Three gripping novels about race, family, and social justice are the focus of the FREE and virtual Coming of Age in YA Fiction author panel with the Virginia Festival of the Book on Sat. March 20, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.
One of those books, Malcolm and Me, written by Richmond-based award-winning, veteran journalist Robin Farmer, is told from the perspective of 13-year-old Roberta, a Black girl in the 1970s.
“I set the story in the 1970s because the incident in the opening chapter happened to me then and it changed my life,” Farmer wrote in an email referring to a time when a taunting teacher made racist remarks toward Roberta at the beginning of the story, setting the scene for the rest of the book. “While the novel is not autobiographical, much of it is fictionalized, I wanted to capture in Roberta the confusion and anger I felt, especially with adult hypocrisy.”
Robin Farmer, author of Malcolm and Me. Photo credit: Virginia Center for the Book.
The protagonist of Malcolm and Me is a poet with a mind of her own. This specific instance leads to a downward spiral of relationships, a growing awareness of racism in the education system, and religious experiences. With an upcoming essay contest, Roberta does her best to stay focused while difficult familial truths come to the forefront. As she deals with these events, Roberta questions her identity and role in society.
Throughout the book, Roberta faces several race-related struggles, as she is one of the few non-white students in her Catholic school.
“I wanted to make sense out of an awful incident, write a story with better outcomes and clear lessons,” Farmer said. “Certainly bits of Roberta share my DNA. Like her, I have a disdain for liars, bullies, fake Bible thumpers and racists. Like her, the Autobiography of Malcolm X influenced me deeply.”
To deal with the racism that young Black girls faced in the seventies, Roberta learns to put her grievances and sorrows on paper through poetic writing. Poetry was something Farmer thoughtfully implemented.
“I wrote poetry as a kid and recently started writing it again,” said Farmer. “Everything you need to know about great writing you can learn from great poetry.”
Full of twists and turns, the reader begins to sympathize with Roberta’s struggle as she expresses her sorrow through writing.
The title of this novel, Malcolm and Me, is a reference to Malcolm X, a human rights activist who inspired Roberta to stand up for what was right as she read his autobiography, a book treasured by the character’s father.
“Certainly bits of Roberta share my DNA,” said Farmer. “Like her, I have a disdain for liars, bullies, fake Bible thumpers and racists. Like her, the Autobiography of Malcolm X influenced me deeply.”
From the point of view of a spunky teenage girl, the heavy truths that come with prejudice are depicted in light-hearted and comedic lines. Roberta’s hilarious internal thought process mixed with her blunt diction makes for an entertaining story, full of both heartbreaking and heartwarming scenes.
Novelists Robin Farmer (Malcolm and Me) discusses their coming-of-age YA novel that grapple with race, social justice, family, friendship, and romance s part of the all-virtual 2021 Virginia Festival of the Book, this event is FREE to attend and open to the public.
Malcolm and Me is promised to make you smile, laugh out loud, and cry. The heavy subject matter makes it a perfect story for young adults, which can also transcend through several generations and be enjoyed by everyone. This phenomenal novel is perfect for starting important conversations of race in the education system, identity, and family relations.
*****
Virginia Festival of the Book Coming of Age in YA Fiction, FREE, virtual panel Sat., March 20, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. featuring novelists Mahogany Browne (Chlorine Sky), Robin Farmer (Malcolm and Me), and Ed Lin (David Tung Can’t Have A Girlfriend Until He Gets Into An Ivy League College) discuss their coming-of-age YA novels that grapple with race, social justice, family, friendship, and romance. To attend, register or simply make plans to watch on Facebook.com/VaBookFest. The video recording from this event will also be available to watch after the event concludes, on VaBook.org/Watch.
– -By Becca Mullins
Richmond on the Cheap intern Becca Mullins is a sixteen year old, currently residing in Mechanicsville, VA. She is an aspiring English teacher who loves Richmond and exploring new things. Becca is excited to contribute to RVA on the Cheap!
Be sure to subscribe to email updates, follow @rvacheap on Twitter or like RVA (Richmond) on the Cheap on Facebook to stay in the know about the latest freebies & deals.
More things to do in and around Richmond:
Seven Spots to See Cherry Blossoms in the Richmond Area
RVA on the Cheap is a member of