The Undefeated (2019)

by Kwame Alexander

Other authors: Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

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877	83	24,824	(4.67)	14
Juvenile Nonfiction. Multi-Cultural. Geography. HTML: Winner of the 2020 Caldecott Medal A 2020 Newbery Honor Book Winner of the 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award The Newbery Award-winning author of THE CROSSOVER pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree. 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. .… (more)

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From Kirkus: "An incredible connector text for young readers eager to graduate to weighty conversations about our yesterday, our now, and our tomorrow."

BackstoryBooks | Apr 3, 2024 |

A truly amazing children's book, this book follows the powerful and impactful Black Americans throughout our history in the United States. This book speaks to their strengths and how you can be like them in your own ways and I found the book to be a very interesting read. I would say that this book is perfect for kids the ages of 6-9 years old.

Cbonham21 | Mar 1, 2024 |

Very powerful book. Gorgeous pictures! Well deserved Caldecott. (

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mjphillips | Feb 23, 2024 |

I think that this book can be very empowering for African Americans and I think that it is something that could be used in a classroom for a number of purposes.

stewartj22 | Feb 6, 2024 |

This is a great book for older kids to read or be read aloud to, to leave room for questions about some of the things that are mentioned in the book relating to those who have passed. This is a great book for Black History month and to talk about on the Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance day. (

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elliemarte | Feb 5, 2024 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Alexander, Kwame	—	primary author	all editions	confirmed
Nelson, Kadir	Illustrator	secondary author	all editions	confirmed

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▾Awards and Honors

Awards

Bluestem Award (Nominee – 2021)

Caldecott Medal (Medal Winner – 2020)

Carter G. Woodson Book Award (Winner – Elementary Level – 2020)

Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (Nominee – 2022)

Coretta Scott King Award (Winner – Illustrator – 2020)

CSMCL Best Multicultural Book (2019)

A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (Poetry – 2019)

Kids' Book Choice Awards (Winner – 3rd to 4th Grade Book of the Year – 2020)

Kirkus Prize (Finalist – Young Readers' Literature – 2019)

Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry (Honor Book – 2020)

Monarch Award (Nominee – 2021)

National Book Award (Longlist – Young People's Literature – 2019)

NCTE Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels (Poetry – 2020)

Newbery Medal (Honor Book – 2020)

Nutmeg Book Award (Nominee – Elementary – 2022)

Distinctions

NPR: Books We Love (2019)

Notable Lists

The Best Children's Books of the Year (2020)

Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth (2019)

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children and Teens (2020)

CCBC Choices (2020)

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Informational Books for Younger Readers – 2019)

Children's Favorites Awards (Selection – Young Readers (Grades 3–4, Ages 8–10) – 2020)

El día de los niños / El día de los libros (3-5 – 2020)

Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids (Poetry – 2019)

Great Reads from Great Places (Virginia – 2020)

Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Book (Primary – 2020)

King County Library System Best Books (Children's Books – 2019)

Maine Regional Library System Cream of the Crop List (2020)

MDPLS Staff Picks: Books for Kids (2021)

NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People (K-2 – 2020)

Nerdy Book Award (Fiction Picture Books – 2019)

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Canonical title

Original title

Alternative titles

Original publication date

2019

People/Characters

Important places

Important events

Civil Rights Movement, USA

American Civil War

American Civil Rights movement

Black Lives Matter

Related movies

Epigraph

Dedication

To my great-great-grandfather, Sgt. March Corprew, 2nd USCT. - Kwame Alexander

For my grandmother, Verlee Gunter Moore. I love you. - Kadir Nelson

First words

This is for the unforgettable.

Quotations

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

Publisher's editors

Blurbers

Original language

English

Canonical DDC/MDS

Canonical LCC

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▾Book descriptions

Juvenile Nonfiction. Multi-Cultural. Geography. HTML:

Winner of the 2020 Caldecott Medal
A 2020 Newbery Honor Book
Winner of the 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
The Newbery Award-winning author of THE CROSSOVER pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree.
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.

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Book description

The Undefeated, 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.

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