Becoming Muhammad Ali, a novel James Patterson and Kwame Alexander
In the graphic novel New Kid, Craft shares the the story of seventh grader Jordan Banks as he enters a new posh, private school. His passion is drawing but his parents feel he will have more opportunities in this new school. Jordan is torn between this passion, his old neighborhood and public school life and his new prestigious surroundings. With humor and sensitivity, we watch as he manages his new experiences. He is a great kid!
In the other book, through the use of both poetry and prose, we watch the teenager Cassius Clay navigate his loving home life, his school life and the difficult segregated world around his home. Patterson and Alexander do a masterful job bringing to life Clay’s character and the development of his boxing passion. They alternate the storyline by offering narration by Clay’s best friend Lucky, with Cassius’s upbeat comments and bouncy rhymes to move the story along. His grandfather’s words are essential ones and are carried throughout the story and guide Cassius as he is growing up. They are powerful words:
“Know who you are, boys.
And whose you are.
Know where you going
and where you from.
Amen, Amen. Amen.”
These two books are books about individuality, self confidence, following one’s passion and about friendships. They will most certainly be appreciated. Teachers who read aloud Becoming Muhammad Ali will have all the ears of all the class. Classrooms that have the New Kid should order more copies. (Good news, there is a sequel, Class Act.)