The Champ

by Tonya Bolden

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.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Biography, Sports, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, African American

40 pages, Library Binding

First published December 28, 2004

About the author

Author and publisher Tonya Wilyce Bolden was born on March 1, 1959, in New York City to Georgia Bolden, a homemaker, and Willie Bolden, a garment center shipping manager. Bolden grew up in Harlem in a musical family and loved to read; she attended Public M.E.S. 146, an elementary school in Manhattan, and then graduated from the Chapin School, a private secondary school, in Manhattan in 1976. Bolden attended Princeton University in New Jersey, and, in 1981, obtained her B.A. degree in Slavic languages and literature with a Russian focus. Bolden was also a University Scholar and received the Nicholas Bachko, Jr. Scholarship Prize.

Upon graduating from Princeton University, Bolden began working as a salesperson for Charles Alan, Incorporated, a dress manufacturer, while working towards her M.A. degree at Columbia University. In 1985, Bolden earned her degree in Slavic languages and literature, as well as a Certificate for Advanced Study of the Soviet Union from the Harriman Institute; after this she began working as an office coordinator for Raoulfilm, Inc., assisting in the research and development of various film and literary products. Bolden worked as an English instructor at Malcolm-King College and New Rochelle School of New Resources while serving as newsletter editor of the HARKline, a homeless shelter newsletter.

In 1990, Bolden wrote her first book, The Family Heirloom Cookbook. In 1992, Bolden co-authored a children’s book entitled Mama, I Want To Sing along with Vy Higginsen, based on Higginsen’s musical. Bolden continued publishing throughout the 1990s, releasing Starting a Business from your Home, Mail-Order and Direct Response, The Book of African-American Women: 150 Crusaders, Creators, and Uplifters, And Not Afraid to Dare: The Stories of Ten African-American Women, American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm and The Champ. Bolden became editor of the Quarterly Black Review of Books in 1994, and served as an editor for 33 Things Every Girl Should Know, in 1998. Bolden’s writing career became even more prolific in the following decade; a partial list of her works include:, Our Souls: A Celebration of Black American Artists, Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century American Girl, MLK: Journey of a King, Take-Off: American All-Girl Bands During World War II, and George Washington Carver, a book she authored in conjunction with an exhibit about the famous African American inventor created by The Field Museum in Chicago.

(source; http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biogr...)

Reviews

[Chlöe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent reference book for children. It tells the rise of Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali)in an attention-grabbing narrative with eye-popping, animated illustrations. It is almost as if the illustrations and the print are moving on the page! You can almost hear the bell ringing for each round and the screams of the crowd shouting, "Ali! Ali! Ali!"

Bolden documents the early childhood of Ali, along with the story behind how Ali got into boxing. It recounts the highs and lows of Ali's boxing career and his personal trials: such as the events that led up to Ali having his championship title revoked.

I would use this book in guided reading sessions across Key Stage 2 classrooms. This would also be a great book for History research projects on positive role models. It could be used to gather information and could also be used for Art lessons (possibly observational drawings). I really enjoyed reading this book. The strengths lie in the visuals and they will help me to remember most of the information documented about Ali. This is without doubt a child friendly text. More reference and factual books should look as stunning as this one.

[Addison Littlejohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book becuase it not only is a book about an amazing boxer but it gets you engaged and it is very cool with it being a picture book. The book goes through Ali's life what his life as child and how things were when he was growing up. It also talked about him before he passed away and what he was like which you dont get to see much that anymore in some books. I would totally recommend this book in a classroom for kids to get to know who is Muhammad Ali.

[Lesley Burnap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout this book I could hear Ali’s own voice with all the bravado I remember. Growing up during the 70s I watched the fights and heard Ali banter with the sportscasters, especially Howard Cosell. I remember, too, a much older Ali standing with the Olympic torch in Atlanta for the Olympic Games. Great introduction to this incredible man’s life.

[Laura McLoughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent youth biography for Muhammed Ali. It was published in 2004 and only goes through Ali's lighting the Olympic torch in 1996 so it is a little out of date but excellent information on his early life/career/legal battles.

[Marisa Montgomery · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of Cassius Clay, who becomes known as the famous boxer, Muhammad Ali. When his bike was stolen, he decided he was gonna whup whoever stole it. He reported his stolen bike to the police and then Officer Joe decided to teach this small and skinny kid how to fight. Ali, began to box and learned that it was an intricate sport, his success grew from that moment on. He trained and trained until he became the heavy-weight champion on a worldwide level. Ali captured the hearts of everyone around the world.

The illustrations in this story are really unique, and I like the use of colors. Boxing isn't particularly interesting to me, so this isn't my favorite book.

I could use this story in language therapy to target onomatopoeia, sequencing of events, predicting and vocabulary.

[Neelam Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I came across during a History lesson at University. It documents the life of Cassius Clay, more commonly known as Muhammed Ali. This book is an excellent reference book for children which tells the reader about the rise and life of Muhammad Ali in the form of a story with eye-catching and stunning animated illustrations. The illustrations are a great element of this book and and will help pupils to remember most of the information. The narrative is written in a way which makes you feel as if you are there to witness the events.
This book features the early childhood of Ali along with how he got into boxing and recounts the highs and lows of his boxing career.

This would also be a great book to use in upper Key Stage 2 classrooms for History research projects on positive role models and hot seating activities. This could also be used in guided reading sessions across Key Stage 2 classrooms.

[Elizabeth]

I frequently found the illustration style off-putting because the characters looked unattractive -- which seemed particularly inappropriate given how pretty Ali thought himself to be.

I did like the story from his childhood about his love of dodging rocks :) And I hadn't previously known about the training camp he started.

I felt like this story was more direct and in-depth in its relaying of facts than Muhammad Ali: The People's Champion (from spending some time on his training to outlining his boxing style, from the description of his being refused service after winning the Olympics to the mention of the US government's seizure of his passport so he couldn't box abroad) -- though it still retained a lot of energy in the narrative voice (and the typesetting is very purposeful in that as well).

[Andre]

The story of "the champ" was a very remarkable book. Muhammad Ali was born on January 7,1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. Ali was named after his dad Cassius Marcellus clay. When he reached age 12 , loved riding his red-and-white Schwinn. When he went home that day, some one stole his bike. So straight away he started training and boxing . In late 1954 he had his first boxing match, And he won . He felt get good winning. So he decided to keep on going with boxing for a while. When he reached 18, he was in the Rome olympics And won gold in boxing.
I think this was an very interesting book to read. It has history of someone life, and it teaches deadication.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a picture book biography about the life and career of Muhammad Ali. Formerly known as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., this story uses poetic elements and unique illustrations to tell the story of his climb to the top of the boxing world. This book has themes of hard work, determination and success. I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars for the various artistic elements within the book that make you feel like you're in the ring. I think that it is appropriate for grades 3-6.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the writing in this poetically descriptive picture book biography of Muhammad Ali, but I don't care much for the illustrations.

http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/201...

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this was a really good biography. The illustrations are great and look hand painted. I also thought that the author made it interesting to read. It is also inspirtational and children can always use a good inspirational book to read.

[Kara Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kid friendly biography of Muhammad Ali told in poetic form. This would make a fantastic read aloud, and does not read like a timeline. I enjoyed the artwork, and would love to connect this to my classroom, especially since I teach in Muhammad Ali's hometown!

[Brian Cave · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography lets young readers look into the life of Muhammad Ali. Ali was one of the greatest boxers to ever grace the canvas of the ring, and this biography tells of the life of Ali.

[Shannon Kitchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so much more lyrical when Tonya read it aloud.

[Kayla Watkins]

If you want to read a book about Ali, this will be a great book.