Two literary heavy-hitters deliver a knockout critically acclaimed, bestselling biographical novel of cultural icon Muhammad Ali. ★ "Utterly delightful...a smash hit."―School Library Journal (starred review) ★ "A knockout!"―Booklist (starred review) ★ "Stellar"―Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ★ "Two heavyweights in the world of books unite."―The Horn Book (starred review) ★ "Powerful."―Publishers Weekly (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. Winner of the 2021-2022 Sunshine State Young Readers Award (Grades 6-8) and 2022 Magnolia Book Award, and nominated for six state awards!

文学界の巨星ジェームズ・パターソンとクワミ・アレクサンダーが共鳴し、伝説のボクサー、モハメド・アリの魂の胎動を見事に描き出した傑作です。散文と詩を織り交ぜた独創的な形式は、リング上を舞うアリの軽やかさと鋭いパンチのようなリズムを想起させ、読者を一気に物語の核心へと引き込みます。 本作の真髄は、英雄の華々しい戦歴ではなく、差別や葛藤を抱えた一人の少年が、自らのアイデンティティを確立していく精神的プロセスにあります。盗まれた自転車という些細な事件をきっかけに、内なる闘志が言葉と拳に宿っていく過程は、誰もが胸に秘める情熱を呼び覚ますはずです。一字一句から溢れ出す圧倒的な生命力を、ぜひ全身で浴びてください。