YA and Kids Books Central reviews POSTCARDS FROM MALCOLM X

Thank you to YA and Kids Books Central for reviewing Postcards From Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Human Rights Activist by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown, and published by Red Comet Press.

Friendship, Civil Rights, and The Fight For Justice

August 12, 2026 (Updated: August 17, 2026)

Overall rating: 5.0
Writing Style: 5.0
Illustrations: 5.0
Learning Value: 5.0

Postcards From Malcom X is a beautifully illustrated and written story of how two prolific American activists developed a friendship that helped further their work as activists. The book mainly focuses on Yuri Kochiyama, who was an American civil rights activist and how being held at the Jerome War Relocation Center in Arkansas during World War II influenced her views on racism and her future work.

Yuri’s drive for justice would also lead her to a friendship with Malcolm X who was an African American revolutionary and Muslim minister who became a prominent figure during the civil rights movement.

This book may be short, but the information, story, and illustrations are powerful. Yuri and Malcom X’s friendship was not only a special connection, but they helped each other to open their eyes to new perspectives and ways to continue the fight for justice. Learning about Yuri’s work was empowering especially for speaking up in a time where it was unusual for a woman like her to be an activist. She never let things deter her and her tenacity led her to forge new bonds between various civil rights movements.

Readers will also be captured by the watercolor illustrations of Brown and how it captures these activists’ warmth of their connection to each other and the ferocity to speak up for what is right. The book, though concise, is a great starting point for young readers to learn more about Yuri and Malcolm’s lives while covering a smooth timeline of their friendship.

On top of activism and fighting for great causes, this book is an important reminder of how essential snail mail is. The snippets of the postcards between the two show their humanity, excitement about learning new ways to engage with others about social issues, and how close their relationship was. This is a beautiful book about resistance and history done through powerful storytelling.

p.s. Related posts:

School Library Journal reviews POSTCARDS FROM MALCOLM X

Postcards from Malcolm X Unboxing!

Civil Rights Movement for Kids through Art and Books

My Civil Rights Movement Book Lists for Kids

Civil Rights Movement Books for 4th Grade and MLK Day

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