Parents' Guide to

The Undefeated

By Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Poetic tribute to African American heroes and struggles.

Book Kwame Alexander Picture Book 2019
The Undefeated Poster Image

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What's the Story?

THE UNDEFEATED is a tribute to African Americans throughout American history, from the time of being captured and brought to America in ships' holds like cargo, though slavery, the civil rights movement, and recent police shootings, and highlights achievements in sports, literature, music, politics, and other fields. A poem that forms the text celebrates those who survived as well as those who didn't, an acknowledgement of the painful history that should not be forgotten.

Is It Any Good?

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Kids say (1):

This inspiring celebration of African American heroes and regular folk uses spare poetry and bold art to remind or teach kids about black achievement and struggle. The message of The Undefeated is in its structure, as each stanza begins with "This is for ... " This structure lets the poet acknowledge the folks who came before, who struggled to survive and make their mark on America. "This is for the unlimited,/ unstoppable ones./ The dreamers and doers ..." It's very effective and beautifully amplified by Kadir Nelson's amazing art. Sometimes it features a single figure or face against a stark white page or two-page spread. Other times there's a collage-like jumble of many heroes of a certain genre, like music or sports.

There's so much to pore over in the words, images, and explanatory back matter that young readers will be engaged for much longer than it takes to read the poem. And it may prompt them to seek more information about these heroes and historical events. The Undefeated also makes a great read-aloud and offers an opportunity for parents and caregivers to share their own memories of these heroes and events with kid readers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the heroes pictured in The Undefeated. Which ones did you recognize? What makes them heroes?

  • Why do you think the author wanted to honor people who didn't survive their circumstances along with people who survived their hardship and went on to achieve great things?

  • How do you like the txt of the book being a poem? How is poetry different from other kinds of writing? Try writing a poem about something you care about.

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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