Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X: The Fatal Friendship (A Young Readers Adaptation of Blood Brothers)

by Randy Roberts, Johnny Smith, Margeaux Weston (Adapted by)

Overview

Discover the remarkable relationship between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, and how their bond affected the movement for Black pride and independence in the 1960s in this nonfiction book for young readers.

★ "From Civil Rights to Black Pride and Black Lives Matter, there isn’t one social justice movement that these two men haven’t impacted." —SLJ, starred review

Freshly adapted for young readers, this in-depth portrait showcases the complex bond between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, revealing how Malcolm helped mold Cassius Clay into Muhammad Ali and influenced his rise as an international symbol of Black pride and Black independence. Yet when Malcolm was expelled from the Nation of Islam for criticizing the conduct of its leader, Elijah Muhammad, Ali turned his back on Malcolm, a choice that some believe tragically contributed to the minister's assassination in February 1965.

Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X is the story of how Ali redefined what it means to be a Black athlete in America, informed by Malcolm's leadership. An extraordinary portrait of love, friendship, and power as well as deceit and betrayal, here is a window into the public and private lives of two national icons, and the tumultuous period in the American Civil Rights Movement that they helped to shape.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316478854
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	10/03/2023
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	372,743
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	9 - 13 Years

About the Author

Randy Roberts is distinguished professor of history at Purdue University. An award-winning author, he focuses on the intersection of popular and political culture, and has written or co-written biographies of such iconic athletes and celebrities as Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Bear Bryant, Oscar Robertson, John Wayne, and Muhammad Ali, as well as books on the Vietnam War, the Alamo, the 1973-1974 college basketball season, and West Point football during World War II. A Season in the Sun is the second book he has written with Johnny Smith. Roberts lives in Lafayette, Indiana.

Johnny Smith is the Julius C. “Bud” Shaw Professor in Sports, Society, and Technology and an Assistant Professor of History at Georgia Tech. He is the co-author of Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X (with Randy Roberts) and the author of The Sons of Westwood: John Wooden, UCLA, and the Dynasty That Changed College Basketball. Smith lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Margeaux Weston is an author and editor. She has written two books in the middle grade nonfiction series A Day That Changed America; they are The March on Washington and Brown V. Board of Education. She is also the author of 20th Century African American History for Kids, and currently the nonfiction editor at the Hugo-nominated FIYAH Lit magazine. Margeaux lives in Louisiana with her family. She invites you to visit her online at margeauxweston.com/

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X:

★ "A nuanced look at the complicated friendship that shaped so much of Black history. From Civil Rights to Black Pride and Black Lives Matter, there isn’t one social justice movement that these two men haven’t impacted. Purchase for all American history shelves."
 —School Library Journal, starred review

"Effectively shows how the intersection of these two magnetic personalities added powerful and complicating dimensions to their lives and the world around them. The tenor and tone of the period clearly come through, thanks to the extensive research and engaging prose. An important volume for understanding a volatile time in U.S. history."—Kirkus Reviews

"If I would recommend this book to a friend, I would tell them about the power of this book and how it shows the power of friendship. If they wanted to read something to change their lives, they should definitely try reading Muhammad Ali and Malcom X." —Jackson, age 17

"This well-crafted narrative ... provides context and in-depth insight into the real people dealing with real issues during the complicated Civil Rights Movement. While this title could easily be purchased by libraries for their nonfiction collection, it could also be used for in-class book studies in both history and English classes."
 
 —School Library Journal

"[A] provocative history.... Roberts and Smith map the relationship between the troubled icons in painstaking detail and debunk long-held assumptions about their break.... Roberts and Smith bring a fresh perspective to the story in the civil rights movement, and capture the ferment of the broader era."—Publishers Weekly

"The authors capture both the remarkable public presence of each man and their vulnerability in a country where the framework of segregation was a barrier to their safety and success. An admiring, respectful presentation of their time as young stars."—BCCB

"I would tell my friends that this book is about Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X's life and how they fought for everyone to be equal. This book also talks about Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X's impact on equality."—Jacob, age 15

"The text provides ample historical and social context [and] creates insightful profiles of both men. . . .will help teens sort through this period's various allegiances and influences, and the promised back matter should interest researchers."
 —Booklist

"I will remember what I learned about the Nation of Islam which I had previously been unaware about. I would recommend this book to a friend if they were interested about this time period, people, or events discussed in the book."—Hudson, Age 15

From the Publisher

★ 12/22/2023

Gr 5 Up—This middle grade adaptation of Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X offers an illuminating account of the friendship and falling out of icons Malcolm X and Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) set against the backdrop of the tumultuous 1960s. Clay was a cocky and controversial boxer, and fiery Malcolm X was the face of the Nation of Islam. Malcom X served as a guide for Clay as the fighter converted to Islam and eventually became Muhammad Ali. Both loyal followers of Elijah Muhammad, they were separated because of the spiritual leader's machinations to keep his power over the Nation of Islam. As each chapter lays down the path from loyalty to betrayal, readers already in the know will turn pages with dread as the authors expertly build up to the fateful, inevitable conclusion. Those new to the history will slowly piece together the truth until its shocking reveal. The concluding chapter speaks of restoration and reconciliation between Ali and Malcolm X's family. The authors adeptly find balance between the small, fraternal moments the two men shared in their home lives and the larger-than-life events that have been immortalized in history and popular culture. The narrative is sometimes winding, but patient readers will be rewarded by a nuanced look at the complicated friendship that shaped so much of Black history. An insert of black-and-white photos makes the events even more tangible for young readers. VERDICT From Civil Rights to Black Pride and Black Lives Matter, there isn't one social justice movement that these two men haven't impacted. Purchase for all American history shelves.—Shelley M. Diaz

School Library Journal

2023-07-26
This adaptation for young readers of Blood Brothers, the authors’ 2016 title for adults, traces the friendship between and impact of two African American icons.

Cassius Clay grew up under segregation in Kentucky and experienced the acute racism of his homeland, even after becoming a U.S. Olympic medalist. But as a teenager training in Miami, he began to spend time with members of the Nation of Islam and was drawn to their message of Black empowerment. When he met Malcolm X, the two men formed a close relationship. Like many, Clay was drawn to Malcolm’s charisma and knowledge. In turn, Malcolm appreciated Clay’s impact on the community. In 1964, Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam, gave Clay a new name, Muhammad Ali. This marked a pivotal turning point for Ali: Malcolm wanted the Nation of Islam to be more outspoken about the country’s civil rights struggles, while Elijah Muhammad feared more government scrutiny. With Malcolm’s suspension and later banishment from the Nation of Islam, Ali was forced to choose between his friend and his spiritual leader. This adaptation effectively shows how the intersection of these two magnetic personalities added powerful and complicating dimensions to their lives and the world around them. The tenor and tone of the period clearly come through, thanks to the extensive research and engaging prose.

An important volume for understanding a volatile time in U.S. history. (bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews