Muhammad Ali: American Champion

Children's Literature

Books written in graphic format are favorites of mine! It makes it perfect for students who are reluctant readers and never seem to finish a book on their own. It is also a wonderful way to introduce nonfiction books to young people. Young adults who want to read anything they can get their hands on will enjoy the graphics, exhilarating stories, and fast paced text. The full-color graphics make an enormous impact on the story. The author includes a box on most pages that includes narration that gives extra information to the reader to help with comprehension. Vocabulary has been well selected, and this book is an excellent resource that could be used for writing a summary, a book report, or as a source for research. The reader will learn how Ali began boxing when he had his bike stolen as a child and wanted to find the person to took it and beat him up. A wise police officer who taught boxing took Mohammad under his wing and taught him the fine art of boxing. From there, the reader will follow his career. They will also read about how Rope a Dope and the Ali Shuffle were moves Ali made in the ring. There are four chapters in just 27 pages, and all major facts are well covered. At the end of the book, the author includes two pages of more information. In addition, there is a Glossary, Read More Section, Internet Sites, Bibliography, and Index. I highly recommend this book for children who want to start their own personal libraries, for classroom and school libraries, and for enticing the reluctant reader. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs