Kids Reading Across Rhode Island, Rhode Island’s One Book, One State community read program for kids, is kicking off its 12th year! This program, offered by the Rhode Island Center for the Book in partnership with Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services, encourages students across the state in grades 4 through 6 to read the same book, and engage in community discussions and programs. The 2021 selection is Becoming Muhammad Ali by authors James Patterson and Kwame Alexander.
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Request 2021 Book Sets
Sets of the 2021 KRARI selection Becoming Muhammad Ali are available to schools and public libraries planning to lead a KRARI book discussion this spring and summer. Please use the appropriate form below to request a book set. Requests must be made using the form by March 31, 2021. Book sets will be delivered mid-April.
Becoming Muhammad Ali
Before he was a household name, Cassius Clay was a kid with struggles like any other. Kwame Alexander and James Patterson join forces to vividly depict his life up to age seventeen in both prose and verse, including his childhood friends, struggles in school, the racism he faced, and his discovery of boxing. Readers will learn about Cassius’ family and neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky, and how, after a thief stole his bike, Cassius began training as an amateur boxer at age twelve. Before long, he won his first Golden Gloves bout and began his transformation into the unrivaled Muhammad Ali.
James Patterson
James Patterson is the world’s bestselling author. The creator of Max Einstein and Middle School, he founded JIMMY Patterson to publish books that young readers will love. He lives in Florida with his family.
Kwame Alexander
Kwame Alexander is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books, including his Newbery Medal-winning novel The Crossover and The Undefeated, winner of the Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor. He is the founding editor of Versify, which aims to change the world one word at a time..
MAJOR SUPPORT FOR KIDS READING ACROSS RHODE ISLAND 2021
- Institute of Museum and Library Services
- Office of Library & Information Services
- Rhode Island Center for the Book
- Rhode Island Library Association
- School Librarians of Rhode Island
PAST KRARI BOOK SELECTIONS
2020: Changeling by William Ritter
2019: Sanity and Tallulah by Molly Brooks
2018: The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
2017: Save me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan
2016: Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
2015: Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
2014: Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
2013: Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
2011: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
2010: Regarding the Fountain by Kate Klise