The Champ [Hardcover]

Tonya Bolden (Author), R. Gregory Gregory Christie (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Muhammad Ali is one of the world’s best-known figures, and this incredible biography delves into precisely why. From his unlikely beginnings as a skinny, young Cassius Clay learning to box at a local gym to becoming the heavyweight champion of the world at the famous “Rumble in the Jungle,” where even the skies let loose with rain right after his victory, Ali has captivated the world. Tonya Bolden’s careful research and elegant telling, paired with R. Gregory Christie’s incredible paintings, make this a book that will inform and inspire readers of all ages.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 1-5 - This picture-book biography touches on some of the most complex and fascinating aspects of the boxing champion's life, such as his conversion to Islam, his refusal to fight in Vietnam, and his penchant for boastful rhymes. Bolden's engaging text has a free-verse structure punctuated with enthusiastic exclamations that is enjoyable to read aloud. The book is ideal for browsing or to highlight in a booktalk, but it may not appeal to patrons seeking a straightforward source for assignments or young sports fans who want to see realistic art. The illustrations are striking from a graphic-design standpoint: Christie's use of bold pinks and yellows, sketchy pencil lines, and dark strokes of paint illuminate the playful text and emphasize Ali's exciting life and flamboyant personality. This is a fine addition for collections with several titles about the champ and for libraries where this artist's work is popular. - Anne M. Holcomb, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-5. In simple, clear, and lively text, Bolden introduces both Ali the fighter and Ali the activist. Beginning with Ali's childhood in Louisville, Bolden retells the famous anecdote of Ali choosing to become a boxer after his beloved Schwinn bicycle was stolen. Then come the highlights of Ali's biography: his Olympic medal, heavyweight championship, conversion to Islam, refusal to be drafted, and the activism and brilliant victories that marked the latter half of his career. Bolden also includes several of Ali's famous rhymed poems. These, along with the use of repetition and action words, make for a lively text. The words interact well with Christie's sturdy acrylic paintings so that, for instance, when we see Ali punching at the heavy bag, the text slants as the bag does, as if the words themselves are feeling Ali's power. While this book acknowledges Ali as a controversial figure, it largely portrays him as a man who "loved people--all people." That certainly wasn't true, especially early on, but kids will respond to the message. John Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (December 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375824014
• ISBN-13: 978-0375824012
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.3 x 14.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,391,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest, February 20, 2008

By 

Enrique Torres "Rico" (San Diegotitlan, Califas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Champ (Paperback)

I don't believe in hero worship, let alone living hero worship but Ali comes as close to a hero as you can get. This book does a good job of sheding light on why Ali is idolized and held in reverence by so many people throughout the world. The book moves quickly through the major events of Ali's life in a manner that is easy to digest for young, impressionable minds. The children's book is light and easy to hold and has plenty of art to capture the imagination. As with any children's book it is important to add information and clarity to subjects brought about in the book. For example, when the issue of the draft and his refusal to go into the Army is raised, the adult should explain, in more depth, about the time period; supplement the information ,if you will. The unorthodox written style, a free-verse structure, that is highlighted by the text being in different sizes, sometimes straight, some times at an angle, results in a fun and clever way at looking at a children's book. As with many children's books, the art work is one of the major strengths of the book. The art is as exuberant as the the subject matter. This book is a nice introduction into the life of Muhammad Ali for children in the primary grades. Recommended for community and primary grade libraries K-6.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Big Subject well condensed, September 17, 2006

By 

Gwynne C. Spencer (Mancos, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Champ (Hardcover)

It's hard to distill a complex adult's whole life into a picture book, but it's well done here. Cassius Clay become Ali, losses, recapture of the championships, his defeats, his major life changes are well presented with impressionist art. This could be a good core title to challenge young researchers on how they would condense a person's life into a 32-page picture book, and because there is not one iota of "cute" in this, it would be effectively used in a biographies unit at any grade level. SOmetimes picture book biographies tend toward "sappy" but this one maintains its rhythm and integrity well.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lord of the ring, February 17, 2005

By 

Anne B. Levy "bookbuds.net" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Champ (Hardcover)

Controversy dogged the boxer born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., much of it invited. It's all here - the rhyming brags and swagger that earned him headlines and ruffled opponents, his conversion to the Nation of Islam, his refusal to serve in Vietnam and subsequent court battle.

He was either an inspirational symbol of defiance against injustice, or a loudmouth buffoon who overstayed his welcome in the ring, depending on your perspective. Nor does Bolden shy from his pathetic decline from too many blows to the head, leaving a palsied echo of the proud and loud pugilist.

Christie sums up entire bouts in a few expressionistic squiggles, and in the next frame can capture both the champ's grace and grit. The acrylic colors are bold, the brushstrokes bolder, as if any canvass - including the ones Ali fought on - could ever capture a character so much larger than life.