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rebeshelton's review
4.0
A very sweet read. I knew nothing about Muhammad Ali before this book. I really like how it was told from two different points of view and one was his. Really helped me feel connected!
thenextgenlibrarian's review
5.0
I loved this mostly prose novel about Muhammad Ali. The illustrations were beautiful and the words were Kwame personified. I could see him in every word. I loved learning more about Cassius Clay. Great pick for #projectlit
maryhannawilson's review
4.0
Sure you have heard the name, Muhammad Ali, but how about Cassius Clay?
In this book, you'll travel back in time and join Muhammad Ali before he became a boxing champ when he was known to his family and friends as Cassius Clay. Readers will learn more about his family, his struggles, his friendships, and his boxing beginnings.
This was a good biography and a fun read. The book alternates between prose and poetry. There is a short prose introduction to each chapter and then the rest of the chapter is free verse poetry. Readers will learn specific events and struggles in the early life of Cassius Clay on his way to becoming a boxer. We are huge fans of Kwame Alexander in my house and while I enjoyed this book, it wasn't my favorite of his. It is a definite worthwhile read as a middle school biography!
In this book, you'll travel back in time and join Muhammad Ali before he became a boxing champ when he was known to his family and friends as Cassius Clay. Readers will learn more about his family, his struggles, his friendships, and his boxing beginnings.
This was a good biography and a fun read. The book alternates between prose and poetry. There is a short prose introduction to each chapter and then the rest of the chapter is free verse poetry. Readers will learn specific events and struggles in the early life of Cassius Clay on his way to becoming a boxer. We are huge fans of Kwame Alexander in my house and while I enjoyed this book, it wasn't my favorite of his. It is a definite worthwhile read as a middle school biography!
mrs_bookdragon's review
5.0
Thank you to Edelweiss for an eARC and for Libby.fm for sharing an audiobook.
I am a HUGE Kwame fan and will read ANYTHING he writes, so it was no question that I would fight to get this book as soon as I could. Even better, the audiobook was narrated by Kwame! And let me tell you, his voice told this story wonderfully-of course. I loved the mix of prose storytelling and then the signature rhyming poetry of Kwame. I went into this book not knowing much about Muhammad Ali, and maybe some of it was misinformation too, and I left this book feeling inspired and in awe of such a powerful man. I want to read more about him and others like him who fought for what they believed in. Thank you for telling this story!
I am a HUGE Kwame fan and will read ANYTHING he writes, so it was no question that I would fight to get this book as soon as I could. Even better, the audiobook was narrated by Kwame! And let me tell you, his voice told this story wonderfully-of course. I loved the mix of prose storytelling and then the signature rhyming poetry of Kwame. I went into this book not knowing much about Muhammad Ali, and maybe some of it was misinformation too, and I left this book feeling inspired and in awe of such a powerful man. I want to read more about him and others like him who fought for what they believed in. Thank you for telling this story!
bibliobrittish's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 - This was an illuminating read for me, with an interesting mix of verse and prose. The first person narrative style (and emphasis on plot over facts & figures) makes this one quite fun to listen to, a great fit for its intended audience, though not entirely for me. Beautifully, hopefully, and sometimes funnily told - I only wish there was more biographical information from later in Ali's life versus the quick recap in the final chapter.
pantehnreads's review
5.0
An absolutely cute book. I listened to the audio book which is narrated by Kwame Alexander, and he was super funny, and was able to use his voice to play multiple characters including Muhammad Ali. It was fun meeting a child Cassius. What an incredibly funny, smart, and adorably stubborn kid he was. Super glad that I was able to listen to the audiobook through Libby. I give it 5 stars, I have no complaints with this book. Oh and I really loved how it had poetry mixed it. Really great. Tehn out of 10 would recommend.
rachelannak's review
3.0
This was a great audiobook and biography of Muhammad Ali before he came Muhammad Ali. I can see some of my 3rd and 4th graders enjoying this!
akuhn90's review
5.0
Cute book detailing Cassius Clay's life- my students and I enjoyed the format of the book!
cjmedinger's review
4.0
Short but sweet - i think this would be better as a physical book and i read it as an audio.