When I
was in 10th grade, we were asked to study the works of a great
American author and defend its inclusion in the school’s curriculum. I studied
Alex Haley and subsequently read Roots.
10 years later, I still advocate for its inclusion in every teen reader’s
library of must-reads. Roots is a
book that I have read only once and still remember vividly. To this day,
passages of text and detailed descriptions have remained ever present in my
mind. This absorbing, intense, emotional, moving, sometimes graphic and always
memorable saga of Alex Haley’s family roots from his ancestors in Africa in the
1770s through his family’s experience in America until the 1970s will forever
leave its mark on the hearts of readers. I whole heartedly classify Roots as a must read (or a must see if
you prefer the mini-series). This book, Alex Haley’s personal fact-based
history, will truly impact your
worldview.
A Different Kind
of Christmas by Alex Haley
A Different Kind of Christmas is an
inspirational story that readers will want to visit frequently at any time of
the year. Unlike the lengthy saga of Roots,
A Different Kind of Christmas focuses
on a single era in history, the time of the Underground Railroad. The main
character, 19-year-old Fletcher Randall, is the son of a wealthy plantation
owner who experiences great internal conflict as he studies at his New England
school. After befriending a family of Quakers, Fletcher is forced to resolve
his conflict once and for all. Can he return home for Christmas the same loyal
son who will one day oversee his father’s plantation? Or will Fletcher follow
the new stirrings of his heart and become a conductor on the Underground Railroad,
helping slaves to escape from his childhood home? Read this concise, but
meaningful book to find out.
X: A Novel
by Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X
“I am my
father’s son. They will always come for me. But I will never succumb” (348).
X: A Novel is a
unique portrayal of teenage Malcolm Little’s journey to becoming influential
civil rights advocate Malcolm X. Rather than focusing on the politics of
Malcolm’s later life, Shabazz emphasizes the identity crisis that takes Malcolm
away from his family roots of activism and towards a life of rebellion, crime
and independence from his parents’ legacy. As Malcolm faces the many social
obstacles placed in his path, he finds himself questioning his personal role on
the world stage and, more importantly, his role as his father’s son. Voted the 2018 Great Michigan Read, this novel is
especially interesting for Michigan readers as Malcolm’s childhood experience
in Lansing is thoroughly explored. A light read that delves into heavy topics, X: A Novel is a great conversation
starter for teen and adult readers alike.
