Becoming Muhammad Ali

Becoming Muhammad Ali is a compelling biographical novel for middle-grade readers, co-authored by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander. It chronicles the early life of Cassius Clay, later Muhammad Ali, from his childhood in Louisville, Kentucky, up to his seventeenth birthday. The narrative skillfully weaves together prose and verse to depict his experiences with racism, his struggles in school, the pivotal moment he discovered boxing after his bike was stolen, and his rapid rise as an amateur boxer. Fully authorized by the Muhammad Ali estate, this book offers an intimate look at the formative years of a cultural icon, highlighting his budding charisma, perseverance, and the societal challenges he overcame. It's an excellent choice for readers interested in history, sports, and stories of personal triumph.

From two heavy-hitters in children's literature comes a biographical novel of cultural icon Muhammad Ali, jointly published by Jimmy Patterson Books and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books or Young Readers. 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 12. 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, Becoming Muhammad Ali dynamically captures the budding charisma and youthful personality of one of the greatest sports heroes of all time.