The X Factor

When I first saw the book The Poet X I thought maybe it was about Betty X or Malcolm X and that is why I put it on hold, but it isn't.  But I am so glad I did!  What a wonderfully written book.  Elizabeth Acevado is an incredible writer.

More about Malcolm

After reading Betty Before X, I was excited to read X by Ilyasah Shabazz, this one written with Kekla Magoon.  This one is written for more tween and teen than children's, I think, just because of some of the things that Malcolm X experienced in his teen life.  Excellent.  Excellent.  Such a great account of the coming-of-age of Malcolm X and it left me wanting to know even more and to read more from Shabazz.  Highly recommended.

Gentrification

Even though the G word is never used in Harlem Charade, and the larger worry is a proposed amusement park in Harlem, this book gets to the heart of what gentrification can do to a community.  Natasha Tarpley is an author that I really want to explore! I loved the characters and I loved the family dynamics and I loved the writing and the message.  Good stuff! 

Walter Dean Myers

I guess Gary Paulsen, Frances O'Roark Dowell and Walter Dean Myers are for me, the authors I can always count on.  Not just because they write so much, but also because they write so well.  Handbook for Boys was my latest WDM, on audio, read by Peter Francis James.  I kinda think that if Peter Francis James read the phone book, I would listen and enjoy.  He and Eric Conger are amazing.  Handbook for Boys is set in Harlem, like many of WDM's books and takes place mostly in a barbershop, run by Duke, a cool, smart older dude who has allowed Jimmy to work for him instead of going to juvie.  The barbershop is one of those places in the neighborhood where all kinds of folks hang out, get their hair cut and reflect.  Like a third-place kinda thing.  While working for Duke Jimmy learns a lot about life and choices.  It isn't a preachy book, I don't think.  And I just loved it.  Funny in places, too.  Classic WDM.  Recommended.