Undefeated

The Undefeated
by Kwame Alexander; illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Two of America’s finest artists, Kwame and Kadir, showcase with power and breathtaking beauty that Black Lives Matter. Through poetry and illustrations, Black lives from past to present are richly documented –and celebrated. In fewer than 250 words, The Undefeated captures the heart of a fighting spirit and unwavering hopefulness. This Caldecott winner is ripe for researching Black figures and sparking courageous conversations to facilitate equity.

Listen to the story

Do a craft!

Take-and-Make Portrait kits can be picked up curbside starting on February 16th.
Call or email the library at 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com to schedule a pickup.
Instructions for Portraits & Self-Portraits craft here.

Big Ideas & enduring Understanding

The history of Black people in the United States is complex, triumphant, traumatic, and often forgotten.
Never give up and keep rising (echoed by both Maya Angelou and Kwame Alexander).
Celebrate all Black lives.

Dig a little Deeper

Beyond the Book: Ideas, Questions, Projects and Connections:

Compare this illustrated version of Kwame Alexander’s work to the version that helped launch the ESPN site The Undefeated and was originally titled “This One is For Us”: https://theundefeated.com/videos/this-one-is-for-us/
The text is written as a poem. Practice reading the words out loud. Try reading it aloud outdoors with a bold voice. What do you feel as you read?

Talk about the literary references in the poem - The Undefeated contains quotes from Gwendolyn Brooks, Langston Hughes, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X.
Who inspires you? What does leadership look and sound like?
Complete a biography project on one of the historical figures of your choosing named in the book. Vermont Online Library is a great resources: https://vtonlinelib.org/?loc=vol_m35
Mark off 100, 200, and 400 meters so that students can run the same events that Wilma Rudolph and Jesse Owens ran in the Olympics.

Who are “the Undefeated”? Why did the author decide to give that name to his book?
Why is it important to talk together about painful pieces of our country’s past and present?
The phrase “Black Lives Matter” is in these pages -have you heard this before? What does it mean?
How many times can you find a word that begins with the prefix “un”-like unforgettable? How does this compare to the folk song “We Shall Not be Moved?”
What does the author mean when he says,“this is for...the ones who survived America by any means necessary?”
Did you notice the tears in the children’s eyes in the final illustration? How do the seven faces match up with the text “This is for us.” What do you think each child might be thinking or feeling in the picture?

For more information on Kwame Alexander, visit his official website: https://kwamealexander.com

For more information on Kadir Nelson, including pictures of his recent covers for The New Yorker and Rolling Stone, visit his website: https://www.kadirnelson.com