The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie.

Reviewed by Isabelle Grant.

“When Dad went to a bank to borrow money to open a bookstore for black people, the banker said no. He said Dad could have a loan to sell fish and chips or fried chicken, but not books. The banker told him, ‘Black people don’t read.’ 

My Dad believed they would. He washed windows, saved pennies, and opened the bookstore.”

The Book Itch tells the story of The National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem. Providing readers with a child’s eye view of the civil rights movement, The Book Itch is written from the perspective of Lewis Jr, the young son of bookstore owner and civil rights activist, Lewis H. Michaux. The story follows Lewis Jr’s observations about the lively bookstore as well as the wisdom imparted to him by his father. Historic legends such as Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X are frequent visitors to the bookstore and their legacy is interwoven into Lewis Jr’s reflections. Lewis Jr notes that his home, the bookstore, is an important community gathering spot for Black people and recites his father’s words describing it as “the house of common sense and the home of proper propaganda.” 

Full of vibrant illustrations and witty dialogue, The Book Itch demonstrates the important role The National Memorial African Bookstore played in the civil rights movement and Lewis H. Michaux’s dedication to furthering the rights of African Americans by not only providing a place for Black people to explore books, read, and “learn their history,” but to gather, discuss and strategize “fighting for the same rights as white people.” 

With his father being a close advisor and confidant of Malcolm X, Lewis Jr is saddened and shaken when his father comes home to report Malcolm’s assassination. But, as always, Lewis Sr urges the boy to remain hopeful and diligent, reminding his son that “they think they got rid of him. But people won’t forget, Louie. His words will never leave us.” Lewis Jr reflects on what his father says and concludes to offer “Words. That’s why people need our bookstore.”

An inspiring and true tale of Black resistance and triumph, The Book Itch is an excellent resource for exploring the civil rights movement and learning more about the incredible work and impact of Lewis H. Michaux. This book can serve as a powerful window in your classroom and would be a wonderful anchor text to begin discussions around the civil rights movement as well as contemporary struggles against racial injustice. 

Vaunda Micheaux Nelson is a Coretta Scott King Award-winning American author. She cites her inspiration for researching and writing The Book Itch as “both professional and personal” as Lewis H. Michaux was her great-uncle. Nelson used transcripts and audio recordings of her great-uncle, as well as articles, books, family archives, and interviews as research for The Book Itch. She also heavily relied on the information given to her by Lewis Michaux Jr himself which is why she chose to imagine his perspective for her story. 

2 thoughts on “The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

  1. “Proper propaganda” is possibly the coolest phrase I’ve ever read. I like the connections this book makes to Black history, Black resilience, and Black success. And really demonstrates how important reading can be to a person or community.

  2. I’ve had this book on my “to read” list forever. Thank you for the nudge to read it! What a wonderful book on Black history.

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