Betty Before X

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

#mgbuddyread last question. If you have anything else you‘d like to discuss include that here as well.

Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, JaclynW, Q84, SamanthaMarie, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, Roary47

TheBookHippie During the trump years and the pandemic a lot of changes we had to do in my social justice work was of necessity and actually streamlined things that needed to be streamlined- we formed allegiances to each other and other groups to survive. Instead of being all separate we had one common goal keep people safe. And survive. There was no other way. 3y

Butterfinger I'm thinking of the bus boycott. The bus system needed their money from the Black community. Thank God for the bravery of Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks. 3y

JaclynW @megnews @TheBookHippie @Butterfinger In the LDS church, blacks were not allowed to hold the priesthood until 1978. This only happened because of social pressure. (And WAY after the Civil Rights movement.) 3y

JaclynW I think giving women (and blacks) the right to vote probably was also a reluctant change for many. 3y

megnews @JaclynW wow! I did not know that. Interesting. 3y

27 likes5 comments

megnews

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

#mgbuddyread

Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, Q84, SamanthaMarie, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, Roary47

megnews While reading this novel, I was also reading X by Ilyasah Shabazz. Malcolm X also witnessed the aftermath of a lynching when he was 15. This made me create an outline: 1924 my poppy was born, 1925 Malcolm X born, 1927 my Gran born, 1928 my grandpa born, 1932 my grandma born, 1944 Betty Shabazz born, 1940 Malcolm seed aftermath of lynching, 1944 Betty sees aftermath of lynching. I can‘t imagine how my life would be different if my (edited) 3y

megnews Grandparents, who are close in age to Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz would have seen people with their color skin lynched. How it would have impacted them and future generations. The pain is unspeakable. This will stay with me forever I think. 3y

IndoorDame @megnews yes. It‘s truly horrific. I can imagine it has a similar effect for young black people today to witness police shootings. 3y

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megnews @IndoorDame yes. So sad. 3y

TheBookHippie It‘s horrific. It‘s no different than with shootings today. Or cops in general. The pain is generational and shapes the entire race. They know they are seen color first person last. It‘s unfathomable ā€¦ 3y

Butterfinger Can you imagine what goes through the minds of children who saw George Floyd being murdered on national television. If only everyone would attempt to see it and try to imagine what a child of color thinks. It does make me hurt. 3y

megnews @Butterfinger i mentioned it before I think, but after George Floyd was murdered, my son said he gets nervous around police and wonders when it will be him. It is so gut wrenching. 3y

JaclynW @TheBookHippie So horrific! And yes, a version of that exists today. I don't think most people associate the two but there is little difference between lynching and shooting people based on the color of their skin. Do people see shooting as more acceptable somehow? I don't get it. Both are devasting and change change the trajectory of many lives. @megnews @Butterfinger @IndoorDame 3y

TheBookHippie @megnews Gut wrenching..... 3y

TheBookHippie @JaclynW You have to see someone as having value before you can see it as unacceptable. 3y

JaclynW @TheBookHippie Yes. That is right. 3y

megnews @TheBookHippie exactly 3y

JaclynW @megnews That is gut wrenching. No child should ever have to wonder that. 3y

IndoorDame @megnews Gut wrenching. Thank you for sharing that ā¯¤ļø¸ 3y

23 likes14 comments

megnews

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

#mgbuddyread

Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, Q84, SamanthaMarie, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, Roary47

IndoorDame I was surprised by how convincing the arguments against desegregating schools were, since I grew up thinking of desegregating schools as a moral victory, but black students do much better in school when they have teachers of color when they‘re young & most teachers of color were fired when schools were integrated. And I imagine if white children were also sent to black schools as the book proposed, we would learn a much more balanced history 3y

megnews @IndoorDame in my naïveté, I didn‘t realize there were arguments against it at the time. I did recognize Black students were always integrated into white schools & that stands to reason since the whole issue of inequality was the poor condition of many Black schools. Unfortunately I‘d never thought beyond the moral victory to Black teachers losing their jobs. Definitely many studies show the significant impact Black teachers have on black students 3y

Q84 @IndoorDame @megnews I haven't read any of those studies so I can't say. I do agree that black students were integrated to white schools partly because they were in better condition. I'm sure black teachers lost their jobs due to that. Today, however, there are teachers of every race in schools. I learned a lot of black history but mostly during Black History Month. It's like schools save it all for Feb instead of teaching during normal history 3y

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IndoorDame @Q84 itā€s true that there are teachers of every race in US schools today, but itā€s still an overwhelming white dominated profession. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/12/10/americas-public-school-teachers... 3y

Q84 @IndoorDame There are to may factor for that. It may be that black people are less interested in being a teacher. Also whites make up the majority of people in this country so its not going to be equally divided. And I think it is irrelevant to count teachers vs student of any given color. Also, unless the black population in America increases then it stands to reason there will always be more whites in any given profession. 3y

Q84 @IndoorDame if you soley decide everything up based on race then you would have to start by giving more Native Indians group and Asians teaching jobs because that are at the least percentile. Then blacks then hispanics. 3y

Butterfinger I don't know why this is part of my background knowledge. I think an older teacher may have told me. I went to school in the 80's. She was one of the first white children who was bussed to a school with Black children and teachers. So, I know that desegregating schools worked both ways especially in the piedmont of NC. I'm wanting to say her father was a police officer in this community. Goodness, I wished I remembered who told me. I don't think I dreamed it. 3y

Butterfinger I'm personally glad that schools were desegregated before I started. My best friends since Kindergarten were of all heritages. 3y

megnews @Butterfinger great story. Thanks for sharing! 3y

megnews @q84 there are a lot of studies about the importance of black students having black teachers which is why I requested black teachers for my mixed race kids every grade I could. Luckily I live in a district that has made diversity an important factor in hiring. Ohio‘s Teacher of the Year award went to a black social studies teacher in our district and one of our elementary school principals, also Black, has won awards as well. Thankful for this! 3y

Q84 @megnews I'm glad you're in an area that is so diverse and willing to do parent suggestion placement. I think that is great! As far as the why students would do better with a black teacher is what I really want to know. Have they studied that? because they relate better so explain better, more demanding/patient or more understanding, etc. Surely children don't do better just because their teacher has the same skin color. 3y

megnews @q84 yes thereā€s research. More likely to graduate, less likely to end up on the school to prison pipeline, higher test scores, etc https://hechingerreport.org/the-educational-value-of-a-black-teacher/ I think itā€s easy for white people not to understand color matters when everything is geared for us. We can see ourselves in anything because itā€s always been that way. 3y

Q84 @megnews based on the article it is because they are less likely to tolerate children's misbehavior and have higher expectations for their students and believe they can achieve their education goals. While I can only speak for myself but I feel that would make great qualities in a teacher. I definitely believe in teaching children to put in the work and get to t 3y

Q84 To your goals because you can do anything you put your mind to. 3y

Daisey Very busy day yesterday, so I‘m just getting to look at these questions now, but this discussion was one of the things that really caught my attention. I thought both sides made very valid points. I appreciated seeing how in the community where both wanted equality, they had different visions for the way to get there and a real discussion about those views. It seemed these discussions were common at the store. 3y

megnews @Daisey it seemed like I‘m this particular case to gain equality for the children was a loss for adults who were in teaching careers. It made me curious. I love family history. My ex came from a line of teachers who were free prior to the civil war. It made me curious how this impacted them. 3y

JaclynW This was all eye opening to me. I'm glad for both perspectives. Unfortunately, we live in an area that is not all that diverse (and most of the diversity is through adoption, not people of color moving in the area). It is slowly changing. We have to be very purposeful here as parents and teachers to give other perspectives. 3y

19 likes17 comments

megnews

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

#mgbuddyread

Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, Q84, SamanthaMarie, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, Roary47

IndoorDame I had heard of The Housewives League before, but I learned more about it here. It‘s hard to say that they achieved their goal since there‘s still so much economic inequality in the African American community, but in some ways I think their methods did work, because they brought more economic power into the community than they would have had without The League. 3y

Q84 I had heard of them before but didn't really know much about them. I think they achieved some movement in the book because they ended up being heard and had a store owner come see her about how they could work with her. Today anyone can shop and work at any place they desire if they have the qualifications to do so regardless of color, at least in the states. I think that was the goal right, to have the same opportunity to work and shop as whites. 3y

IndoorDame @Q84 I don‘t think it‘s that simple today. Sadly, there‘s still a lot of hiring discrimination even though it‘s not legal. There‘s even discrimination against shoppers in a lot of places, it‘s all just less overt than it was in Betty‘s time. 3y

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Q84 @IndoorDame ah maybe. I come from a place that has a very mixed people and as someone who worked in a lot of retail, at least where I worked, only time we focused in on people where when they were doing something shady. 9/10 times it was someone who was white. š¤·ā€¨ā™€ļø¸ As far as employees there was a very mixed set there as well. But that's just where I've lived. Honestly, in a lot of places you were more likely to be hired if black or hispanic. 3y

Q84 @IndoorDame Although, you may live somewhere with different values and opinions. Or perhaps, as you suggest, I only see thing from where I sit and am blind to the world. Also, if it's less overt. Is it not improved since then? 3y

IndoorDame @Q84 I actually grew up somewhere like that too. After I left it took me a long time to get used to the fact that most of the US wasn‘t like that. 3y

Butterfinger I had not heard of the League, but I think it helped. It opened up dialogue. And the book did a great job of showing both sides. Those in poverty who needed to shop, even though they were oppressed and those who could would stand up for the community. You could tell the women were admired with the standing ovation, but some felt they could not do what the League suggested and lashed out at them. It still isn't perfect, but it has improved. 3y

megnews I had never heard of this League before. They were small but mighty! 3y

Roary47 I have not heard of it before, but glad they were able to at least band together where they were at. As many of you mentioned in a previous post they might not have been able to meet in the south. 3y

Daisey I had not heard of the League before and I thought the book did an amazing job of describing how they worked. I also really appreciated seeing a clear explanation of why many poorer families did not join. I do believe thy made a difference, although it may have been smaller than that of other organizations. I wonder if they are less known simply because they were an all female group working for local change rather than larger mixed organizations. 3y

megnews @Daisey I wondered this too since it was a local group. Similar to grassroots efforts in other locations like the Birmingham bus boycott. Grassroots efforts are important too. 3y

JaclynW I had never heard of the League before. I loved their passion and efforts. @megnews Small and mighty is a great way to explain the group! Grassroots groups are so important and show how things dont have to be grand to make a difference. @daisy I thought the same that maybe because it was a female led group, it had less attention/backing on it. I agree with others that it made a difference but still think there's improvement to be made in our day. 3y

15 likes12 comments

megnews

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

#MGBUDDYREAD

Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, Q84, SamanthaMarie, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, Roary47

Q84 It was still the same in some ways because there were racist people in the North as well and they were still treated as second class citizens in public places, like the scene from the store where she couldn't try on shoes like the whites but instead needed a cardboard insert of her foot to use. 3y

TheBookHippie Racism is everywhere BUT in the south it‘s more accepted as fact of how things are and definitely ingrained and part of the landscape. 3y

Butterfinger A Housewives League wouldn't have been able to meet and canvas in the South, I don't think. Too many people would have fear of repercussions. But, it amazed me that Betty's family and the one who took her in would not discuss racial issues with her. They didn't want to talk about the violence 3y

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megnews @Q84 yes the shoe store scene was disturbing. I‘d say people had opportunities they never would have gotten in the South but those ended after the war unfortunately. 3y

megnews @Butterfinger I agree about the Housewives League. I think another thing is the energy it takes to talk about it. Some would rather live their lives the best they can and are worn out from that with no energy to talk about it. A lot of folks seem(ed) to think what difference would talking about it make. 3y

JaclynW @TheBookHippie Agreed. Moving North wasn't necessarily a total escape from the racism, but in some cases things were slightly better. There was a bit more freedom in movement and speech (although those still came with consequences at times). I do think more people in the North were a bit more open to accepting blacks than the South (possibly only in certain roles though). 3y

JaclynW @Q84 That was a difficult scene. The way it illustrates how deep the feelings of racism are is shocking and eye opening. It brings home the point. I think it would really stop a young reader and make them think how ridiculous and unfair that treatment was. 3y

JaclynW @Butterfinger Good point. I thought it was interesting too how reluctant they were to discuss it with the young kids. In some ways they were censoring it. Why? For protection? Exhaustion? 3y

Butterfinger @JaclynW I think they wanted to extend the age of innocence. They were sheltering them from the hatred. 3y

15 likes9 comments

megnews

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

#MGBUDDYREAD discussion starts now! Join in when you can. Apologies if I‘ve missed tagging anyone.

Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, Q84, SamanthaMarie, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, Roary47

IndoorDame I knew almost nothing about Betty Shabazz before reading this, but it definitely inspired me to want to learn more. I do think this is a good intro for kids, but I think I‘d be more likely to recommend it for the younger end of the MG spectrum. 3y

megnews @IndoorDame I knew nothing about her either but I found her young life inspiring and definitely want to learn more. 3y

Q84 I had no idea what this was about when I started reading it. I found it interesting and once I realized it was about a real person I was more intrigued. 3y

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TheBookHippie I knew quite a bit but I was alive, then my parents talked about it at the dinner table, she was mentioned on the news, etc. since sheā€s from Michigan she was referenced a lot for a token (unfortunately) person to talk about in current event papers etc. I love this little book I use it 1-3 grade. I have read this from the library it was good. https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4022-0171-4 3y

Butterfinger I only knew her from Malcolm X's perspective, having read his autobiography. It wasn't necessarily a love match, according to him. I'm glad to know a lot more about her and her own accomplishments. 3y

megnews @TheBookHippie yes, but that‘s great Michigan kids are learning about her. I sure didn‘t and neither did my kids. 3y

megnews @Butterfinger somehow that doesn‘t surprise me. 3y

Roary47 I agree with @IndoorDame it‘s a good younger MG. I knew nothing about her, but would be interested to learn more. After reading the authors note she was a very amazing individual. 3y

Daisey I knew of her, but only in reference to Malcolm X. I thought this was a great introduction for younger readers. 3y

JaclynW I knew absolutely nothing and appreciated this book so much. I think this book is a great introduction for young kids. This book has inspired me to learn more about Betty. 3y

17 likes10 comments

Q84

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

pick

This was better than I was expecting and because it was about her grandmother was nice. I had no idea going into it.

49 likes

Butterfinger

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

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Such a good book. I like to read or listen to family stories and you don't hear much about Malcolm X's wife like you do Coretta. It was really inspiring to hear of Betty's faith and how she loved her mother, but didn't receive that love. I love Renee Watson's books and glad she corroborated with Ilyasah Shabazz.

Butterfinger #MGBuddyRead @megnews 3y

Chrissyreadit How are you feeling? TGIF?! 3y

Butterfinger @Chrissyreadit I feel fine. How are you feeling? Have you gone back to work? 3y

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Chrissyreadit @Butterfinger I saw 2 clients yesterday and will see half next week. I‘m still struggling with a cough and exhaustion if I‘m up for an hour or two- plus I take my licensing exam next Sat and I can afford to be run down. 3y

Chrissyreadit I‘m glad your ok! I remember you said work was tiring, and teaching is already exhausting. 3y

Butterfinger @Chrissyreadit that is a tough load. I hope you get some energy back for that test. Yes, I am tired. I think I am going to email you. I need to vent. Get something off of my mind. 3y

Butterfinger @Chrissyreadit it will be from my private email. tammydayton75@gmail.com 3y

Chrissyreadit Ok! š 3y

57 likes8 comments

Roary47

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

pick

4āØThis is a mostly true story of Betty Shabazz in four years of her childhood where racial prejudice was common in Detroit. Following her story was uplifting in respect to young children doing what they could to make a better place for everyone, and heartbreaking that these events happened at all. There was a few parts I had to take a step back. The authors note helped me to learn a little bit more of the history at this time. #MGBuddyRead

megnews

15 likes

Daisey

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

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After some very heavy reads recently, it seemed a good time to switch to a #MiddleGrade read. I enjoyed this historical fiction about the childhood of Betty, who would grow up to become the wife of Malcolm X. She became involved at a young age in advocating for equal rights. I appreciated seeing how the women in this story made such an impact on their community. Also, the additional factual information at the end was great.

#MGBuddyRead

54 likes

megnews

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

pick

I loved this. I‘m so glad Ilyasah Shabazz teamed up with Renee Watson to tell the story of her mother‘s foundational years. I wish I‘d learned more of this history growing up, that there‘d been more books like this to choose from. I think this should be in every MG classroom library. Looking forward to #MGBuddyRead discussion 2.12.

#RoadTripUSA2022 Michigan

Jaclyn, Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Chrissyreadit, SamanthaMarie, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, Roary47

TheBookHippie As soon as it came out I read it -rereading it was so wonderful! I‘ve gifted it to many students and teachers. Isn‘t it just wonderful! 3y

megnews @TheBookHippie it is! I love everything about it. 3y

48 likes2 comments

IndoorDame

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

pick

I‘m on top of my library holds for once, and actually finished February‘s #MGBuddyRead early! This was a soft pick for me, partly because I thought it skewed a bit more toward children‘s than MG, but the story is definitely inspiring and I‘m glad her daughter decided to write it. @megnews

megnews I halfway through. The writing grabbed me from the beginning. No surprise with Renee Watson joining Shabazz on this project. I‘m excited to finish. 3y

49 likes1 comment

LitsyEvents

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

Repost for @megnews

Next up for February #MGBuddyRead

All welcome!

#BuddyRead

megnews Thanks for sharing!! 3y

LitsyEvents You are beating me @sprainedbrain š 3y

sprainedbrain What can I say @Butterfinger I haven‘t done much this weekend. š‚ 3y

46 likes3 comments

megnews

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

Next up for February #MGBuddyRead

All welcome!

youngreadrshelf, Johanna414, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, LibrarianRyan, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, Q84, SamanthaMarie, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks, Roary47, LitsyEvents

Daisey I just picked this one up from the library on Friday, so I plan to join in for February! 3y

IndoorDame My library has this so I‘d like to join! 3y

LibrarianRyan yeah 3y

JaclynW Got it! 3y

37 likes4 comments

megnews

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

Just wanted to drop a quick reminder for February‘s #MGBuddyRead & #YABuddyRead selections. All are welcome to join!

youngreadrshelf, Johanna414, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, LibrarianRyan, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, Q84, SamanthaMarie, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks, AbigailJaneBlog, Tattooedteacher, Roary47, Seeking_Serenity

IndoorDame I‘m excited for these! 3y

TheBookHippie Betty before X I‘ve read a few times I‘ll join in discussion š™‚ I plan to read the other! 3y

JenlovesJT47 Please count me in! š™‹š¸»ā€¨ā™€ļø¸ 3y

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Roary47 I‘m in for both. š 3y

Chrissyreadit I‘m planning to try. 3y

SamanthaMarie Working on this month's YA right now :) February looks great!! 3y

Seeking_Serenity I'm out 3y

BarbaraJean Please do tag me! I feel so overbooked right now that I‘m not sure I‘ll be able to join, but things may feel different come February and I‘d like to jump in if I can. š 3y

megnews @BarbaraJean no problem. I decided to be involved in more buddy reads this year and feeling the pull myself. But it‘s been worth it for all the great discussions. No pressure. I‘ll tag you and join when you can! Always appreciate your contributions to discussion 3y

42 likes9 comments

OrangeMooseReads

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

1. When Man Cub was little we got a stuffed orange moose toy at IKEA. One night I was bored and put my glasses on it and propped a book to look like it was reading. Took a few pictures.
2. Audio in my car and physical/ebook in bed
3. The tagged
4. 2 people, 2 hell hounds, and 1 fuzzy face kitty šā€¨ā¬›

@Eggs #wonderouswednesday

Eggs Thanks for joining in š“•ā¯¤ļø¸š“• 4y

27 likes1 comment

OrangeMooseReads

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

pick

Excellent book. Short.
Even though it‘s a novelization it‘s all based on truths. I like knowing what helped shape people like Betty and what or who they were before they became the person we know. She was an amazing person on her own and so often she is over shadowed by her husband.

34 likes

OrangeMooseReads

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

Listening to this today.
I know very little about Betty. It‘s interesting. I didn‘t even know she grew up in Detroit.
#learnsomething

27 likes

Eggs

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

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Biography of Betty Shabazz‘s (widow of Malcolm X) younger years written by their daughter Ilyasah. Betty (R.I.P.) was active in boycotting businesses that refused to hire African-American citizens. #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! 4y

Eggs š @TheAromaofBooks 4y

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Zephsomething

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

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This book was so good y‘all! Full of history and tough topics written but still thoroughly enjoyable! I highly recommend this one for anyone looking for some historical fiction not just for young readers!

1 like

Zephsomething

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

This post contains spoilers

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ā€We had done the best we could and, all because of a drought or too much rain, we‘d lose everything, but just because you have a bad season doesn‘t mean you stop planting.ā€¯

The whole conversation was so good I just had to include it all in the photo.

1 like

Zephsomething

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

This post contains spoilers

show me

ā€I am counting my blessings tonight and thinking about all the ways love us a big dealā€¯

(The colour of the photo is from the fire)

1 like

Zephsomething

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

ā€To be able to design something with your mind and your hands is a powerful skill to have. It‘s your own creation. Who wouldn‘t want to know how to do that?ā€¯

The whole part i photod is lovely but this bit in particular stuck out to me.

2 likes

Zephsomething

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

Both the dedications in this book are lovely.

3 likes

Zephsomething

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

Up next for my camp reads is Betty Before X! I‘m really excited for this one, it‘s been a while since I read a based on true events book!

2 likes

MandaMT

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

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This is a fictionalization account of Betty Shabazz‘s childhood, mainly in Detroit between 1945 and 1947. Young Betty often listens in as adults discuss the political movement of the day. Written as a middle grade text, this helps the reader understand the tension between contrasting ideas within the community. Authors notes and appendices provide further historical context.

23 likes3 stack adds

MandaMT

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

Such a beautiful dedication.

18 likes

Niaaelizz

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz

ā€Love is always a big deal.ā€¯

Niaaelizz

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

I would use this book with an older class as it has difficult language and words for younger children. The concepts are a little more explicit for younger crowds as well.

Niaaelizz

Betty Before X | Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

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Historical fiction. This story is of Betty Shabazz‘s middle school life and the effects her home life had on her as well. The book uses a great deal of language from the 1940‘s to tell the story. This really sets the tone for the bookN Racism is a strong theme throughout the book as well.

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