Gr 4-8 A first-rate biography of an American legend. In the author's note, Denenberg states that the story of Muhammad Ali has, over time, been "transformed into something easily digestible and unthreatening," but promises to "reveal the true story of Muhammad Ali" through this thorough recount of Ali's life. Starting when Ali (then Cassius Clay) was 12, the book relates his commitment to the sport, describing how after school was over, the boy worked until 6 pm, then trained until midnight. Denenberg also talks about Ali's endless badgering of his opponents, for example, showing up at opponent Sonny Liston's house in the middle of the night, "daring him to&30;have a go right then and there." Interspersed throughout is information about the turmoil of the time period, such as African Americans' fight for desegregation and equality. There's also material on the Vietnam War and how Ali reacted by joining the Nation of Islam, changing his name from Cassius Clay; his refusal to enter the army; and his association with civil rights leader Malcolm X. Most of the engaging narrative is done in the format of newspaper articles, man on the street interviews, and breaking news transmissions, all created by the author. Denenberg does an excellent job of capturing the era, and this book will serve as a gateway to discussions and lessons about this time in American history. Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

The life of Muhammad Ali has been told many times, but Denenberg uses a type of creative nonfiction to tell the story in this attractive offering. The preface explains that the book is designed to "provide a sense of immediacy." To that end, he has written "various fictional publications" and created interviews with fictional interviewees. Even with this disclaimer, the distinction is not always clear. For instance, Ali's high-school principal gets such a complete bio (high school, colleges, "he helped desegregate the Louisville Free Public Library") that he seems like a real person. It's clear that Denenberg has done his research. He cover the bases, presenting Ali as the complex figure he was ash, controversial, and incredibly talented in the ring. The graphically strong layout is interspersed with two-page spreads discussing contemporary history: assassinations, Kent State, and, most important, the Vietnam War, in which Ali famously refused to fight. The book ends in 1996, with Ali lighting the Olympic torch. There are no notes, but time lines and an extensive bibliography will aid students who want to know more.