About the book
The breakthrough modern sports novel The Contender shows readers the true meaning of being a hero.
This acclaimed novel by celebrated sportswriter Robert Lipsyte, the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in YA fiction, is the story of a young boxer in Harlem who overcomes hardships and finds hope in the ring on his path to becoming a contender.
Alfred Brooks is scared. He’s a high-school dropout, and his grocery store job is leading nowhere. His best friend is sinking further and further into drug addiction. Some street kids are after him for something he didn’t even do.
So Alfred begins going to Donatelli’s Gym, a boxing club in Harlem that has trained champions. There he learns it’s the effort, not the win, that makes the boxer—that before you can be a champion, you have to be a contender.
ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults * ALA Notable Children’s Book * New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
- Coming of Age Story: Follow Alfred Brooks, a high-school dropout with a dead-end job, as he searches for a path away from the streets and discovers what he’s truly made of.
- Overcoming Hardship: With his best friend lost to addiction and a local gang after him, Alfred must learn to use his fear as fuel and fight for a future he can believe in.
- A Story of Friendship: Explores the powerful and heartbreaking bond between Alfred and his best friend James, as one chooses the discipline of the ring and the other the dangers of the street.
- Classic Young Adult Fiction: A recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award, this timeless and acclaimed novel has inspired generations of readers to become contenders in their own lives.
Editions of Contender
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780064470391
- EBook
- ISBN 9780061995873
Read an Excerpt
The breakthrough modern sports novel The Contender shows readers the true meaning of being a hero.
This acclaimed novel by celebrated sportswriter Robert Lipsyte, the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in YA fiction, is the story of a young boxer in Harlem who overcomes hardships and finds hope in the ring on his path to becoming a contender.
Alfred Brooks is scared. He’s a high-school dropout, and his grocery store job is leading nowhere. His best friend is sinking further and further into drug addiction. Some street kids are after him for something he didn’t even do.
So Alfred begins going to Donatelli’s Gym, a boxing club in Harlem that has trained champions. There he learns it’s the effort, not the win, that makes the boxer—that before you can be a champion, you have to be a contender.
ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults * ALA Notable Children’s Book * New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
- Coming of Age Story: Follow Alfred Brooks, a high-school dropout with a dead-end job, as he searches for a path away from the streets and discovers what he’s truly made of.
- Overcoming Hardship: With his best friend lost to addiction and a local gang after him, Alfred must learn to use his fear as fuel and fight for a future he can believe in.
- A Story of Friendship: Explores the powerful and heartbreaking bond between Alfred and his best friend James, as one chooses the discipline of the ring and the other the dangers of the street.
- Classic Young Adult Fiction: A recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award, this timeless and acclaimed novel has inspired generations of readers to become contenders in their own lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Contender about?
The breakthrough modern sports novel The Contender shows readers the true meaning of being a hero.
This acclaimed novel by celebrated sportswriter Robert Lipsyte, the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in YA fiction, is the story of a young boxer in Harlem who overcomes hardships and finds hope in the ring on his path to becoming a contender.
Alfred Brooks is scared. He’s a high-school dropout, and his grocery store job is leading nowhere. His best friend is sinking further and further into drug addiction. Some street kids are after him for something he didn’t even do.
So Alfred begins going to Donatelli’s Gym, a boxing club in Harlem that has trained champions. There he learns it’s the effort, not the win, that makes the boxer—that before you can be a champion, you have to be a contender.
ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults * ALA Notable Children’s Book * New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
- Coming of Age Story: Follow Alfred Brooks, a high-school dropout with a dead-end job, as he searches for a path away from the streets and discovers what he’s truly made of.
- Overcoming Hardship: With his best friend lost to addiction and a local gang after him, Alfred must learn to use his fear as fuel and fight for a future he can believe in.
- A Story of Friendship: Explores the powerful and heartbreaking bond between Alfred and his best friend James, as one chooses the discipline of the ring and the other the dangers of the street.
- Classic Young Adult Fiction: A recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award, this timeless and acclaimed novel has inspired generations of readers to become contenders in their own lives.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Contender?
Children’s, Teenage and Educational > Children’s / Teenage fiction and true stories > Children’s / Teenage fiction: Classic fiction
Where can I read a sample of Contender?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780064470391
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Contender?
Robert Lipsyte
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Contender is available as paperback(ISBN 9780064470391) and ebook(ISBN 9780061995873)
Where can I buy Contender online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Contender from below
Where can I buy Contender?