Lipsyte, Robert. (1987). The Contender. New York: HarperCollins Children's Books, 240pp.

Grade Range: 6-12

Genre: contemporary fiction

Summary and Critique

The Contender is the story of Alfred Brooks, a 17-year-old African-American high school dropout who is torn between the street life of his Harlem neighborhood and his dreams of becoming a champion fighter. Lipsyte's experience as a sports journalist is evident by his gritty depiction of the arduous and difficult training and discipline required of a boxer; this detail lends authenticity to his story and brings the reader into the ring. Alfred struggles to improve himself, even as he doubts himself and his ability. Boxing is a way to prove to himself he has the heart of a contender, even as he is swayed by his ties to a former life. His childhood friend James is involved with a gang and battling a drug addiction and Alfred is caught between two worlds.

This novel's strong protagonist and engaging story make it suitable for grades 8-12, although some teachers may even use it with younger students.

Awards

2001 Margaret Edwards Award

Themes/Topics

Friends and Enemies

Race, Ethnicity, and Culture

Challenges and Triumphs

The Individual vs. Society

Sports

Author Information

Born January 16, 1938 in New York City to parents who were both teachers, Robert Lipsyte grew up in an environment full of books and a

love for learning. An overweight teenager until the age of fourteen, Lipsyte spent his spare time reading and writing, deciding early to become a writer. In addition to writing novels, Lipsyte has also been a sports writer.

For more information on Robert Lipsyte:

http://www.carr.org/mae/lipsyte/lipsyte.htm A short biography.

http://www.soemadison.wisc.edu/ccbc/lipsyte.htm Biographical information and a bibliogrpahy.

Media Connections

Movies

Do the Right Thing (1989) Spike Lee examines race relations, prejudice, and stereotypes in a Brooklyn neighborhood, all of which contribute to an unnecessary explosion of violence.

Hoop Dreams (1994) A documentary about two inner-city African-American teenagers who are extremely talented on the basketball court and desire to play for the NBA.

Rumble in the Jungle (1974) Documentary about Muhammad Ali's 1974 boxing match with George Foreman.

Rocky (1976) A boxer with very few wins works hard to become a prize fighter.

Iron Will (1994) An adolescent boy decides to train for an enter a dogsled race.

My Left Foot (1989) A man stricken with cerebral palsy overcomes overwhelming odds when he teaches himself to write and paint using his left foot.

Online Resources

http://www.ala.org/yalsa/edwards/lipsyte.html This short press release for the 2001 Margaret A. Edwards Award Winner includes a brief bio on Lipsyte, as well as quotes from the author and selection committee.

http://microbiol.org/vb.martial.arts/boxing.htm Exhaustive resource guide for anything boxing-related, from YAL, nonfiction, how-to, training guides, etc.

http://www.nida.nih.gov/ National Institute on Drug Abuse. Provides extensive information on drug abuse.

http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=813 Basic information on Harlem, NY.

Related Texts

Childress, Alice. (1973). A Hero Ain't Nothin'But a Sandwhich. New York: Coward, McCann, & Geoghegan. 126pp. A thirteen-year old heroin addict resorts to crime to feed his habit.

Cisneros, Sandra. (1983). House on Mango Street. Houston: Arte Publico Press. 103pp. Esperanza describes her life in a poor Latino neighborhood in Chicago.

Knudson, R. and Swenson, May. (1995). American Sports Poems. New York: Orchard. 226pp. 158 poems about various sports.

Myers, Walter Dean. (1996). Slam. New York: Scholastic. 206 pp. A Coretta Scott King Award Winner, 1997 Best Book for Young Adults. A high school basketball star struggles with an ego, a friend on drugs, family, and academic issues.

Lipsyte, Robert. (1991). The Brave. New York: Harper Collins. 195pp. A 1992 ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Alfred becomes a police officer, and he encounters a young Native American man who has made some bad decisions.

Teaching Ideas

(1) "Placing Bids on Values" Students will make personal connections with Alfred Brooks and his experiences throughout The Contender and understand how the character's motivation determines the decisions that he makes throughout the novel. As a class, students discuss and create a list of values, morals, and goals common to teenagers. Students are asked to examine the list for a "Value Auction" to be held during the class period. Each student has $1000 to bid on the items on the list they consider to be most important. If they do not bid on an item, they forfeit the opportunity to experience those values during their lifetime. After the auction, students are asked to free-write in journals about how they feel their lives would be with or without the values just auctioned off. Students share journal entries, and discuss how values shape our lives. This provides insight into Alfred's life and the moral/personal dilemmas he faces.

In an additional activity, students pair off and together decide how

Alfred Brooks would bid with his $1000 on the list of values, or what changes he might make to the list. Students are encouraged to support their statements with examples from the text. Partners share their responses in small groups. Students are asked to compare their perceptions of Alfred's values to their own in response writing.

[Summarized/adapted from "Value Auction" by Beverly Lewis in Ideas Plus Book 11. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English. p. 27.]

(2) "Timelessness vs. Timeliness" In a discussion of timelessness v. timeliness, the class makes a list of aspects of the novel that fit into each category. Students are asked to consider how Lipsyte characterizes his protagonist. What aspects of his character would change with the times? How? What aspects of his character are timeless? Why? Partners brainstorm and create a t-chart that cites examples from the text to share with the class. In an additional activity, students are asked to update the timely aspects of The Contender and the character of Alfred Brooks by preparing a skit modernizing a scene from the novel, with attention to details such as dress, slang, possible movies or music encountered by Alfred, etc. Students write a short script and perform for the class.

(Review written by Emily Smith and edited by Jennifer E. Moore)