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Just Sayin': My Life In Words
The long-awaited autobiography of one of the world's greatest children's writers, and an empowering and inspiring account of a life in books.
Malorie Blackman OBE is one of Britain's best loved and most widely-read writers. For over thirty years, her books have helped to shape British culture, and inspired generations of younger readers and writers. The Noughts and Crosses series, started in 2000, sparked a new and necessary conversation about race and identity in the UK, and are already undisputed classics of twenty-first-century children's literature.
She is also a writer whose own life has been shaped by books, from her childhood in south London, the daughter of parents who moved to Britain from Barbados as part of the Windrush Generation, and who experienced a childhood that was both wonderful and marred by the everyday racism and bigotry of the era. She was told she could not apply to study her first love, literature, at university, in spite of her academic potential, but found a way to books and to a life in writing against a number of obstacles.
This book is an account of that journey, from a childhood surrounded by words, to the 83 rejection letters she received in response to sending out her first project, to the children's laureateship. It explores the books who have made her who she is, and the background to some the most beloved and powerful children's stories of today. It is an illuminating, inspiring and empowering account of the power of words to change lives, and the extraordinary life story of one of the world's greatest writers.
Malorie Blackman OBE is one of Britain's best loved and most widely-read writers. For over thirty years, her books have helped to shape British culture, and inspired generations of younger readers and writers. The Noughts and Crosses series, started in 2000, sparked a new and necessary conversation about race and identity in the UK, and are already undisputed classics of twenty-first-century children's literature.
She is also a writer whose own life has been shaped by books, from her childhood in south London, the daughter of parents who moved to Britain from Barbados as part of the Windrush Generation, and who experienced a childhood that was both wonderful and marred by the everyday racism and bigotry of the era. She was told she could not apply to study her first love, literature, at university, in spite of her academic potential, but found a way to books and to a life in writing against a number of obstacles.
This book is an account of that journey, from a childhood surrounded by words, to the 83 rejection letters she received in response to sending out her first project, to the children's laureateship. It explores the books who have made her who she is, and the background to some the most beloved and powerful children's stories of today. It is an illuminating, inspiring and empowering account of the power of words to change lives, and the extraordinary life story of one of the world's greatest writers.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2024
26 people are currently reading
827 people want to read
About the author
Malorie Blackman
156 books4,514 followersAn award-winning children's author, Malorie Blackman was honoured with an OBE in 2008. Her work has been adapted for TV and stage.
More information available at:
Myspace
British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box
More information available at:
Myspace
British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
January 3, 2023
I have only read a couple of Malorie Blackman's books so far, and have enjoyed them, especially "Pig-heart boy". I had planned on leaving this autobiography until I had read a few more, but I had a glance at the first page and before I knew it I had read half the book. I love her way of writing, and the way she describes her life and career was both interesting and inspiring.
I would recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed her novels, or any aspiring writer, especially one wanting to write childrens literature.
This ended up being one of my favourite reads of 2022, so I am glad I didn't delay it too long!
I would recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed her novels, or any aspiring writer, especially one wanting to write childrens literature.
This ended up being one of my favourite reads of 2022, so I am glad I didn't delay it too long!
October 25, 2022
6 stars.
November 28, 2022
Loved listening to the audiobook of this! Definitely deserves more than five stars. Such an encouraging, interesting and inspirational read by one of my favourite authors as a tween/young teenager.
April 23, 2024
malorie writes with such hope, her determination and perseverance emanate from each page! loved this and love her, very tempted to read the noughts and crosses series again now!
June 26, 2023
Rather inspiring, and a huge insight.
I've loved many of Blackman's books, and not really know a thing about her life. So much of what she's written now makes more sense in the context of her experiences.
This was a very interesting autobiography, and hugely in-depth into the life of someone Black, female and part of a generation living through a period of enormous social and cultural change - and prejudice.
The only thing I didn't like about this was the way the book was structured, as Blackman takes us through her life thematically rather than sequentially. So a future husband makes an appearance then disappears for a hundred pages, then we see their meeting/dating period. A few things are covered more than once, so it felt a little 'bitty'. Maybe it's just me that likes to see a life covered in order.
Through a poverty-riddled adolescence, through first jobs and educational experiences (I was cringing and angry at what a careers adviser had to say), to eventual discovery and d*mned hard work towards a dream, Malorie shows that what you want doesn't just drop into your lap. She's worked hard to learn, to become a master of her craft, to hone skills and earn a reputation and success.
Blackman broke ground I never knew about. Which I feel ashamed of really. She's a self-made success who's fought for recognition despite health problems, racism, poverty. She's found love and is now a beacon and model for new generations.
I'm glad to read her story.
I've loved many of Blackman's books, and not really know a thing about her life. So much of what she's written now makes more sense in the context of her experiences.
This was a very interesting autobiography, and hugely in-depth into the life of someone Black, female and part of a generation living through a period of enormous social and cultural change - and prejudice.
The only thing I didn't like about this was the way the book was structured, as Blackman takes us through her life thematically rather than sequentially. So a future husband makes an appearance then disappears for a hundred pages, then we see their meeting/dating period. A few things are covered more than once, so it felt a little 'bitty'. Maybe it's just me that likes to see a life covered in order.
Through a poverty-riddled adolescence, through first jobs and educational experiences (I was cringing and angry at what a careers adviser had to say), to eventual discovery and d*mned hard work towards a dream, Malorie shows that what you want doesn't just drop into your lap. She's worked hard to learn, to become a master of her craft, to hone skills and earn a reputation and success.
Blackman broke ground I never knew about. Which I feel ashamed of really. She's a self-made success who's fought for recognition despite health problems, racism, poverty. She's found love and is now a beacon and model for new generations.
I'm glad to read her story.
June 4, 2023
It was very interesting to read this book after reading one of her novels when I was younger. The prose here is as heavy as the experiences she went through. The particular combination of things she went though, as she says, made her ready for this career path. The homelessness, poverty, racism, prejudice, health problems, the pressure to do things in a shorter timeline, so much that she went through that informed her (amazing and wonderful) work
The only criticism I have is that I would have liked to have learned more about her relationship with her husband as it sounded especially lovely and inspiring.
The only criticism I have is that I would have liked to have learned more about her relationship with her husband as it sounded especially lovely and inspiring.
April 15, 2024
4.5 but malorie deserves the 5
This woman has been through so much but has persevered and thrived
This woman has been through so much but has persevered and thrived
March 27, 2024
Malorie is just a couple of years younger than me, so I remember how things were for black kids in the 60’s and 70’s. I admire her tenacity, courage and tenacity. What a beautiful soul! I wish I could give her a huge hug, both now and in the past.
January 7, 2025
This would have been great to read, but having this read by Malorie Blackman herself was the icing on an already excellent cake. I remember reading Malorie's books as a kid in the 90s and her playing a key role in my "wow! Books can be FUN" awakening, after the sheer indifference I felt towards the Enid Blyton-esque books elsewhere. Then last year I went to the British Library exhibition on her life and work and it brought me right back to reading her books, so I knew I had to get my hands on this autobiography. She covers such a wide range of topics and experience, but key throughout is what a determined, thoughtful and engaging woman she is, even in facing hardships and boy has she experienced more than her fair share. An incredible book by an incredible woman, I really need to read Noughts and Crosses now, it's been sat on my TBR for far too long. A delightful start to my reading year.
December 12, 2023
Make my aunty the prime minister I’m being so fr
April 14, 2023
Review to follow.
April 24, 2023
Whatever she writes grips me and speaks to my heart. What a wonderful gift she has
December 27, 2023
uplifting, inspiring and like a warm hug from a favourite auntie this autobiography is brilliant!
May 1, 2024
Bits will make you angry, others cry. But it is a totally inspiring read.
January 4, 2023
Malorie Blackman's wit, humour, passion and determination shines off the pages of her autobiography. Her life and outlook is an inspiration to us all, and I want to go back and read her books all over again knowing how much of her life she dedicated and put into becoming a published author with integrity and purpose.
April 10, 2023
An eye-opening and optimism-inducing peek into the life of one of my favourite childhood authors.
January 4, 2024
Malorie Blackman has been one of my favourite writers for the past two years now. I consumed her Noughts and Crosses series like it was oxygen and I couldn't get enough, reading book after book after book. I would even go so far as to say that this series is a classic and will go down in history as a series of classics for many future generations, our drama department even teaches this series, which shows that it also holds academic and artistic value beyond the books themselves and well into the classroom. The way she brings racism to the table in her stories and the way she unpicks and challenges systematic and institutional racism in these series by flipping the concept of racism on its head can only be admired. She deals with the nuances of racism, discrimination, prejudice, stereotyping, and identity (what is it to be British?) in such a blunt and yet eloquent way makes her writing all that more impressive Malorie clearly writes from experience and wisdom, and so when I had the opportunity to read her autobiography ' Just sayin' - My Life in words' I needed to read it. I needed to understand the experiences and mind of someone who writes such amazing and powerful literature and is valued as one of Britain's greatest writers and a holder of an OBE due to her contribution to literature.
This book follows Malories roots from migrant parents arriving in the UK from Barbados as part of the Windrush generations, dealing with their experiences and treatment as they tried to make a home for themselves in South London. She then talks about her own experiences of being raised in London, the good the bad and the worse, in the forms of racism and bigotry that she herself experienced. She discusses her difficulties at school with teachers who tried to stunt her academic growth, labelling her and putting her in a box, limiting her opportunities, and trying to squash her dreams. She was prevented from studying literature at university, which angers me greatly and reminds me of my own indigenous experiences with university in New Zealand and the difficulties I faced based on racial stereotyping. Yet, she made it, she found a way to her dreams and she has been writing books for over 30 years now, and with great success. Malorie is a role model. She is the benchmark for success as a woman but more importantly as a black woman in the UK where it it isn't so easy to be a successful black woman. I highly recommend reading this book!
This book follows Malories roots from migrant parents arriving in the UK from Barbados as part of the Windrush generations, dealing with their experiences and treatment as they tried to make a home for themselves in South London. She then talks about her own experiences of being raised in London, the good the bad and the worse, in the forms of racism and bigotry that she herself experienced. She discusses her difficulties at school with teachers who tried to stunt her academic growth, labelling her and putting her in a box, limiting her opportunities, and trying to squash her dreams. She was prevented from studying literature at university, which angers me greatly and reminds me of my own indigenous experiences with university in New Zealand and the difficulties I faced based on racial stereotyping. Yet, she made it, she found a way to her dreams and she has been writing books for over 30 years now, and with great success. Malorie is a role model. She is the benchmark for success as a woman but more importantly as a black woman in the UK where it it isn't so easy to be a successful black woman. I highly recommend reading this book!
January 10, 2025
4.5. Agree so strongly with so much of what Blackman says, particularly about children's access to education, representation, the arts, etc. I knew very little about her so it was really interesting to discover more about her life, particularly the insights into her writing. I've not really explored her fiction so will he picking up Noughts and Crosses soon to start dabbling! My only critique is that sometimes it was a smidge confusing being given info in a non-chronological format. Because she had spoken about her husband earlier focusing on more recent history, when she then went back in time later and discussed the start of their relationship I got confused and was like "why is she kissing this random man when she's already married?" My fault probably for working while listening to the audiobook lmao!
June 26, 2023
'We writers are life vampires. We draw on real-life negative and positive experiences to write the truth into fiction.'
Malorie Blackman. My favourite childhood author, still one of my favourite authors now AND one of my most read authors. I found it so insightful to find out more about the author I have loved for years and how her past has shaped her into who she is today and her writing. I enjoyed reading and listening about her story and past and how her difficult times and pain shaped her writing and motivated her to keep going.
I am not going to rate this memoir but I thought it was beautifully written and very interesting. Thankyou Malorie for letting us have this little piece of your past.
Malorie Blackman. My favourite childhood author, still one of my favourite authors now AND one of my most read authors. I found it so insightful to find out more about the author I have loved for years and how her past has shaped her into who she is today and her writing. I enjoyed reading and listening about her story and past and how her difficult times and pain shaped her writing and motivated her to keep going.
I am not going to rate this memoir but I thought it was beautifully written and very interesting. Thankyou Malorie for letting us have this little piece of your past.
November 26, 2024
Ok, I feel weird rating a memoir - this is someone's actual life and feelings on a page, it feels strange to turn that into numbers. However I've gone with 5 because anyone whose read any of MB's books (or is going to) should read this!
I enjoyed the mixture of prose and poetry, and the scattered, non chronological order of things. It all wound together to create a clear, fascinating and touching picture of one of my favourite writers ever.
I enjoyed the mixture of prose and poetry, and the scattered, non chronological order of things. It all wound together to create a clear, fascinating and touching picture of one of my favourite writers ever.
January 23, 2024
I love this. It is an endearing, lively, engaging and very well written account and I urge anyone who has not read it to do so! You do not have to be fan of Malorie Blackman's writing to enjoy this book, although I am one of her legion of faithful readers, it is well worth reading and challenges all who do so to think about the world and their place and their words and their actions within it - without ever being preachy, just sayin it as it is.
March 16, 2024
Malorie Blackman is one of my biggest role models [and one of the reasons I fell in love with my husband - fun fact 😂] so I knew I needed to read her memoir. She has lived such an interesting life. I laughed and cried multiple times through this book. I also found it really inspirational and I think some of her suggestions to the government need to be taken on board. I also found some of her childhood super relatable, I used to take my lunch to the library as well and spend hours there <3 I loved how many of her stories related to books she has written [especially Noughts and Crosses] and how she never gave up to become a published author is so inspriational <3 loved this!
5 stars
5 stars
November 14, 2022
An incredible account of a vastly accomplished author. The obstacles she had to overcome would have defeated most aspiring authors. Sadly many of these obstacles were from individuals and societal racism. Racism so casual it was not just normalised but expected.Despite this she through determination and talent succeeded where others would have failed or given up.
January 14, 2025
I’m still smiling; I really enjoyed this.
“Being Black in the UK, in a public-facing role, means that you end up representing whether you want to or not.”
This memoir was so real and honest, with Malorie sharing the highs & lows of her career, as well as her path to it. She very nearly almost didn’t become a writer because she didn’t know it was possible, having only ever devoured books in her childhood and youth written by white authors and featuring white characters.
“There is no substitute for insight born of experience.”
The book is narrated by Malorie herself and it’s incredible to hear about her experiences from her own mouth; understanding the nuance and impact of the abuse that she’s endured as well as the benefit of her naivety at the start of her career. We also learn about her health, and how grateful she is to see old age; a perspective that’s not reflected much in the media. Such a blessing & I’m grateful for all of the risks that she took & the path that she has paved for many more Black, female authors to come. A living legend.
“Being Black in the UK, in a public-facing role, means that you end up representing whether you want to or not.”
This memoir was so real and honest, with Malorie sharing the highs & lows of her career, as well as her path to it. She very nearly almost didn’t become a writer because she didn’t know it was possible, having only ever devoured books in her childhood and youth written by white authors and featuring white characters.
“There is no substitute for insight born of experience.”
The book is narrated by Malorie herself and it’s incredible to hear about her experiences from her own mouth; understanding the nuance and impact of the abuse that she’s endured as well as the benefit of her naivety at the start of her career. We also learn about her health, and how grateful she is to see old age; a perspective that’s not reflected much in the media. Such a blessing & I’m grateful for all of the risks that she took & the path that she has paved for many more Black, female authors to come. A living legend.
December 26, 2022
Powerful.
Poignant.
Unapologetic.
I remember the power and the impact of reading Noughts & Crosses.
I'm pākehā. That series, and this book, hold windows up, to see other lives. To gain much-needed knowledge and perspective.
Poignant.
Unapologetic.
I remember the power and the impact of reading Noughts & Crosses.
I'm pākehā. That series, and this book, hold windows up, to see other lives. To gain much-needed knowledge and perspective.
April 13, 2023
I've always adored Malorie Blackman, Noughts & Crosses has been one of my favourite novels of all time since I read it as a young teen in my local library. This autobiography was the perfect little insight into the life of one of my favourite authors.
April 20, 2023
Really enjoyed this inspirational book. While most people would give up and accept and just move on if things don't go as planned, Malorie never gave up on her dream of becoming an author.
October 5, 2023
Absolutely inspiring, heartwarming and touching account of Malorie's life.
July 13, 2024
I love malorie blackman so much, so inspiring 🥹
June 17, 2025
full of hope and love
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews