The Undefeated: A Powerful Poem Celebrating Strength and Black Excellence for Children (Ages 4–8) (Caldecott Medal Book)
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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Community Reviews
It was a pleasure to read this alongside a young lady born in Ghana, but raised here in Ohio. She lit up as she picked the book up. "Did you know Kwame is a Ghanian name? Was he born in Ghana?" I watched her face as she flipped and studied each page. Her eyes shined with delight to see her face reflected in the first pages. I saw her chin jut out as she read the words, " This is for the unafraid. The audacious ones
who carried the red, white, and Weary blues
on the battlefield
to save an imperfect Union.
I watched her brows knit as she paused over the first "This is for the unspeakable" page crowded with slaves in chains. And linger over the double spread of Trayvon's shrine. I watched her beautiful "black as the night is beautiful" face light up as she read words celebrating her unbending will to succeed. Finally, I watched her smile wide as she read, "This is for the undefeated.
This is for you.
And you.
And you.
This is for us."
What a gift for her, for me, for all of us. Thank you, Kwame.
who carried the red, white, and Weary blues
on the battlefield
to save an imperfect Union.
I watched her brows knit as she paused over the first "This is for the unspeakable" page crowded with slaves in chains. And linger over the double spread of Trayvon's shrine. I watched her beautiful "black as the night is beautiful" face light up as she read words celebrating her unbending will to succeed. Finally, I watched her smile wide as she read, "This is for the undefeated.
This is for you.
And you.
And you.
This is for us."
What a gift for her, for me, for all of us. Thank you, Kwame.
