The Undefeated (picture book)

The Undefeated
AuthorKwame Alexander
IllustratorKadir Nelson
LanguageEnglish
PublisherVersify/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date
April 2, 2019
Publication placeUnited States
Pages40
AwardsCaldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Award, Newbery Honor
ISBN978-1-328-78096-6

The Undefeated is a 2019 poem by Kwame Alexander and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. The poem's purpose is to inspire and encourage black communities, while also delivering a tribute to black Americans of all occupations in past years. The poem describes the toughness black Americans faced during times such as slavery, and segregation in America. Nelson's illustrations also provide a visual for the meaning of the poem. The book was well received and won the 2020 Caldecott Medal and a Newbery Honor.[1] Kadir Nelson's artwork also earned it a Coretta Scott King Award.[2]

  1. ^ León, Concepción de (January 27, 2020). "Graphic Novel Wins Newbery Medal for the First Time". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  2. ^ "2020 Youth Media Award Winners". ALA Magazine. January 27, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2020.