Pocket Bios: Muhammad Ali

Pocket Bios

by Al Berenger

A colorfully illustrated, pocket-size picture book biography of the famous professional boxer and activist Muhammad Ali.

Muhammad Ali remains one of the most inspiring and celebrated sports figures today. A gold-medal Olympian and multi-title winning boxer, Ali was an important civil rights activist. From his childhood growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, to his amateur boxing training beginning at the age of 12, to his achievements within the professional boxing ring and beyond as a conscientious objector, follow this extraordinary man's life and accomplishments.

These colorful, pocket-size biographies are full of personality, introducing readers to fascinating figures from history with simple storytelling and cheerful illustrations. Pocket Bios titles include men and women from history, exploration, the sciences, the arts, the ancient world, and more.

Genres: Biography, Childrens, Sports

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 17, 2018

Reviews

[Megan Eskridge]

This book describes Muhammed Ali’s boxing career in a brief timeline. The book begins by explaining how he began boxing leading to his match to become world champion. The illustrations in the book help describe the texts in the book with using bright and dark colors depending on the mood. This biography also includes a timeline, Muhammed Ali’s Journey, a map key, people to know, and a few facts. This book is very informative and is a great read aloud or short book to share in a classroom!

[Ro Menendez]

The Pocket Bio Series should not be mistaken for a very young reader's beginner's biography because of it's physical dimensions and cartoon-style illustrations. Its word count is much higher and events such as racism, suicide, and loss of life through war and violence are mentioned as part of the story of the subject's life, when applicable. Each spread has a title and text on the left side, including the years the events detailed on the page took place, and a related illustration on the right side. Four interesting and useful sections are at the end of each biography: a Timeline with added events not necessarily mentioned in the text, a map that details the locations of important events with a Map Key and a short description of why the location was included, and most interesting of all a People to Know section that explores the idea that the subject of the biography did not live, work and achieve in isolation, the last section, Did You Know? offers interesting facts not discussed in the main text. A few of Ali's Pocket Bio events worth mentioning: Ali lost his World Campion title when he refused to go fight in Vietnam, he was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years, he suffered from Parkinson's Disease but that did not stop him from lighting the flame of the 1996 Olympic Games and creating awareness of the need for a cure for this disease. This biography gives readers, grades 2 and up, enough information to decide if they wish to pursue a more in depth study of the subject's life. There are many Muhammad Ali biographies for elementary school readers available, therefore this one should not be a priority purchase.

[Barbara]

Boxing champion Muhammad Ali, who lost his heavyweight title for his political beliefs, is the focus in this small, pocket-size biography. Readers learn about his formative years and his training as well as the ups and downs in his career since the book is organized according to years. The book's back matter includes a timeline of his life, a map with important places, who individuals whose lives impacted Ali's in some way, and some additional interesting facts, including the fact that he received a relationship Olympic gold medal in 1996 during which he lit the torch for the games. I appreciated the brief mention of his fondness for poetry too. Clearly, this man was a talented athlete, but so much more than just an athlete.

[Lorie]

First published in France, pocket bios seek to introduce historical people to the youngest of biography readers in a compact but mighty format. Short time lined text accompany illustrations from that period showing key scenes from the person’s life. This book covers Muhammad Ali from his introduction to boxing at age 12 in 1964 until his death in 2016.

Along with text about his life, there is also a visual time line, a map of key places in his life, people to know who were important to his story, and a did you know with more facts about his life.

I would recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library.
This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Michelle]

Series title: Pocket Bios

Audience: 1-5 grades
Curriculum Connections: biographies, social studies, time lines, research

Text Features: section headings, timeline, map with key, "People to Know" section, "Did you know" section, wide margins, attractive illustrations

This short and impactful series introduces readers to the background, actions and results of historical figures' lives. This is a great starting place for a research project.