Taking place in 1973, Malcolm and Me is a novel about Roberta Forest, a black eighth-grader who’s wise beyond her years. Roberta is top of her class at her catholic school, a rebel, and a poet. At school, her rebellious, social activist side is not always appreciated and one day she gets into a fight with one of her teachers, Sister Elizabeth, over the hypocrisy of Thomas Jefferson having owned slaves.
Read full review on Kids Book Buzz.
At the end of “Malcolm and Me,” Robin Farmer reveals the autobiographical origins of Roberta Forest. Like her 13-year-old protagonist, Farmer, was subject to racist comments from her Catholic teacher. Like Roberta, Farmer found solace in reading and writing, spurring her victory in the first national Black Awareness Essay Contest from Right On! Magazine in the ’70s.
Read full review on SFChronicle Datebook.
Personally, I feel like there are not a lot of historical fiction MG books that take place post-civil rights movement with Black characters front and center. So the setting alone, including a small peek into Watergate, I think will help to fill in a gap in history for young readers. There are great descriptions of Roberta’s afro and her outfits that help to transport you back to the ’70s. And although there were times that Roberta’s behavior was frustrating to me, an adult, I can totally see how middle/high school students would identify with her and her choices. So for young readers who are also writers (this story is based on some experiences Farmer actually had), who are struggling to fit in, who are into Black History, or who are struggling with parental relationships at home, this may be the book for them.
Read full review at MG Book Village.
Malcolm and Me was an engaging and timely story. The reader witnesses Roberta’s growth against adversity and how she stumbles and rises with grace through this particularly difficult year. I was able to read an advanced copy of Malcolm and Me thanks to NetGalley and SparksPress.
Read full review on Balancing Mommy.
I really enjoyed this coming of age, finding your voice YA book. I know some are saying middle grade but for me it reads Middle School, High School and beyond and not middle grade. But I’d still give this to a 5th grader to read. I love that she stood up for what she believes in. Did I love that out of reaction she slapped a teacher as teacher slapped her each time. No, but again it was a reaction to being slapped herself. The teacher/nun was racist and needed to be fired from teaching but let’s face it we all know that was never going to happen. I loved the backdrop being the 70’s , so much went on. But for me this is where it fell flat a little. I wanted more historical event’s mentioned! I wanted more of what inspired her and what she was seeing around her. But we didn’t really get that, and I think that would have helped the reader really truly connect with Roberta. What I didn’t love is this book shows how she found her voice and grew strong! It shows the racial division that was ( and still is) going on but it was at a level without all the grit and violence so the younger middle grade reader might read it more over a more violent one. Overall I think school libraries and classrooms should have this book on their shelves. Even though the school backdrop is catholic school I don’t think that would deter anyone from reading it. I also think it should even be in Catholic schools but I know that will never happen. Because judging from the Catholic school my kids went to till we pulled them out so fast because they told me my oldest getting bullied would build her up, I seriously doubt they would buy it. Maybe I should buy them a copy and send it to them!
Read full review Magical Wonder of Books.
If you are looking for a book for teens that is explosive, humorous, relatable, and able to keep you on your toes, Malcolm and Me is the best option for you. Robin Farmer presents a debut coming-of-age story that is historically rich and relevant to today.
Read full review on Glamor.
