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The Undefeated

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The Undefeated
By Kwame Alexander
Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Versify, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019. Poetry.

"This is for the unforgettable," Alexander opens his latest opus. This is an anthem to the courage, strength, and triumph of black Americans through history. This poem is short, straightforward, and incredibly sophisticated for a children's book. Alexander, a former Newbery award winner, combines his considerable talents with those of Kadir Nelson, a two time Caldecott honoree. The end result is a powerfully evocative book that celebrates black history while reminding us how far we still have left to go.

This is a powerful, powerful book that is perfectly paired with gorgeous illustrations against stark white pages. Two powerhouses of children's literature both functioning at their absolute best, don't be surprised when this book is on short lists for multiple ALA awards.

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