Two heavy-hitters in children's literature deliver a critically
acclaimed, bestselling biographical novel of cultural icon Muhammad
Ali.
"This utterly delightful story about Ali's childhood is a smash
hit."--School Library Journal (starred review)
Before he was a household name, Cassius Clay was a kid with struggles
like any other. Kwame Alexander and James Patterson join forces to
vividly depict his life up to age seventeen in both prose and verse,
including his childhood friends, struggles in school, the racism he
faced, and his discovery of boxing. Readers will learn about Cassius'
family and neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky, and how, after a thief
stole his bike, Cassius began training as an amateur boxer at age
twelve. Before long, he won his first Golden Gloves bout and began his
transformation into the unrivaled Muhammad Ali.
Fully authorized by and written in cooperation with the Muhammad Ali
estate, and vividly brought to life by Dawud Anyabwile's dynamic
artwork, Becoming Muhammad Ali captures the budding charisma and
youthful personality of one of the greatest sports heroes of all time.
Longlisted for the 2022-2023 Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award, and
nominated for the 2021-2022 Black Eyed Susan Book Award!