The Undefeated [hc]
Written by Kwame Alexander & illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. Robust back matter at the end provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more. 40 pages
"From the unspeakable trauma of American slavery and the transatlantic slave trade to the brave service of black troops during the Civil War, from the fierce and unwavering fight for civil rights to the Black Lives Matter movement, from Selma to Birmingham to Harlem, this book is both a soaring tribute to the enduring perseverance and achievements of the past and a stirring call to action to "the dreamers and the doers" of the present and the future." -School Library Journal, Starred Review (Grade 3+)
April 2, 2019
AR Level=2.6
2020 Randolph Caldecott Medal
2020 John Newbery Honor
2020 Coretta Scott King Book Award for Illustrator
2019 Young People's Literature for the National Book Award (Longlist)
2019 Kirkus Prize Young Readers' Finalist
