What reading level is X?

X by Ilyasah Shabazz is at a Level 3 reading level (Lexile 580L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is X appropriate for?

X is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8ME (Moderate — Emotional).

X is fiction — Young Adult Fiction.

Does X have any content warnings?

X has a HootRating of 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

X by Ilyasah Shabazz is 348 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Ilyasah Shabazz

X

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

a novel

by Ilyasah Shabazz

Reading Level 3 8ME Ages 5-8 Heads Up

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Malcolm Little was told he could be anything, but when his world falls apart, he dives into a life of jazz, fancy suits, and risky choices. What happens when running from your past only leads to more trouble? Malcolm’s journey shows that true freedom comes from finding your own path.

Themes

African American MuslimsRacismComing of Age Family Identity & Self-Discovery Historical

Quick Assessment

This novel, co-written by Malcolm X’s daughter, explores the early life of Malcolm Little, highlighting challenges such as family loss, racism, and poor choices before his transformation in prison. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, it sensitively addresses complex themes like identity and resilience, making it a thoughtful introduction to historical and social issues for young children.

Why we rated X 8ME

X is written at a Level 3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 580L across 348 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, X works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate X as 8ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, X explores african american muslims, racism, coming of age, family, and identity & self-discovery — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about african american muslims, racism, coming of age.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.