Muhammad Ali: A Champion Is Born

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 2016 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

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 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"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."—School Library Journal