Hello Everyone! You may have heard that the Michigan Humanities Council has chosen X: A Novel by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon as the 2017-2018 Great Michigan Read. This book, co-authored by Malcolm X's daughter, brings this controversial Michigan historical figure's early life into focus. It is appropriate for young adult readers but provides high interest material for adults. It includes humanizing stories about Malcolm X's relationship with his family of origin as he grew up in and around Lansing, Michigan and later left the state. Presented in novel format, it is a revealing look at the life of this young man coming of age amidst the racism of the 1930s and 1940s before he developed as one of the pre-eminent African-American leaders of the 20th century. Programming around the book is strongly encouraged and this is where MeL comes in and libraries across the state can shine. A look in MeLCat<http://mel.org/melcat> reveals that almost 100 Michigan libraries carry the movie Malcolm X, directed by Spike Lee. If you are able, incorporate the movie into programming or encourage community members who will be attending a book discussion to watch the movie and look for similarities and differences in the telling of Malcolm X's life story. The film is a faithful and respectful adaptation of Alex Haley's The Autobiography of Malcolm X. MeLCat contains biographies, speeches, and even graphic novels on Malcolm X. Encourage cross-reading for greater understanding. But wait! There's more! What do the databases<http://mel.org/databases> have to share with us? Historical, academic and news stories on Malcolm X's eventful life: Black nationalism, Pan-Africanism, the Nation of Islam, his conversion to Sunni Islam, how making the Hajj pilgrimage changed him, his fraught relationship with Muhammad Ali, hosting Fidel Castro in Harlem, his complicated relationship with Martin Luther King, his relationship with his family and his untimely death at the hands of assassins. In particular, do a search in Academic OneFile<http://www.galesupport.com/migeoipcheck/migeoipcheck-gale.php?database=AONE> and BritannicaSchool<http://www.galesupport.com/migeoipcheck/migeoipcheck-brit.php?database=BRSCHOOL> for articles, reviews, images, videos and more or MeL's eBook K-8 Collection<http://galesupport.com/migeoipcheck/migeoipcheck-ebsco.php?database=EBK8> for eBooks and MeL's GVRL Collection<http://www.galesupport.com/migeoipcheck/migeoipcheck-gale.php?database=GVRL.melbc1> for reference eBooks on Malcom X. If you haven't participated in the Great Michigan Read<http://www.michiganhumanities.org/2017-18-great-michigan-read/> before, you might like to know that partner libraries are eligible for free supplemental materials such as reader's guides, teacher's guides, posters, bookmarks and up to 30 free copies of the book. Even if you choose not to become a partner this year, it's likely that community members who do participate will be turning to you for information about Malcolm X. Help them by turning to MeL! MeL databases are available to Michigan residents or Michigan library access only. MeL Minutes are brought to you by the Library of Michigan. Want more information on MeL? Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs, email us at contact@mel.org<mailto:contact@mel.org>, visit http://mel.org<http://mel.org/>, or Sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery<https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MILOM/subscriber/new>. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks. Warm regards, Deb and Sonya D. R. Biggs and Sonya Norris Library of Michigan/Michigan Department of Education 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 http://mel.org<http://mel.org/> Like MeL on Facebook - http://facebook.com/mel.org