125 pages • 4 hours read
James Patterson, Kwame AlexanderBecoming Muhammad Ali
Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Middle Grade | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander is a biographical and historical fiction novel about Cassius Clay’s childhood. The story spans from 1954 to 1958, depicting his early boxing career and experiences with racism in Louisville, Kentucky. Through the guidance of his family and a boxing coach, Joe Martin, Clay dreams of becoming the best boxer in the world. The novel discusses racial violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander is appreciated for its engaging narrative and inspirational depiction of young Muhammad Ali. The blend of prose and verse captivates young readers and brings Ali's early life to vivid life. However, some critics argue that the book oversimplifies complex events and lacks depth for older audiences.
Who Should Read Becoming Muhammad Ali?
A reader who enjoys sports biographies with an inspirational tone, like I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, will be captivated by Becoming Muhammad Ali. This book blends a compelling narrative with poetry, making it ideal for fans of books that highlight perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit, such as The Crossover by Kwame Alexander.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsBook Details
Auto/Biographical Fiction
Historical Fiction
African American Literature
Sports
Race / Racism
History: World
Emotions/Behavior: Courage
Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Life/Time: Coming of Age