9780062430168 |
0062430165 |
Available:*
Library | Material Type | Call Number | Shelf Location | Status | Item Holds |
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Searching... East Library | Children's Book | 796.83092 ALI | Children's-J-Biography | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
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Summary
Summary
"A high-quality children's biography that little readers are sure to enjoy. There are themes of hard work, determination, overcoming obstacles, boxing, sports, persistence, and confidence--something Muhammad Ali clearly had plenty of."*
In this picture book biography of Muhammad Ali, author Gene Barretta and illustrator Frank Morrison tell the unforgettable childhood story of this legendary boxing champion and how one pivotal moment set him on his path to become the Greatest of All Time.
The Louisville Lip. The Greatest. The People's Champion. Muhammad Ali had many nicknames. But before he became one of the most recognizable faces in the world, before the nicknames and the championships, before he converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali, he was twelve-year-old Cassius Clay riding a brand-new red-and-white bicycle through the streets of Louisville, Kentucky. One fateful day, this proud and bold young boy had that bike stolen, his prized possession, and he wouldn't let it go. Not without a fight.
This would be the day he discovered boxing. And a champion was born.
Back matter includes biographical overview, photos, bibliography, and more resources.
*Brightly.com
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-A kid named Cassius Clay discovers boxing in this nonfiction picture book. Barretta sets the scene through Muhammad Ali's three record-setting heavyweight championship titles. Oversize comic book-style action words ("POW!") highlight Ali knocking out Sonny Liston, George Foreman, and Leon Spinks. Circling back to Ali's childhood, Barretta recounts the oft-cited origin story of 12-year-old Cassius riding high on his brand-new bike. Unfortunately, the bike disappears, and when Cassius reports the theft to police officer and boxing coach Joe Martin, threatening to "whup" the thief, Martin suggests that he first learn how to fight. Regular sessions at the gym develop in Cassius a single-minded determination to be the greatest boxer in the world. As he becomes a more public figure, his self-confidence never wavers, effectively illustrated by a few choice quotes, bold and set apart from the mostly invented dialogue. Morrison's dynamic oil paintings complement Barretta's lively text, capturing a self-assured Ali in detailed spreads. Action scenes full of movement and intensity draw readers into the boxing ring and depict Ali's growth from a gangly youth to a dominant athlete. Two pages of unfailingly positive biographical information fill in the rest of Ali's career. A brief bibliography and suggestions for additional reading are also appended, but no source notes are included. VERDICT This is an attractive choice as an inspirational read-aloud, but report writers will want to seek more nuanced and thorough sources.-Chelsea Couillard-Smith, Hennepin County Library, MN © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Barretta (Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare) looks at how Muhammad Ali's boxing career got its start: after the young Cassius Clay's bike was stolen, a Louisville police officer encouraged him to spend time at a local boxing gym. Working in acrylic, Morrison (The Quickest Kid in Clarksville) creates visceral, dynamic action shots, whether it's a young Cassius racing down a rainy street on his bicycle or an opening fight sequence that shows him besting Sonny Liston, George Foreman, and Leon Spinks to claim the title of world heavyweight champion three times. An extensive afterword fills in details about Ali's life, faith, and activism. Ages 4-8. Agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
After 12-year-old Cassius Clay, as he was known then, had his new red bike stolen, he practiced at the gym and learned to fight back against injustice wherever he saw it. Illustrations in oils in rich browns, shades of grays, and white highlights show the fighter Muhammad Ali in many action poses exhibiting his strength and lightning speed. The strong diagonals in the compositions portray movement and excitement, from boyhood to boxing matches. A POW?!? in a large font peppers several pages as Ali conquers bout after bout to win 56 out of 61 professional fights. The People's Champion, he was one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, whose poetic statements are legendary (Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee His hands can't hit what his eyes can't see!). Back matter gives more information about his life in the ring, his conversion to the Nation of Islam, his struggles with Parkinson's, and his death, on June 3, 2016. Sure to provide inspiration for young readers.--Gepson, Lolly Copyright 2016 Booklist