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Float Like a Butterfly by Ntozake Shange
Muhammad Ali, considered by many to be the finest athlete of the twentieth century, is also one of the most famous Americans of his time. Here is a compelling testimony to his courage, resilience in the face ofcontroversy, and boxing prowess by Obie Award-winning author Ntozake Shange. In her own words, Shange shows us Ali and his life, from his childhood in the segregated South to his meteoric rise in boxing to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World. Edel Rodriguez's stunning artwork combines pastels, monoprint woodblock ink linework and spray paint on colored papers to capture Ali's power, spontaneity, and energy. A time line and list of additional resources and Web sites help make this a standout picture book biography of the man known around the world as 'The Greatest.'
Hardcover
First published September 1, 2002
83 people want to read
About the author
Ntozake Shange
79 books791 followersNtozake Shange (pronounced En-toe-ZAHK-kay SHONG-gay) was an African-American playwright, performance artist, and writer who is best known for her Obie Award winning play for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf.
Among her honors and awards are fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, and a Pushcart Prize.
Among her honors and awards are fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, and a Pushcart Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 1, 2021
This 40 page biography beautifully presents major events of the famous boxer's life without going in to much explanation. While it is an AR 4.7, it is still a picture book, and might work better for younger kids with some conversation and context, than for middle grade readers looking for anything in-depth about the beloved hero. While following his life, the reader sees him as a child growing up before he becomes famous, and sees that even after he retires, he is so much more than just a boxer, he is a compassionate leader, icon, and humanitarian.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky in the Pre-Civil Rights South as Cassius Clay, he struggled to understand why there was only a white superman, and questioned if heaven was divided up by color and income like Smoketown.
Cassius loved the power of words and would help his father make rhymes as a sign painter. When his bike gets stolen he is motivated to learn to fight so that nothing else is ever taken from him and his. He may not be the colored superman, but he is determined to be lightening fast and have fists that fly.
In 1960 at age 18 he won Olympic Gold. In 1964 he converted/reverted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali days after becoming the Heavyweight Champion of the World. His titles were stripped from him, however, when he refused to fight in Vietnam.
Years later in 1971, the Supreme Court reversed his convictions for not fighting and in 1974 he reclaimed his title by beating George Foreman in "The Rumble in the Jungle." In 1981 after winning, keeping and losing the title, Muhammad Ali retired from boxing for good.
Muhammad Ali suffered from Parkinson's disease but still donated his time, his money and himself. He believed in perseverance, and equality, and fought for what he believed in. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 74.
This is an updated edition from the 2002 originally published book, it now includes his death. I wish it was more than a fleshed out timeline and showed him as a person, or what it was like to lose everything when standing up for something you believe in, or explained what some of his catch phrases meant, or really just as a more high energy celebration of his life.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky in the Pre-Civil Rights South as Cassius Clay, he struggled to understand why there was only a white superman, and questioned if heaven was divided up by color and income like Smoketown.
Cassius loved the power of words and would help his father make rhymes as a sign painter. When his bike gets stolen he is motivated to learn to fight so that nothing else is ever taken from him and his. He may not be the colored superman, but he is determined to be lightening fast and have fists that fly.
In 1960 at age 18 he won Olympic Gold. In 1964 he converted/reverted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali days after becoming the Heavyweight Champion of the World. His titles were stripped from him, however, when he refused to fight in Vietnam.
Years later in 1971, the Supreme Court reversed his convictions for not fighting and in 1974 he reclaimed his title by beating George Foreman in "The Rumble in the Jungle." In 1981 after winning, keeping and losing the title, Muhammad Ali retired from boxing for good.
Muhammad Ali suffered from Parkinson's disease but still donated his time, his money and himself. He believed in perseverance, and equality, and fought for what he believed in. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 74.
This is an updated edition from the 2002 originally published book, it now includes his death. I wish it was more than a fleshed out timeline and showed him as a person, or what it was like to lose everything when standing up for something you believe in, or explained what some of his catch phrases meant, or really just as a more high energy celebration of his life.
November 29, 2020
Book title: Float Like a Butterfly
Author: Ntozake Shange
Illustrator: Edel Rodriguez
Reading level: LG
Book level: 4.7
Book summary: A biography about Muhammad Ali, focusing on key points from his childhood, his boxing skills, and beliefs & conventions.
Bookshelf mentor writing trait(s):
Ideas - The author has managed to narrow a large topic (Muhammad Ali's life) into a clear, tight story. While touching on key moments of Ali's life, the author puts emphasis on Ali's beliefs and touching on his strong courage, resilience, and dedication to social justice and equality. The author uses unique details that one might not often find in a children's biography book. Fantastic illustrations supplement the author's ideas.
Voice - You can tell that the author feels strongly about Ali (they even refer to Ali as the finest athlete of the 20th century). You can hear the author's voice in lines such as "He believed in perseverance. He believed in generosity. He is a hero for all time." While this is a biography, we can see that the author has strong feelings about Ali and is sure to use the limited number of pages to portray Ali as an icon worth remembering.
Other suggestions:
I would include this reading during black history month; it also pairs well into any lessons or units that may touch on the civil rights events that occurred during the 1960's. Ali refuses the draft to fight in Vietnam; this is an example of staying true to yourself and making a strong political decision which can have major impacts.
Author: Ntozake Shange
Illustrator: Edel Rodriguez
Reading level: LG
Book level: 4.7
Book summary: A biography about Muhammad Ali, focusing on key points from his childhood, his boxing skills, and beliefs & conventions.
Bookshelf mentor writing trait(s):
Ideas - The author has managed to narrow a large topic (Muhammad Ali's life) into a clear, tight story. While touching on key moments of Ali's life, the author puts emphasis on Ali's beliefs and touching on his strong courage, resilience, and dedication to social justice and equality. The author uses unique details that one might not often find in a children's biography book. Fantastic illustrations supplement the author's ideas.
Voice - You can tell that the author feels strongly about Ali (they even refer to Ali as the finest athlete of the 20th century). You can hear the author's voice in lines such as "He believed in perseverance. He believed in generosity. He is a hero for all time." While this is a biography, we can see that the author has strong feelings about Ali and is sure to use the limited number of pages to portray Ali as an icon worth remembering.
Other suggestions:
I would include this reading during black history month; it also pairs well into any lessons or units that may touch on the civil rights events that occurred during the 1960's. Ali refuses the draft to fight in Vietnam; this is an example of staying true to yourself and making a strong political decision which can have major impacts.
May 12, 2017
Just as compelling now as when it was first published fifteen years ago, this new edition of Shange and Rodriguez’ biography of Muhammad Ali contains just one change from the original: it now lists Ali’s death in 2016. For those who think of Ali as just a boxer, the focus here is on much more than that. Along with the main events of his life in the ring, Ali’s boisterous spirit is conveyed to readers. The many hurdles he overcame, including racism, his conscientious objection to the draft followed by prosecution for draft evasion, and his losses as well as wins are unflinchingly reported. Some of Ali’s most famous rhymes about himself appear, such as the one that led to the title of the biography, “I’m Muhammad Ali. / I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. / There’s nobody bigger or better than me.” The flashy, eye-catching illustrations convey Ali’s larger than life energy in each frame. Given how rich the material is for discussion, this would work as a read-aloud from preschool all the way up through middle school or as an informative text for grades 1 to 3. Purchase in elementary school libraries or public libraries that either don’t already have the original or that need to replace worn out copies. Also appropriate for inclusion in middle school picture book collections.
August 9, 2017
This updated edition came into my library today and, since I had already checked out a middle-grade graphic novel about Ali, I had to grab this one, too, and read it as well. The author, in her preface, says "Muhammad Ali gave me hope and courage. He still does." I have long felt the same way, growing up in a sports-addicted household with a physical education teacher for a father, and now as the member of a family obsessed with martial arts. But Ali is not just a hero for his boxing, as Shange points out. His principled stand against the Vietnam War and the way he lived his faith by giving his time, energy, and fortune to children - these are the ways he proved himself a hero. I loved the summary sentences about his beliefs - in excellence, equal rights, perseverance, and generosity. The book made me wonder what he would have to say, just over a year after his death, about some of the things taking place in our country right now. Beautifully illustrated with helpful lists of dates and resources at the end. The illustrator, Edel Rodriguez, really captured the exuberance and irrepressible self-confidence of the boy who would grow up to become "The Greatest."
November 4, 2019
From his childhood in the segregated South to a meteoric rise in boxing, Cassius Clay became the heavyweight champion of the world. Readers can hear his voice in a few of his signature rhymes.
The author’s use of repetition gives shape to the story. “Muhammad Ali believed in excellence. He believed in equal rights for all people. …believed in perseverance. …in generosity.” Each of these statements supplies a setting for a highlight from Ali’s career.
Through hard work and practice, he developed his own style. He refused to fight in Viet Nam. He trained intensely. Currently he donates time, money, and his presence to children around the world.
The artist uses mixed media, a combination of pastels, woodblock ink and spray paint, in an impressionistic style to capture Ali’s power. A chronology of important dates and a short list of additional resources are also included. A memorable book, it conveys the personal challenges, and honors the humanity, of a living legend.
The author’s use of repetition gives shape to the story. “Muhammad Ali believed in excellence. He believed in equal rights for all people. …believed in perseverance. …in generosity.” Each of these statements supplies a setting for a highlight from Ali’s career.
Through hard work and practice, he developed his own style. He refused to fight in Viet Nam. He trained intensely. Currently he donates time, money, and his presence to children around the world.
The artist uses mixed media, a combination of pastels, woodblock ink and spray paint, in an impressionistic style to capture Ali’s power. A chronology of important dates and a short list of additional resources are also included. A memorable book, it conveys the personal challenges, and honors the humanity, of a living legend.
July 13, 2017
Shange, Ntozake Float Like a Butterfly, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez. PICTURE BOOK. Disney Hyperion, 2017 (originally published in 2002). $17.99. Content: G.
This picture book biography of Muhammad Ali describes his childhood in segregated Kentucky, his parents perseverance and his own rise to fame through courage and determination.
The text is punctuated with bold capitalization and boxing match style posters, and the story focuses on his dedication to civil rights. There is a timeline of important dates as well as a list of additional resources. The addition of his death date (June 3, 2016) seems to be the only update from the original edition. It was too brief and simple to be used as a springboard for a biography project.
EL (K-3) OPTIONAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
This picture book biography of Muhammad Ali describes his childhood in segregated Kentucky, his parents perseverance and his own rise to fame through courage and determination.
The text is punctuated with bold capitalization and boxing match style posters, and the story focuses on his dedication to civil rights. There is a timeline of important dates as well as a list of additional resources. The addition of his death date (June 3, 2016) seems to be the only update from the original edition. It was too brief and simple to be used as a springboard for a biography project.
EL (K-3) OPTIONAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
May 12, 2017
Muhammad Ali is given superhero status in this exuberant picture book biography. The real standout is the artwork, with large, images bursting from the page and seemingly continuing outside it. The bright, broad images, with much bright red, channeling Superman in lovely brown skin, are done in pastel, gouache and spray paint on a colored background, combined with delicate lines of woodblock ink. The result is both painterly and comic book. The text, however, is just lacking in substance, with quotes from Ali, but no interpretation of their meaning. Luckily, back matter fills in the gaps with a chronology and additional resources. This is a reissue originally published in 2002.
Although visually very appealing, this books offers only the bare bones of an understanding of the subject.
Although visually very appealing, this books offers only the bare bones of an understanding of the subject.
June 21, 2017
This picture book biography of Muhammad Ali describes his childhood in segregated Kentucky, his parents perseverance and his own rise to fame through courage and determination.
The text is punctuated with bold capitalization and boxing match style posters, and the story focuses on his dedication to civil rights. There is a timeline of important dates as well as a list of additional resources. The addition of his death date (June 3, 2016) seems to be the only update from the original edition. It was too brief and simple to be used as a springboard for a biography project.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
The text is punctuated with bold capitalization and boxing match style posters, and the story focuses on his dedication to civil rights. There is a timeline of important dates as well as a list of additional resources. The addition of his death date (June 3, 2016) seems to be the only update from the original edition. It was too brief and simple to be used as a springboard for a biography project.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
June 26, 2017
This is what a young reader's biography should be like! Bold illustrations, well written sparse text that is passionate and full of meaning; meaning that can be explored further through conversation with older readers and research. Many aspects of Ali's life are explored: his childhood, his parents' values, social issues of the times, Ali's struggles and personal beliefs, and his passion to become the best. Rhyming quotes (Ali had a knack for rhyming) are peppered throughout the story and the story begins and ends with text in the format of a boxing event poster of the times.
February 5, 2023
"I tell you true, now. I may not be the colored Superman but I'm gonna have fist that fly. That's for sure.
You know what else?
I am gonna be the GREATEST BOXER of all time.
You hear me?
I'm gonna be THE GREATEST!"
This book was a reminder of perseverance and strive for excellence.
You know what else?
I am gonna be the GREATEST BOXER of all time.
You hear me?
I'm gonna be THE GREATEST!"
This book was a reminder of perseverance and strive for excellence.
July 20, 2017
I LOVE this book! I wish it was longer! The illustrations are amazing! The text is simple but inspiring. What an incredible athlete and hero!
November 1, 2019
It was interesting to see the story of a professional fighter and how he stood up for what he believed. This would be a good book to have on a shelf.
December 3, 2012
It was an ok read.
I'm not that big of a fan of boxing or Muhammad Ali so I didn't really enjoy this book.
It was a good story. This talked about his life starting as a young boy living in a segregated world and moving up the ladder of success. He becomes the greatest heavy weight championship in the world!
Great illustrations as well!
I'm not that big of a fan of boxing or Muhammad Ali so I didn't really enjoy this book.
It was a good story. This talked about his life starting as a young boy living in a segregated world and moving up the ladder of success. He becomes the greatest heavy weight championship in the world!
Great illustrations as well!
October 31, 2014
This is a great portrayal of Ali's life and struggles. There is a bit of violence in the book in Ali's actions that aren't explained so that children would be able to understand why the fighting occurred. Definitely have a talk with kids about the sport of boxing before reading this book.
February 3, 2008
This is the story of the young boy, Cassius Clay, who wanted to become a boxer. This story also displays the racial issues that were present when Clay was a boy. The illustrations are amazing.
October 19, 2014
fun font choices. helpful morals and ideas. i liked that it addressed what he does now.
June 29, 2016
nice introduction. shows why inspiration
April 21, 2017
Good introductory biography originally released in 2002.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews