"The pictures express the intense inner conflict and changes in the boy and man On almost every page, there's a quote in bold black type from Malcolm X's speeches or writings. They make us hear his voice." – Booklist
"Myers makes the complexities of Malcolm X's story accessible without compromising its integrity. Leonard Jenkins's sophisticated acrylic and pastel paintings use neon colors; they blend realism with abstraction to heighten the underlying emotional drama." – The Horn Book
"A compelling account. A perfect blend of well-written text and well-executed illustrations." – School Library Journal (starred review)