Me and Muhammad Ali — Jabari Asim

A little boy's joyous encounter with his hero, boxing champion and poet Muhammad Ali, is everything he's dreamed of -- and more!

Like most of the kids he knows, Langston is a huge fan of boxing champ Muhammad Ali. After all, Ali is the greatest for so many reasons -- his speed, his strength, his confidence -- and his poetry. Langston loves that Ali can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, and Ali's words give him confidence to spin his own poems. When Langston hears the champ is coming to the local high school, he's ecstatic -- this will be a day that will go down in history for him. When the big day arrives, Langston gets a special haircut, and floats like a butterfly to meet his hero -- so imagine his disappointment when a guard tries to stop him at the door, saying the event is just for students. Fortunately, Langston has learned a thing or two about fearlessness from the champ and is quick about not taking “no” for an answer. And just like that, a dream comes true for Langston that leaves him feeling wrapped in a warm glow and chanting I'm quick and I'm strong. I'm Black and I'm free. I'm brave and I'm bold, like Muhammad Ali!