Today is my book birthday for 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.
A moving portrait of Yuri Kochiyama—an ordinary woman who became an extraordinary activist—and her bond with Malcolm X
When Japanese American activist Yuri Kochiyama shook Malcolm X’s hand at a courthouse in 1963, it sparked a transformative friendship built on justice, solidarity, and hope. In Postcards from Malcolm X, Mia Wenjen and illustrator Keith Henry Brown trace Kochiyama’s remarkable journey from a small-town girl in California to a fearless advocate for human rights. Her experiences—her father’s death at the hands of the FBI, her family’s internment during World War II, and her work with Japanese American soldiers—shaped a life of activism that connected her to Harlem’s civil rights struggle and, ultimately, to Malcolm X himself. Through accessible, narrative storytelling and evocative art, this book introduces readers to an unsung hero of the civil rights movement and to the extraordinary friendship between two leaders from different communities, bound by a shared vision of equality. Featuring original postcards from Malcolm X, extensive back matter, and a detailed timeline, this is both a powerful history and an inspiring call to action for young readers. [picture book biography, ages 7 and up]
For this book, I wanted to show intersectional, cross-racial solidarity, as an example from the past that will hopefully inspire similar collaboration today and in the future. It was important to me to show Yuri Kochiyama’s activity journey. She started as a naive “All-American” who didn’t think racism existed. It certainly didn’t affect her throughout her childhood and into high school. Her experiences during WW2 burst that bubble, and her awakening as an activist began, but also utilized her skill set. She was a journalist in high school and had excellent writing skills. She was a people-person with exceptional social-emotional skills and had a leadership style that made people want to join in her causes.
Malcolm X, she would state in her autobiography, was the person who taught her the most about activism. While she was an activist in her community in NYC’s Harlem area, she didn’t necessarily understand the levers that caused the racism she faced. Malcolm X understood structural racism and was a naturally gifted teacher who could make complicated concepts understandable. He was her mentor and friend, and this led to his promise to write her on his next international trip, during which he wrote her a series of postcards.
After Malcolm was murdered, Yuri created a curriculum about his teachings and point of view, which she would present at schools. In a sense, Yuri’s evolution to a human rights activist was a way for her to honor the work that Malcolm X did.
I think this friendship is a realistic example of what it takes to cross racism barriers, even amongst minority groups fighting the same fight. Yuri had to prove herself to the Black Civil Rights activists by showing up, again and again, and doing the work (without asking for credit). When she first met Malcolm, he wasn’t thrilled to see her. He questioned her motivation to meet him (he was a bona fide celebrity, after all).
Perhaps this initial suspicion and hostility is why there isn’t more cross-racial solidarity today. Yuri’s commitment serves as a role model for us all on what it takes to actually be able to support all causes, across all different ethnic groups. I hope this book inspires our children on how powerful uniting together can be, but also how difficult it is to create those ties.
I am giving away 5 copies of Postcards from Malcolm X in celebration of my book birthday. To enter, please leave a comment on how you plan to use the book.
Thank you!
p.s. Related posts:
Q&A with POSTCARDS FROM MALCOLM X Illustrator Keith Henry Brown
School Library Journal reviews POSTCARDS FROM MALCOLM X
Postcards from Malcolm X Unboxing!
Postcards from Malcolm X picture book trailer!
86 Children’s Books for Young Activists
13 Children’s Books with Youth Activists: The Kids Will Save Us!
Activists & Activism: New Multicultural Children’s Book Day Classroom Kit
Geography Game featuring WWII Internment Sites and Children’s Books
FREE Immersive History Game about WWII Japanese Americans
41 Japanese Internment Books for Kids & My Family’s Story
Civil Rights Movement for Kids through Art and Books
Civil Rights Movement Books for 4th Grade and MLK Day
21 Great Children’s Books On Civil Rights Movement
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.
My books:
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
- ⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
- ⭐ Starred review from Publishers Weekly
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal
- Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026
Free and downloadable guide:
Barbed Wire Between Us Teacher’s Guide
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
The Traveling Taco:
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- ALSC Notable Children’s Book
- 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
- 2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
- Recommended Reading for the Social Justice Literature Award 2025 (International Literacy Association)
- Pennsylvania Mountain Laurel Book Award Nominee 2026-27
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
