A powerful telling of the first African-American heavyweight champion, this story portrays how a shy, fearful young man learned to fight back and become one of history's more compelling personalities. Children will be awed and inspired by the boxer's energy and drive which is duly reflected through the rhythmic text and excellent narration.
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"Read this today for a Mock Caldecott session at Multnomah County Library and found it to be the most compelling choice. The illustrations with the motif of the mighty fighter's hands and the effective use of perspective, space and type help to amplify this fine homage to the great boxer." — Maureen (4 out of 5 stars)
"Read this today for a Mock Caldecott session at Multnomah County Library and found it to be the most compelling choice. The illustrations with the motif of the mighty fighter's hands and the effective use of perspective, space and type help to amplify this fine homage to the great boxer."
" Wonderful book tells the colorful story of Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champ in clever rhymes. This book will help mold the identity of young African American males, demonstrating both the struggles and the opportunities so prevalent in their lives. "
" The artwork is just amazing! "
" A handsomely illustrated, engaging introduction to the world's first black heavyweight champion. The illustrations and text effectively capture Jack Johnson's defiance, fearlessness, and flamboyance. "
" I've never heard of this guy, a Texan, the first black heavyweight boxing champion. Other reviews mention the poor rhyming - I didn't even notice it tried to rhyme. "
" A nice biography to introduce readers to boxer Jack Johnson. Lyrical text makes for easy reader and the illustrations are simple and clean. "
" I have mixed feelings on this one. Some strengths and some weaknesses. It's almost as if the book (esp. the text) can't make up it's mind in terms of how it wants to read (narrative, verse, etc.) as well as unsure of the real message. "
" beautiful picture book biography of Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight boxing champion. Catchy rhyming text and striking illustrations, and an age-appropriate depiction of racial inequalities of the time and why Jack became so popular. "
" A striking-looking book and an important, interesting subject, but the uneven rhyme/prose mix made it a difficult read. "
" I had issues with the flow of the text but loved the illustrations. Definite 3 1/2 stars. "
Charles R. Smith Jr. is an award-winning author, photographer, and poet with more than thirty books to his credit. His awards include a Coretta Scott King Award for his photographs accompanying the Langston Hughes poem “My People” and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his biography on Muhammad Ali, Twelve Rounds to Glory. He is the author of Rimshots, Hoop Kings, Hoop Queens, Tall Tales, Short Takes, Diamond Life, and I Am America.
Dion Graham is an award-winning narrator named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine. He has been a recipient of the prestigious Audie Award numerous times, as well as Earphones Awards, the Publishers Weekly Listen Up Awards, IBPA Ben Franklin Awards, and the ALA Odyssey Award. He was nominated in 2015 for a Voice Arts Award for Outstanding Narration. He is also a critically acclaimed actor who has performed on Broadway, off Broadway, internationally, in films, and in several hit television series. He is a graduate of Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, with an MFA degree in acting.
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