. This is where Kendi’s prose is strongest—connecting the moral parallels between Zionism, white supremacy, and the global machinery of colonialism.

Malcolm had performed Hajj earlier that year, in April 1964, and spent 18 weeks abroad, meeting African and Arab leaders before traveling to Gaza in September. His pilgrimage and travels reshaped his theology, broadening it into a universal humanism grounded in Islam and anti-imperial struggle. Kendi’s decision to highlight that spiritual and political evolution is beautiful and profoundly relevant for young readers in 2025.

Despite its flaws—its liberal blind spots, its historical gaps, its occasional moral “both-sidesism”—Malcolm Lives remains valuable. It introduces a new generation to Malcolm’s internationalism, his defense of Palestine, and his willingness to confront power no matter where it resides. It also frames Malcolm as an antiracist, which is fitting—because Malcolm was indeed an antiracist and also an anticapitalist. As Malcolm himself said,

“You can’t have capitalism without racism.”
(Speech at the Militant Labor Forum, May 29, 1964.)

There is, however, a tension in Kendi’s approach. His “brand” of liberal antiracism risks diluting the revolutionary force of Malcolm’s critique, which saw racism and capitalism as two faces of the same global oppression. Yet in a time when white supremacist ideologies, Islamophobia, and political hatred are resurgent under figures like Trump, it is still good and necessary that young readers encounter Malcolm’s example.

Finally, Kendi’s portrayal of Malcolm discovering in Islam “the tolerance and brotherhood of man” remains one of the book’s most moving achievements. Malcolm’s transformation after Hajj revealed a faith that transcended race and nationality, grounded in equality before God and justice for all people. If readers take that message from Malcolm Lives—and then seek the deeper truth by studying Malcolm’s own words—then Kendi’s book will have done something worthwhile indeed.

[Stephanie Biese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me want to teach middle school English/History. I won’t. But I would use this book.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Malcolm Lives!: The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers, Ibram X. Kendi crafts a powerful, illuminating, and deeply resonant portrait of one of the most misunderstood and transformative figures in American history. Published in collaboration with the Malcolm X Estate and released 100 years after Malcolm’s birth, this biography for middle-grade and YA readers is more than a retelling—it’s a resurrection. Kendi doesn’t just tell Malcolm’s story; he contextualizes it, breathes fire into it, and most importantly, makes it relevant for young readers today.

With a combination of lyrical storytelling, rigorous historical research, and a boldly antiracist lens, Kendi transforms Malcolm’s journey—from a boy in a Klansman-terrorized home to a global icon of Black liberation—into a parable of resilience, critical thinking, and purpose.

About the Author

Ibram X. Kendi, a National Book Award–winning author and director of the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University, is known for his groundbreaking work such as Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist. With Malcolm Lives!, he expands his reach into younger audiences without dumbing down Malcolm’s complexity. Instead, he trusts the intellectual and emotional capacity of young readers and presents history as both harsh truth and transformative possibility.

Writing Style & Structure

Kendi’s writing style in Malcolm Lives! is a departure from textbook blandness. He writes in a conversational tone that oscillates between poetic and confrontational, matching Malcolm’s own rhetorical rhythm. Each chapter reads like a short, digestible vignette—many are fewer than five pages—punctuated by real archival photos, primary source documents, and historical notes. The effect is cinematic and immersive.

The language is accessible yet profound, with bold lines and rhetorical questions that speak directly to the reader:

“History is boring when it is dead. And interesting when it is alive.”
“Race doesn’t exist. Racism does.”

This narrative approach reflects Malcolm X’s own speaking style—sharp, unrelenting, but always grounded in truth.

Content & Themes

A Story Rooted in Family and Trauma

Kendi begins not with Malcolm the icon, but with Malcolm the child. He situates Malcolm's early years amid the terror of the Ku Klux Klan in Omaha, Nebraska, and the violent racism that forced the Little family to move time and again. By humanizing Malcolm’s parents, especially Louise Little—whose intellect, discipline, and eventual institutionalization deeply shaped Malcolm’s worldview—Kendi gives readers a fuller understanding of the forces that forged him.

From the firebombing of the Little home to Earl Little’s suspicious death and Louise's mental health collapse, young readers learn early that Malcolm’s radicalism was a reaction to deep personal and structural trauma.

The Machinery of Racism

Kendi is at his most incisive when dismantling the concept of race itself. He explains its invention in the 1400s by Portuguese enslavers, and ties historical racism to contemporary realities with clarity.

For young readers—many of whom are already grappling with systemic inequality—this history is both a revelation and an affirmation. Kendi makes no attempt to soften the brutality of racism, but he also offers tools to understand and resist it.

Prison as Transformation

Perhaps the most compelling part of the book is Kendi’s portrayal of Malcolm’s time in prison. Kendi doesn’t reduce it to a neat before-and-after transformation. Instead, he delves into Malcolm’s philosophical rebirth—the endless nights copying the dictionary, the discovery of Elijah Muhammad, and the fierce debates that sharpened Malcolm’s rhetorical blade.

For readers in a school system that often treats discipline as punishment, Malcolm’s self-education in prison becomes a radical act of reclamation.

From Silence to Speaker

Kendi follows Malcolm’s evolution from student to minister, showing how he honed his voice through public speaking, debate, and disciplined study. By the time Malcolm emerges as the Nation of Islam’s most fiery minister, readers have seen the work it took to get there—something Kendi emphasizes often.

The iconic speeches are present—his critique of "the white man's Christianity," his reflections on Black pride and self-determination—but always grounded in personal growth.

Legacy and Relevance

The book ends with a reaffirmation of Malcolm’s teachings, not as relics of the 1960s, but as living ideas. From police violence to the struggle for educational equity, Malcolm’s message—“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it”—rings louder than ever.

Kendi doesn’t present Malcolm as a flawless hero. Instead, he offers Malcolm as someone constantly learning, growing, failing, and trying again. This is perhaps the most empowering takeaway for young readers.

Highlights

Here are some standout features of Malcolm Lives!:

- Archival integration: Excerpts from Malcolm’s personal letters, photographs, and datebook entries add authenticity and intimacy.

- Short chapters: Ideal for younger readers, each section is concise and manageable.

- Reader engagement: Kendi often breaks the fourth wall, asking readers to think, reflect, and challenge themselves.

- Social justice emphasis: From housing discrimination to racist textbooks, the book draws clear lines between past and present.

- Historical clarity: Topics like the Great Migration, the Nation of Islam, and the GI Bill are clearly explained without condescension.

Critique

Despite its brilliance, Malcolm Lives! does leave room for critique:

- Didactic tone: At times, the narrative slips into sermonizing. While this mirrors Malcolm’s own style, it can occasionally feel heavy-handed, especially for younger readers not yet steeped in historical context.

- Oversimplification of theological conflicts: The book briefly touches on the rift between Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad but omits deeper exploration of Malcolm’s eventual break with the Nation of Islam. While understandable for a younger audience, this gap limits the scope of Malcolm’s ideological evolution.

- Portrayal of White allies: While the focus on systemic racism is justified, the near-total absence of White antiracist allies might flatten the complexity of the civil rights movement for young readers.

Verdict

Malcolm Lives! by Ibram X. Kendi is a masterclass in radical biography for young readers. It’s fiery, informative, and emotionally gripping, serving as both historical education and moral provocation. While it occasionally leans into simplification or rhetoric, its core message—that Malcolm X’s life was a blueprint for antiracist living—comes through loud and clear.

This is not just a biography. It’s a call to action. And for young readers navigating a world still shaped by the forces that Malcolm fought against, this book might be the match that lights their own fire.

[Fallon Farokhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcom X's legacy is too big for a few paragraphs in a U.S. History textbook. His life, as short as it was, made lasting impacts on people of all races, all over the world. This biography of his, aimed at young readers, ages 10-12 and up, puts the complex history of the U.S., Africa, and other nations into terms that are understandable.

Dr. Kendi writes Malcom X's story from even before he was born. His parents' struggles affected him immensely. When people put Malcom X into a box and label him one way, this book expands the box and labels. Malcom X had a series of themes throughout his life that contributed to his outlook and decisions. When he was assassinated at age 39, he had already changed the world, which is extraordinary, but also lends itself to a myriad of questions.

Malcom Lives! is a story of a person who saw the injustice against him and other Black people, and wanted to do something about it. His voice was amplified through his involvement in the Nation of Islam, but he soon grew bigger than what the group's goals were. Dr. Kendi details Malcom's childhood and teenage years of rebellion that ultimately led to his incarceration. The book is full of primary sources so the reader can see what Malcom wrote at different times in his life. The U.S. government's role in his assassination also gets revealed, along with current events that mirror the racist society that Malcom was forced to endure.

This book should be read alongside Dr. Kendi's other books, like, Stamped, as it continues the story of modern-day slavery and people's attempts at anti-racist practices.

[Ember Air · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcolm Lives! Is one of the best biographies I have ever read, including those designed for adults. The book covers Malcolm's life, from before he is even born, to the after-effects of his life; truly an in-depth coverage of his life. It is written in such a way that you feel like you are viewing his life in real-time, and like you really know him by the end. Malcolm Lives! Gives historical context around the times and events in the book to help readers really understand what Malcolm was going through, dealing with, and experiencing. Along with being an amazing biography, this book is also an incredible introduction to the multifaceted Civil Rights Movement (Human Rights Movement).
I absolutely loved the documents and photos within the book. My poor eyes would have loved a transcribed version to go beside the letters for easier reading, but it added a lot of depth to the book to be able to see Malcolm’s and others actual handwriting and wording. It made everything feel more real.
The sentence structure was a little difficult for me to follow as it starts and stops; but, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi said he specifically chose this model to reflect the way Malcolm X spoke and wrote, which I greatly appreciate.
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, and am left completely blown away, and with a strong urge to devour everything by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, and anything about Malcolm X.

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ibram X. Kendi earns a commendable 4.25 out of 5 stars—a compelling and accessible introduction to a complex historical figure, written for middle-grade readers.

Kendi, a National Book Award–winning author, brings Malcolm X's story to life with clarity and depth. The biography traces Malcolm's journey from his early life in Omaha, Nebraska, through his experiences with systemic racism, to his transformation into a prominent human rights activist. Kendi's narrative is enriched with previously unpublished letters, photographs, and notes, providing a vivid portrayal of Malcolm's life and times.

In summary, Malcolm Lives! is a valuable resource that not only educates but also inspires young readers to engage with history and consider their role in shaping a more equitable future. It's a significant addition to youth literature on civil rights and social activism.

[Karen Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!
Share this book far and wide.
Give a copy to every school library, better yet, make it a required read.
We do better, when we know better.
The way Kendi uses and explains many terminologies in his book is beautiful.
Any child reading or listening to this book, any person reading or listening to this book can truly understand everything in the book, because Kendi weaves unfamiliar words and their definitions together.
I have learned more about Malcolm X in this book, than in any history book/teacher in school.
Thank you.
I have learned a great deal today.

[Iva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ibram Kendi has written a book for young adults. However, it contains an honest and mature exploration of Malcolm X's life, goals, and influences. The background of his early years is detailed, as well his complicated relationship with Elijah Muhammad and the National of Islam.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kendi uses primary sources and a deep knowledge of Malcolm X in order to tell his life story and unpack his legacy for a younger audience. While middle school or upper elementary kids could certainly read it, it will probably best resonate with young teens.

[Jennifer Ingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an expertly written biography of Malcolm X for young readers. Kendi clearly knows what appeals to young readers: short chapters, short sentences, concise, to the point, repetition, etc. It’s perfect for about ages 10 and up. It does not shy away from the harshness the realities of racism in our society today and historically, nor does it shy away from the harsh realities of Malcolm X’s life and experiences. This is a 10/10 and should hit the shelves in classrooms and libraries.

[Relena_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendi is such a fantastic communicator, and this book does not disappoint.

Kendi masterfully weaves together Malcolm's life with the rest of the history of the era AND, more importantly, the ongoing impact and lessons for today. This is a testament and a tool, which Malcolm would have appreciated.

The moment where he described a typewriter for young readers absolutely *sent* me, too.

Audiobook ARC supplied by NetGalley.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malcolm Lives is a well researched and informative book about the life of Malcolm X. Kendi, award winning author, writes history that is not only informative but easy to read. The book is quite long at 400 pages. This fact may be a deterrent for 10-14 year old readers unless they are big fans of Malcolm X.

Malcolm Little, later Malcolm X, grew up in Nebraska where his parents openly defied white supremacy. In 1931, his dad died in an incident the police ruled accidental, but in actuality, he was most likely murdered by the Ku Klux Klan offshoot called the Black Legion.

Malcolm was six when his father died. Traumatised by this event, Malcolm became involved in criminal behavior and developed a deep mistrust of white people.

As a youth, Malcolm endured violence, loss, hunger, foster care, racism, and being incarcerated. Still he persevered through it all to make a lasting impact, as a Black Muslim, a family man and a revolutionary.

Kendi has included, in this biography released 100 years after his birth, never-before-published letters, notes, flyers, photos, and extensive source notes.

Reading this book offers readers a front row seat into the intimacies of Malcolm’s legacy.

[Dinah King · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hopeful about this book. I love reading young peoples books about Malcolm X. I read and enjoyed STAMPED by Kendi and Jason Reynolds. I enjoyed the idea of this book: Malcolm X's legacy lives on in real and visible ways... However...
I'll be honest, I didn't finish this book but the writing style was so unbearable to me, I don't need to. Maybe it went over my head, but there were SO many periods where there should be commas. I'm talking every page, nearly every paragraph. I often felt like this book could have been written by a middle schooler who was told "make sure to include a snappy hook at the beginning" and they went too far. I tried reading this aloud to see if it worked better. I asked my husband to read it to me to see if a male voice was better. It wasn't working for me
The author talks down to his reader. Granted this book is for a young audience, but you don't need to spell out that "they didn't like racism" or "four hours of sleep isn't healthy." I believe anyone reading this book will have a basic working knowledge of the world and Martin Luther King/civil rights movement as taught in public school.
I hope and believe that Ibram X Kendi writes better for an adult audience. This wasn't it for me.

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcolm X's story hits differently when told through Ibram X. Kendi's masterful lens. This isn't just another biography—it's a deeply researched journey that reveals how a young man transformed himself from a struggling youth to a prisoner to a revolutionary through sheer determination and an obsession with learning. The detail about Malcolm copying down every word in the dictionary while incarcerated shows the incredible hunger for knowledge that would reshape his life.

Kendi brilliantly structures this as a "chronology of changes," capturing Malcolm's evolution to a human rights pioneer. The short chapters make complex global issues accessible, and the archival photos add powerful visual context. What makes this biography special is how Kendi doesn't shy away from the contradictions—Malcolm's time under Elijah Muhammad's influence, the moral hypocrisy that eventually led to deadly conflict, and the tragic irony of his assassination just as he was reaching new philosophical heights.

Even knowing how it ends, I wasn't prepared for the emotional impact of losing such a brilliant mind at such a young age. Kendi succeeds in making Malcolm feel fully human—resilient, flawed, constantly growing. This book proves that history isn't just about the past; it's a blueprint for understanding how radical change happens. Essential reading that will leave you both inspired and heartbroken.

[Shelby Banaszak · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written. Ibram does a great job explaining and relating to a young audience.

[Toby · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book felt like kendi wrote the last two pages for some university essay, got a few classmates to say “hey man this is a good essay”, then went back and wrote an entire book using siri speech-to-text and yapping for about 2 minutes per chapter. even keeping in mind the intended young audience, the chapters are mind-numbingly short, with lots of side tracking. of course its a biography of malcolm X, but theres lots of times where kendi starts ranting about something unrelated. an entire page about the history of gaza and israel without REALLY tying it back to malcolm. a good 6 instances or so where kendi describes what currently lies in a historical location mentioned in the book, but im not sure how that matters at all. repetitive chapter structure and short phrases that feel like reading a voicemail autogenerated transcript. concepts like depression and genocide are poorly explained and watered down in a patronizing way (“being really sad *all the time* is called being depressed”) (“have you ever seen adults fight?”) while concepts like addiction are barely touched on, leaving the assumedly 10-14 year old reader with skewed opinions of malcolm himself. sooo many instances of the author describing an emotionally tense scene (such as malcolm losing his father) with no emotions. “She cried”? really? that’s all you’ve got?

at the end of the day, it does teach the information, but i would rather step on a lego than have to read this again because it was just not a compelling, substantial, or influential narrative. i would’ve rather read a wiki page. the only reason i didn’t DNF this when kendi wrote “He was… (Record scratch!)” to reveal a plot not-so-twist was because it was summer reading

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of misconceptions about Malcolm X, spread in part by a white power establishment terrified - as it has been since the beginning of the American Republic in fact - by any suggestion of Black militancy. Whites turned to MLK, Jr. in the 1960s in part because they believed (not entirely accurately) he represented a more conciliatory alternative to demands for Black rights.

But as Award-winning author Ibram X. Kendi points out in an interview about this book:

“What’s striking is in 1967, Martin Luther King started expressing ideas from the Black Power movement that was largely birthed by Malcolm X. By 1967, King was moving towards Malcolm. King was talking about the importance of Black solidarity, and the recognition that there are these ideas suggesting that everything Black is bad.”

[Fortunately for King’s favorable reputation among whites, he was assassinated before he could make too many moves in that direction.]

Kendi seeks to correct the public record about Malcolm X, directing his writing toward younger readers, particularly those who have not had much Black history. The publication coincided with the centennial of Malcolm’s birth on May 19, 1925.

The result is a thoughtful, fair examination of Malcolm X’s life, that is poignant, compelling, and inspirational. Kendi makes great efforts to clarify terms and political circumstances from earlier periods with which readers might not be aware (such as residential racial covenants, the idea of “Sundown Towns,” the legacy of “Little Black Sambo,” overt racism in the police and among firefighters (it tends to be more hidden today) and the potential lethal consequences of that, and so on. But he is evenhanded: he also identifies Black behavior he finds objectionable when appropriate.

He poses uncomfortable questions when the narrative suggests them, questions that may be uncomfortable for readers of all races; he is interested in stimulating thought and discussion, and getting at the truth, rare qualities these days.

He even devotes space to explaining the construct of racism itself. As Kendi points out, “race” is a power construct made up in the 1400s to justify enslavement of Africans, which necessitated “establishing” a differentiation between “superior” and “inferior” races. [According to the American Society of Human Genetics, "Although a person’s genetics influences their phenotypic characteristics, and self-identified race might be influenced by physical appearance, race itself is a social construct"; . . . claims of white supremacy are "bogus.”] In spite of no biological or genetic differences, the construct continues to hold immense power both for those who need to feel superior and for those who have absorbed the message of inferiority.

As for the biographical content, anyone who has the least bit of empathy will feel for the injustices and repeated life-threatening circumstances that Malcolm’s family endured as a Black family trying to thwart racist “rules” and live in the same way and in the same places as white people. But whites were determined not to allow it. The story of what happened to Malcolm’s parents and to Malcolm as a young boy is horrifying, and quite painful to read about.

Kendi shows us how Malcolm Little became Malcolm X, and how a boy with so much tragedy in his life and so many disadvantages (such as being poor and Black) overcome all of it to become a leader that was loved (and feared) by so many.

Importantly, as Kendi demonstrates, Malcolm played a significant role in promoting the message of “Black is Beautiful” and encouraged cultural pride.

Malcolm was assassinated in 1965. His wife Betty was pregnant with twins, and they had four other children. The week before, his house, full of his family, had been firebombed, but they survived. Police claimed Malcolm did it himself “to get publicity.” Malcolm announced plans to speak on February 21 and reveal the names of those who actually did the firebombing. Five armed men came to the event with orders to kill Malcolm, which they did with multiple shots. He died on the stage; he was only 39 years old.

Tragically, the five assassins were members of the Nation as Islam, the same as Malcolm was. But there are still unanswered questions about the role played by the NYPD, the FBI, and even the CIA.

Kendi concludes:

“They killed Malcolm X. Then again, they failed to kill Malcolm X. Because Malcolm did great things in his thirty-nine years on this Earth. He told Black people to love themselves. He fought for human rights. He fought against racism. He fought against global White supremacy. He tried to generate an antiracist revolution so Black people - so all people - could finally be respected and secure their human rights. . . . When you have done great things people remember you. When people remember you, they speak your name. When people speak your name, you live. Like history, Malcolm lives.”

Evaluation: This is a beautiful, excellently-written book that would be a “must” inclusion in any library (designated for young readers but great for any age), but like Kendi’s book How to Be an Antiracist, recently removed at the direction of Pete Hegseth from the U.S. Naval Academy Library, among other libraries (and among other books by Kendi), chances are it will not receive its due. It is everyone’s loss. Highly recommended for all ages.

[Jason Kahn · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a disappointment. As a lover of Kendi's books & writings, I've changed my entire teaching style & philosophy after reading "Stamped" & "How to be..." And I was so excited to read this. And I am so disappointed. Staccato writing, tons of speculation ("perhaps", "maybe", "possibly" litter the book) and heavy handed, repetitive reminders of how racist America & the world is diminish what this could be. At almost 350 pages, it's much too long for a middle-schooler (I teach them I know) and the style is more for 4th graders. It was a struggle to finish.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

tl;dr: Malcolm X had an interesting life, full of tribulation. His intelligence and drive made him very impactful despite his own miscomings. This particular narration/style of his story though is written awkwardly and readers are better served by other books.

Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Bound Manuscript from a Goodreads giveaway, so I am uncertain if what I read is a reflection of what will be sold. The black-and-white photo softback I received does mention "This is an uncorrected proof" and that it will be sold as a Jacketed Trade Hardcover with intended audience of 10-14 year old "Middle Grade Nonfiction." I hope the book receives a lot of correction/editing before it is distributed (and hopefully simple things like higher DPI images also). The majority of my review is not regarding Malcolm X as a person but rather this particular retelling of his life.

Intended age range: The book is a 350+ page history book with some 58 images. To me, this seems a bit daunting for the intended 10-14 year old age range.

Style: The backcover says "Kendi draws on Malcolm's stirring oratory style, using repetition and rhetoric to tell this story." I cannot speak much to Malcolm's oratory style, but the books repetition of certain things was distracting instead of engaging. The style felt like perhaps different authors/editors were working on different chapters as it would switch-around so often. Many chapters have very-staccato, awkward phrases strung together - mixed with others where the writing was more mature.

Some examples: "Money to create jobs." "And a new unity." "Or went home first." "But far worse." "An additional charge." I realize that here in a review, without context, those examples may not seem so egregrious. It was so distracting that I began counting these as I read, following is a brief summary:

* Sentences beginning with "And": 148
* Sentences beginning with "Because": 77
* Sentences beginning with "But": 304

Timelines: In presenting history, time-of-events is very important. This book jumps-around timelines - sometimes 15-20 years between paragraphs - often without indicating such. An example: I was very confused reading about Malcolm X was hanging-out with Earl Jr. in Chapter 16 - when Earl Jr. died in Chapter 15.

Footnotes: This book does have references in the back - but there is nothing anywhere in the book before that to indicate it. Facts are presented without making it clear which are historical-truths. Editing to include footnotes at the end of sentences or at least on the bottom of the page would improve the book significantly.

Fact or "...maybe": Along with the unreferenced footnotes, the book is very confusing about what is real and what is presumed. For example, counting together "presumptive" words like "maybe", "perhaps", "likely to" - I highlighted some 174 instances where it is wholly unclear for the reader whether this thing actually happened or a quote is verbatim - or whether it is just the author's presumption. When presenting history it is understood that the author does not know every exact wording of every conversation, but when a paragraph begins with "Maybe..." and continues with other sentences stating-as-fact, it is confusing to the reader what is conjecture or not.

Modern Filler: There's about a dozen or so times where we are jarringly snapped from "back then" to modern times. It feels like the author was trying to make the work more relatable, but it feels disjointed. The subject will be a meeting in a building - but then the following 2-3 sentences will tell us that the building is gone now or is some store now. I hate to sound rude but - so what? None of these "trips to the future" seem to have relevance to the actual story being told. Every single call-to-modernity could be completely removed and nothing would be lost but wordcount (and some confusion).

Appeal-to-the-reader: Just like the modern-filler there are some awkward times (also maybe a dozen or so) where the author attempts to speak directly to the reader. Things like: How would that make you feel? If the entire book were more conversational and this tool were used more often it would not feel as forced - but when the "conversation" with the author/reader disappears for chapters at a time and then pops up just for 1 question it feels strange. These should have been increased and used more frequently or removed completely.

When I began numbering/highlighting the presumptive language and some of the awkward sentences (see above) - I also counted the combined words of "racism" and "racist". (I left out "antiracist" from this count despite it appearing significantly also as I feel it holds different connotation.) In 294 pages, this is found 217 times. I don't really know what to say about that. After all - this is a book about Malcolm X - so it's not like I would expect to not see it - it just really begins to feel weak when it's repeated so much.

I've tried to make this review fair and not derogatory, but this was really a read I struggled to bother completing - and purely because of the writing. Malcolm X's life was fascinating, but this retelling of it just was not.

[Michelle Kasten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lived and breathed this book for two days; could not put it down!!! The intrigue! The drama! It was such a page-turner!! And it all happened so recently that it truly feels “alive”—sadly, today so much is exactly the same as it was in Malcolm’s time. His legacy is so important because he was RIGHT about so many wrongs that still need to be addressed. We can’t stop doing the work!!!

I really admire Malcolm’s mind, his quest for knowledge and truth, his ever-widening perspective of the world and the people in it. It takes a big person to admit that you were wrong. An even bigger person when you’ve got a huge audience and you want to continue to lead, even as you know you’ve counseled them in a way that you now regret; the humility that it takes to ask people to give you the grace to learn…to be human…to continue to trust you and walk with you. Malcolm never stopped educating himself. Never stopped working for human rights. Never stopped loving.

Even if you’ve read books or seen films about Malcolm X, you will learn new information in this book. The personal letters included in each chapter really enhanced the book for me, made it feel intimate. The Nation of Islam, Black nationalism, nonviolence vs self-defense, civil rights vs human rights, federal reform vs international litigation…all of it was just so fascinating!

This is modern American history, current history, and it is intensely important. In fact, there is a chapter about the current situation in Israel & Palestine. It’s boggling how much of all of this modern history is intertwined! A sentence from one of Malcolm’s letters stopped me cold: “Before western imperialists and neocolonialists succeed by using racism to turn America completely into aye [sic] fascist state that can seriously threaten the peace and security of the entire world…”

My daughter and I had the great privilege of attending Dr Kendi’s book release tour in South Bend, IN and in fact, the local book store was so generous to donate 5 signed copies of Kendi’s book to my daughter’s middle school library. The librarian is just as big a Kendi fan as I am, and was thrilled to add them to her stacks!

While some of the events referenced in the book are troubling and of a mature nature, they are handled appropriately for young readers. I will not hesitate to share this book with my 12-year old daughter. One of Kendi’s most incredible skills is his ability to distill complicated concepts and events into very simple and straightforward prose—perfect for middle grade readers, of course—and I enjoyed it as an adult reader.

The pacing is excellent; “Short, swift chapters echo Malcolm’s trademark fast walk.” I just love that nod! I also love that the cover features Malcolm in a superhero pose. He’s definitely a hero of mine and now will hopefully inspire and instruct a whole new generation of readers!

I wish everyone would read this book and learn the real history, as extensively and expertly researched by Dr. Kendi. It is imperative for humanity. Thank goodness that Malcolm Lives! We still need him!

[Jan Peregrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ibram X. Kendi, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, has very recently come out with Malcolm Lives: the Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers and I decided to listen to its audiobook that he passionately narrates for almost nine hours. It's not simply for young readers or listeners. I've read much about Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, but learned a lot to appreciate him even more.

Kendi likely uses X as his middle initial for the same reason Malcolm used X as his last name: to signify that he no longer recognizes the slave name given to his ancestors and whose original family name is unknown and is an X.

I love that Kendi calls his book Malcolm Lives because Malcolm's legacy has never died. His human rights' activism for Black Americans has significantly inspired the Black Lives Matter movement today as well as movements since his 1965 assassination that have helped Black Americans to love themselves and find their voices in the face of white hatred or racism. He at first preached separatist beliefs, which isn't Black exceptionalism,,but in his last years he called for human rights for all.

Even though I've read Alex Haley's Autobiography of Malcolm X, which was the result of Haley's interview with Malcolm while the latter served a racially-inspired prison prison sentence, I was fascinated with what I learned about Malcolm as he sought to better understand and represent the oppressed lives of many millions of Black Americans, first through the skewed ideas of the Nation of Islam and then through his own internationally-informed activism. He became an enemy to not only the Nation of Islam, but the racist, status-quo-desirous U.S. Government.

I highly recommend Kendi's book, although you might better appreciate the print book version. I found his voice a bit shrill and distracting at times. Trying to sound like different people isn't his strong suit.



.Malcolm Lives

can we ever move on from the racist roots of our nation?
Can we ever accept that our founders owned slaves?
It's been over two centuries and not much has changed;
rich white Americans are still riding the waves.

Our country was built on the backs of its slaves;
its greatness indeed wouldn't exist without them.
Isn't it humbling to consider our debt to Black people?
That's why racism's roots became such sturdy stems.

Will the rich whites force another war to end slavery?
Will the poor Blacks need to fight again for their rights?
It's their human rights, not simply civil rights, you see;
malcolm x led the way in showing Blacks how best to fight.


America claims to be united, to be states democratically fused;
but who fill her prisons and are killed so often by cops?
How is America made great by becoming even more racist?
We must work with each other finally for racism to stop.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few months ago I listened to The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Afterwards I discovered this recently published biography and was curious about the differences between the two books. Plus Malcolm's Autobiography did not cover his death and I wanted those details. Since the intended audience for this book was middle and high school students, I was curious how the author, Ibram X Kendi, would describe Malcolm’s wild teenage years.

In Malcolm Lives!, Kendi frequently uses the terms “maybe”, “probably” and “likely” in describing Malcolm’s life. The chapters are quite short and he stops frequently to define words. Unfortunately, he defines so many words that older readers might feel that he is talking down to them.

Malcolm Lives! contains little additional information about Malcolm’s life, other than his assassination, and is about half the length of The Autobiography. Kendi clearly describes Malcolm’s wild years without going into much depth and repeatedly refers to Elijah Muhammad's sexual activities with his secretaries.

Kendi mentions racism so often that it sometimes seems that Malcolm Lives! is really a book about racism and Malcom X’s life provides the examples.

Malcolm Lives! is one of those books that despite being for a younger audience, adults will enjoy it too, if they can tolerate the many definitions. It follows close to the events in The Autobiography.

Another new book about Malcolm X, but from a different perspective, which might be interesting to read is The Afterlife of Malcolm X: An Outcast Turned Icon's Enduring Impact on America by Mark Whitaker.

I listened to the audio book which Kendi narrated. At times he sounds like he is preaching to the listener.

Rating: 4 -

[Sarah Krajewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the true story of Malcolm Little, later known as Malcolm X. As a young boy, Malcolm lost his father and didn’t have many who believed in him, so he dropped out of school in 8th grade. Seeking fun and excitement, Malcolm found himself traveling all over. He hung out with the wrong people, often getting arrested. At 20, he was sent to prison after being convicted of robbery. There, he met a fellow prisoner named John who introduced him to the power of books. After that, Malcolm read all he could, seeking to educate himself as he deserved. He left prison a changed man. When he heard about the Nation of Islam from his siblings, Malcolm joined. As Malcolm grew and became well known, many grew jealous of his drive and dedication to his work. In the end, Malcolm knew what was coming, yet he still pushed himself to teach others. A true activist until the very end.

Human rights, as author Ibram X. Kendi states, were something Malcolm never had, from birth until death. But that didn’t stop him from fighting for his own, and for all Black people. He taught Black people to fight racism, to love themselves, and to “generate an antiracist revolution so Black people—so all people—could finally be respected and secure in their human rights” (348). He inspired his wife Betty, others who knew him, and still many people who learn about his work today.

A beautifully written biography about Malcolm X for teens. I loved that Kendi connected the past to the present, and, at times, wrote in the second person to make the reader think and become a part of the story. Lots of research to check out too. Like all humans, Malcolm had his flaws, but so much can be learned from how he led his life. Can’t wait to share this one with my students!

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendi faithfully recounts the life of Malcolm Little, most widely-known as Malcolm X, from childhood through his murder at age 39. The account follows Malcolm through distressing incidents of racism and their profound impact on his life and thinking as well as Malcolm's introduction to and winding pathway through his understanding of Islam from his acceptance into the Nation of Islam as well as his continuing enlightenment from his pilgrimage to Mecca. Where facts about people's innermost thoughts are not known, Kendi presents logical and compelling possibilities for motivations. Kendi places all of Malcolm's actions within the social and political climate and actions of the times, both in the United States and in the many African nations achieving independence from colonial powers in the 1950's and 60's. The overall impact of the book is to show one man's evolution in thought and action over his life span and to leave readers wondering what other important effects on American society Malcolm X might have had if he had not been murdered, as well as to contemplate ways in which individuals can have a hand in shaping our current and future society until all people are equally valued by government and by each other. The only criticism I have is the author's comparison (in the context of explanation to nonreligious readers) of the meaning of Jesus to Christians and of Mohammed to Muslims, which is not accurate in its explanation of the position Jesus holds within Christianity. This book is an important resource for young readers who seek to understand the evolution of American society during the twentieth century and who desire to look critically at what progress, if any, was made toward the equal treatment of Black Americans within American society.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not well-written for the young reader audience it's trying to reach and that is disappointing. So much has been done for narrative nonfiction for all ages and especially for young readers-- this is not one of the prime examples. I was curious about Malcolm X's life as I have read some, but not a lot about him. I know some from the The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation and Kendi obviously knows a thing or two but it didn't translate for this biography.

It was dry, unfocused, and used vernacular like "wicked smart" that threw me off right from the beginning. It read like a second person narrative and I think it tried to be like Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You but lacked the punchy writing that sucks you in to that story (which is Reynolds' rewriting of Kendi's original work).

The chapters were short but the pictures were misplaced and unincorporated into the storytelling and for a galley copy not easy to read or interpret other than the description underneath it. It felt uninspired, like a long form timeline without the necessary flair of feeling something more powerful.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Malcolm Lives! by Ibram X. Kendi
🎧 Advanced Listener's Copy via the LibroFM Educators Program

Narrated by the author himself, Malcolm Lives! is a powerful and accessible introduction to the life and legacy of Malcolm X, crafted with young readers in mind. Ibram X. Kendi brings deep care and clarity to Malcolm’s journey—from the generational impact of racism on his parents to the systemic injustices that shaped his early life, including his incarceration.

What I appreciated most is how Kendi makes Malcolm's evolution digestible without diminishing the complexity of his transformation. Readers come away with a deeper understanding of Black American history, including figures like Marcus Garvey, while also witnessing how pain, injustice, and radical love shaped Malcolm’s intellect and commitment to the Black community.

One of my favorite moments in the book is the depiction of bibliotherapy in prison, when Malcolm befriends a fellow inmate who encourages him to read and return to learning. Kendi writes:

"Malcolm felt he had nothing but time on his hands. So Malcolm went back to school. To learning. School is anywhere you are learning… Malcolm put his number next to titles that interested him."

This audiobook is a gift for educators, students, and anyone seeking to understand the making of a revolutionary mind.

[Annisha Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Malcolm Lives! to be a powerful, resonant, and necessary read for middle grade audiences.

Some stylistic choices may feel unconventional; one reviewer noted this was an uncorrected proof. But even in that form, the core of the book shines. The use of repetition, direct address, and shifting tones isn't a flaw—it’s an intentional effort to reflect Malcolm X’s oratory style and engage young readers emotionally and intellectually. These devices help bring history to life in a relatable and compelling way for a middle school audience.

This book is not just about facts—it’s about context, emotion, and legacy. It invites young readers to ask questions, empathize, and understand Malcolm X not as a distant historical figure but as a real person shaped by adversity, transformation, and truth-telling.

I loved this book and believe it has the potential to spark meaningful conversation and curiosity. I look forward to sharing it with the young readers I serve—because their voices, questions, and reflections matter, and Malcolm Lives! gives them something powerful to engage with.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read few biographies for children written so well. Kendi is careful to define terms quickly for younger readers who might be unclear. He is also careful to make clear the effects of the racist actions of people and government in Malcolm's life. I appreciate this very much in a book for young people. Many books prefer to lay out the details of an event as facts, and then allow readers to draw conclusions on their own, as if the racism and descrimination isn't a fact as well. Particularly for children, I much prefer clearer statements. The author does ask questions of the reader, and gives them lots of room to compare their lives and experiences to those of Malcolm X. I also very much appreciate the authors efforts to bring modern comparisons between contemporary events, and events that happened during Malcolm X's life. Too many history books confine this comparison to a last chapter, allowing readers to think of things like racism and bigotry as in the past, rather than the present. Instead Kendi highlights similarities throughout the text, making Malcolm X's life and work much more relevant to the reader's own.