Book Review: The Champ: The Story of Muhammad Ali

By Dawn Friedman

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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that if you're not a fan of boxing, you may not love this book. Also, big issues like racism, the Vietnam War, and religious beliefs are touched on here, which may lead to some discussions. When talking about Ali's conversion to Islam, the book says, "Many people feared and despised the Nation of Islam because it preached that white people were devils."

Families can talk about why Ali was able to persevere. What character traits do they see in him that allowed him to overcome so many obstacles? Parents can also find books and DVDs to help kids understand what was going on in America when Ali came to fame.

Common Sense Media Review
Most kids today likely have no idea who Muhammad Ali is, but they deserve an introduction to this charismatic, champion athlete both for his own impressive history and a better understanding of the tumultuous times in which he became The Champ.

Using dazzling, sometimes rhyming prose printed in a funky font, the book pays tribute to Ali's own fancy footwork and clever taunts. At the same time it effectively shares Ali's humble beginnings and credits his commitment and impressive tenacity in helping him persevere.

Ali was more than an athlete and his story is an impressive one. Smart, charismatic and driven, he stood up for what he believed in (refusing the draft) in spite of being threatened with prison.

However your family looks back at those difficult times, his story is a good way to explore American history. Parents may want to give it a read-through before story time to prepare themselves for age-appropriate discussions about race, religion, or the Vietnam War.

Or perhaps kids will be more focused on the vibrant, choppy, colorful pictures that -- like the font and liberal quotes -- help convey the action as well as the difficulties of that time.