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Becoming Muhammad Ali — Content Guide for Parents

By James Patterson, Kwame AlexanderLittle Brown2022-05-03ISBN 9780316498173320 pages
Becoming Muhammad Ali

Themes present

Racial/cultural content

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ViolenceScary contentReligious themesProfanityClimate changeSexual identityGender rolesLGBTQ+ themes

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

Two heavy-hitters in children's literature deliver a critically acclaimed, bestselling biographical novel of cultural icon Muhammad Ali.



★ "This utterly delightful story about Ali's childhood is a smash hit."--School Library Journal (starred review)



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 twelve. 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, and vividly brought to life by Dawud Anyabwile's dynamic artwork, Becoming Muhammad Ali captures the budding charisma and youthful personality of one of the greatest sports heroes of all time.



Longlisted for the 2022-2023 Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award, and nominated for the 2021-2022 Black Eyed Susan Book Award!

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Becoming Muhammad Ali appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The search results do not indicate any violence in 'Becoming Muhammad Ali'. The narrative is described as a poetic portrait of Ali's childhood, focusing on his development rather than violent themes. The search results do not indicate any scary content in 'Becoming Muhammad Ali'. The book is described as a lyrical portrayal of Ali's childhood without elements intended to frighten readers.

  • Does Becoming Muhammad Ali have violence?

    The search results do not indicate any violence in 'Becoming Muhammad Ali'. The narrative is described as a poetic portrait of Ali's childhood, focusing on his development rather than violent themes.

  • Does Becoming Muhammad Ali have scary content?

    The search results do not indicate any scary content in 'Becoming Muhammad Ali'. The book is described as a lyrical portrayal of Ali's childhood without elements intended to frighten readers.

  • Does Becoming Muhammad Ali have religious themes?

    No religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies are mentioned in the search results. The book is described as a biographical account of Muhammad Ali's early life without explicit religious content.

  • Does Becoming Muhammad Ali have racial/cultural content?

    The book addresses themes of racism and discrimination that Muhammad Ali faced during his childhood in Louisville, Kentucky. It highlights the systemic racism prevalent in society and Ali's experiences as an African American.

  • Does Becoming Muhammad Ali have profanity?

    There is no mention of profanity in the search results for 'Becoming Muhammad Ali'. The content is aimed at a younger audience and does not include strong language.

  • Does Becoming Muhammad Ali have climate change?

    No climate themes are present in the search results for 'Becoming Muhammad Ali'. The content primarily revolves around Ali's biography and does not address environmental issues.

  • Does Becoming Muhammad Ali have sexual identity?

    No sexual content is mentioned in the search results. The book is characterized as a biographical work aimed at younger readers, focusing on Ali's childhood and early experiences.

  • Does Becoming Muhammad Ali have gender roles?

    No specific gender roles are discussed in the search results. The focus is on Muhammad Ali's life and experiences rather than traditional or modern gender roles.

  • Does Becoming Muhammad Ali have lgbtq+ themes?

    No LGBTQ+ themes detected in the search results for 'Becoming Muhammad Ali'. The content focuses on the formative years of Muhammad Ali without reference to LGBTQ+ characters or themes.