Marc Bernadin (Adora and the Distance) reimagines scenes from the life of a giant in the nuanced, inspirational graphic novel Messenger: The Legend of Muhammad Ali, illustrated by Ron Salas (Northguard).
This work of young adult nonfiction aims to capture the epic essence of the boxer rather than a complete, true-to-life picture. Bernadin focuses primarily on iconic moments like Ali's 1960 Olympic victory, his first meeting with Malcolm X, and his role in the 1990 release of American hostages from Iraq. Each chapter illustrates the words of Ali's first boxing coach, "What makes a fighter great is what they do after they get hit." Salas's sensitively rendered grayscale art vividly conveys every flicker of his subjects' emotions.
Bernadin captures the feel of a mythic hero without glossing over Ali's complexities. This story should captivate sports fans and anyone looking for an inspiring story of a fighter who "shook up the world." --Jaclyn Fulwood, youth experience manager, Dayton Metro Library