Muhammad Ali: The Greatest

Scholastic Rookie Biographies

by Joanne Mattern

Meet Muhammad Ali, the people's champion! Fact-filled Rookie Read-About Biographies introduce the youngest readers to influential women and men, both past and present. Colorful photos and age appropriate text encourage children to read on their own-as they learn about people like Serena Williams, Neil Armstrong, Rosa Parks, Anne Frank and many more. Ali was more than the heavyweight champion of the world, more than "the greatest of all time." Ali was the people's champion-an athlete who completely transcended his sport. This book offers a look back at Ali's fascinating life-in and out of the ring.

32 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2017

About the author

Mattern is the author of many books for children. Her favorite topics include animals, biography, and history. She lives in the Hudson Valley of New York State.

Reviews

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muhammad Ali's birth name was Cassius Clay. He changed it when he joined the Nation of Islam. Muhammad helped in the Civil rights Movement. He started training at age 12. At 17, he won the Golden Gloves. The next year (1960), he won every fight and earned a gold medal at the Olympics. In 1964, he became the heavyweight champion of the world. Because Muhammad refused to fight in the Vietnam War, he wasn't allowed to box until 1970. In 1974, He became the heavyweight champion of the world again. He is the only man to be named heavyweight champion three times. Muhammad made up rhymes like "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. the hands can't hit what the eyes can't see." Ali finally retired in 1981 at age 39. Three years later, he announced that he had Parkinson's disease. He continued to help others around the world. He died in June 2016 at age 74.
Moral: Stand up for what you believe in. Do not let other people talk you out of your beliefs. Be your best at whatever you choose to do. Work hard to achieve success.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

32 pages. Great biography for kids. Very good pictures match the information presented on each page. Great glossary at the end. Good basic information on the boxing legend. Highly recommended for Grades 2-5.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers A LOT of ground in a very engaging, clear, insightful way. Perfect for all ages, truly.

[Emma Horn]

This book outlined Muhammad’s life with many pictures and captions to enhance the text. Words that kids may not be familiar with were bolded and defined in the glossary at the end of the text.

Presentation
Word choice

LEXILE: 610L
ATOS: 3.5