From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026

Betty Before X
by
Start date
April 1, 2018
Finish date
April 30, 2018
Discussion
Newbery 2019

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Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 19 topics — 717 comments total
+ Newbery 2019
* 2019 Mock Newbery Watch List
By Denise · 161 posts · 1082 views
last updated Feb 12, 2019 05:40PM
* 2019 ALA Newbery Awards
By Kristen · 60 posts · 240 views
last updated Feb 16, 2019 03:21PM

What Members Thought

Mary Lee
An important story that shows how the seeds of the Civil Rights Movement were planted in the 1940's.

Side note -- I'm currently listening to Their Eyes Were Watching God, (MASTERFULLY) read by Ruby Dee, so I was especially interested to note the connections between her and the adult Betty.
...more
Elizabeth Moreau Nicolai
I really enjoyed this book. There were a few places where it was weak, where either the plot or characters could have used a bit more development. However the creation of the setting was superb. It did amazing at showing how it is to grow up under Jim Crow, even in the North. It made me want to learn more about Betty Shabazz.
Best of all, I booktalked this to a kid who immediately read it and loved it.
Adriel
Feb 09, 2018 rated it really liked it
This book has an old fashioned, well manned protagonist that feels refreshing and simple and good. Were it not for the descriptions of lynchings and police murders, this book would be easy to fit on a list of books for sheltered children. It is full of the religious optimism of its adolescent main character Betty. the writing was very good, full of rich descriptive passages.
Robynn
Apr 25, 2018 rated it really liked it
April Read for Mock Newbery 2019.

Found I was quickly engaged and wanted to know more about young Betty, who later became the wife of Malcolm X. Her story follows her young life as she witnesses some dreadful events as well as many normal little girl things. Struck with admiration for this soon to be a woman, I would encourage this book to be on reading lists.
Jenna
May 17, 2018 rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: middle-grade
Rachel
Aug 15, 2017 marked it as to-read
Beverly
Nov 05, 2017 marked it as to-read  ·  review of another edition
Sara
Nov 20, 2017 marked it as to-read
Alison
Dec 12, 2017 marked it as to-read  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: 2017
J.j.
Dec 21, 2017 marked it as to-read
J.j.
Feb 18, 2018 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
Kathy
Jan 01, 2018 marked it as to-read
Margo Jantzi
Aug 15, 2018 rated it it was amazing
Dan
Jan 14, 2018 marked it as to-read
Parry Rigney
Jan 23, 2018 marked it as to-read
Maggi Rohde
Jan 25, 2018 marked it as to-read
Ruie
Feb 28, 2018 marked it as to-read
Molly
Apr 15, 2018 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: newbery-2019
Jaclyn
Apr 04, 2018 rated it really liked it
Annette
Apr 09, 2018 rated it really liked it
Mrs. Chatel
Jul 18, 2018 rated it really liked it
Shelves: troybery-2019
Maria Caplin
Jun 17, 2018 rated it really liked it
Celeste
Jun 08, 2018 marked it as to-read
Emily
Jun 26, 2018 marked it as to-read
Sarah
Jul 13, 2018 rated it really liked it
Travis
Dec 13, 2018 rated it it was ok
Jess Gill
Oct 28, 2018 rated it really liked it
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