Betty Before X
by Ilyasah Shabazz with Renee Watson
Very interesting story of the childhood (12yrs old through 16) of Betty Shabazz in mid 1940's Detroit and how it shaped her future as a civil rights activist. Written in first person, almost like a diary, it gives a child's perspective of the experience of ordinary African Americans who have left the South, yet still face racism in the North. Would be an especially good read for 5th/8th graders studying the Civil Rights era. 5th Grade +
by Ilyasah Shabazz with Renee Watson
Very interesting story of the childhood (12yrs old through 16) of Betty Shabazz in mid 1940's Detroit and how it shaped her future as a civil rights activist. Written in first person, almost like a diary, it gives a child's perspective of the experience of ordinary African Americans who have left the South, yet still face racism in the North. Would be an especially good read for 5th/8th graders studying the Civil Rights era. 5th Grade +