Tonya Bolden

Step into the ring and meet one of the most famous athletes the world has ever known. Long before he was a global icon, Muhammad Ali was just a skinny kid named Cassius Clay learning to box at his local gym. Through sheer determination, lightning fast moves, and a whole lot of confidence, he fought his way to the top. You will follow his incredible journey from those early training days to his legendary heavyweight championship matches, including the famous Rumble in the Jungle. Written in energetic free verse that echoes the rhythm of a boxing match, this biography brings a sports legend right off the page. It is a powerful look at how a young boy transformed himself into a champion, inspiring you to fight for your own dreams.

Junius G. Groves was born into slavery in Kentucky, but from a very young age, he had massive dreams. Once he was a free man, he joined thousands of other African Americans traveling out West to find a better life. When he arrived in Kansas, he started working on a tiny potato farm for very little money. He did not let the hard work get him down. Instead, he learned everything he could about farming and eventually rented his own plot of land. By working tirelessly from dawn until dusk, Junius grew a massive empire. Soon, he was harvesting literally millions of potatoes, buying hundreds of acres of land, and even building a beautiful mansion for his growing family. This fantastic true story shows you what incredible things can happen when you mix big dreams with hard work. You will see how Junius proved his doubters wrong and grew a mighty kingdom straight from the dirt.