A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alexander, K. (2020). The undefeated (K. Nelson Illus.). Andersen Press.
B. PLOT SUMMARY
The Undefeated was a poem/rallying cry for generations of black Americans who have fought in some way to make this country what it is today. The text highlights some influential figures - both through directly naming them, as well as through brief mentions and allusions - in addition to acknowledging all those whose time was cut short due to slavery, racism, or unequal treatment.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The artwork throughout this book was something that made the reader stop and examine each page. The heroes depicted, each with their own unique characteristics, really shine a light on how different all of these people were. Physically, the people illustrated by Kadir Nelson had different skin tones, different hair colors, different shapes and sizes, but all of them in their own way paved the way for a brighter future for all Americans. The pages that listed or highlighted several different people were the ones that really slowed down my reading, and made me stop and pay attention to every brush stroke. Inside the lines, there were subtle references to some well-known black Americans that were not directly named in the book, including Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks. Even the pages without any artwork left an impression, and made me realize just how significant even the lack of illustrations can be in a text. There were images that made my heart feel heavy, particularly the shattered glass of the pictures of Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley, the four girls who were killed during the Birmingham church bombing.
The one image that stood out the most, and the one I will likely remember long after I close this book, was the image of all of the slaves lined up head to toe, depicting what life was like on those slave ships that began the oppression and racism that still exists in this country today. But I think that both Alexander and Nelson wrote this book as a source of empowerment and encouragement - to feature those who have not only survived their hardships, but have gone on to be some of the most influential people in human history. The images of the candles, flowers, and framed pictures of young people highlights that the fight for equality is far from over, especially concerning the police violence that has plagued this country for too long. The closing lines of the poem read, "This is for the undefeated. This is for you. And you. And you." I believe both of the men responsible for this book want a young reader to pick this book up and understand that things may be difficult, but nothing that has taken place throughout this country's tumultuous history has stopped our people yet.
D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
"[A] powerful tribute to the African-American experience, replete with joy and pride in the accomplishments of individual artists and athletes, leaders, and thinkers.... Poetry knows when to lean forward and when to pull back, and in 'The Undefeated,' Alexander has walked that line perfectly. This book will fill readers with a sense of the wealth and the cost of history."
—New York Times Book Review
"[T]his magnificent anthem to the courage and genius of black Americans has been turned into a picture book with stunning portraits by Nelson....communicating clearly that when black lives matter, America is stronger."
—Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
"Alexander's poetry possesses a straightforward, sophisticated, steady rhythm that, paired with Nelson's detail-oriented oil paintings, carries readers through generations...An incredible connector text for young readers eager to graduate to weighty conversations about our yesterday, our now, and our tomorrow."
—Kirkus, STARRED review
E. CONNECTIONS
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