The Undefeated

Kwame Alexander
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Ale)


This poem is an ode to African Americans who have encountered many defeats, but remain undefeated. Kadir Nelson’s remarkable art shows striking faces looking straight at the reader, some serious, some joyful, and some hopeful. An afterword and description of those depicted help provide context for children unfamiliar with some of the faces. 2020 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 6–12.

Coretta Scott King Award Winners

  • The Undefeated


  • An American Story


  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul


  • Freewater


  • Gone Crazy in Alabama


  • Freewater


  • March Book 3


  • Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre


  • Gone Crazy in Alabama


  • Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets


  • The Undefeated


  • Before the Ever After


  • Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King


  • Before the Ever After


  • Coretta Scott


  • Piecing Me Together


  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul


  • Trombone Shorty


  • New Kid


  • A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919


  • Brown Girl Dreaming


  • Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King


  • Standing in the Need of Prayer


  • Brown Girl Dreaming


  • Coretta Scott


  • Firebird


  • Nigeria Jones


  • Coretta Scott King


  • Coretta Scott King


  • The Stuff of Stars


  • Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre


  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat


  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat


  • A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919


  • Firebird


  • March Book 3


  • Nigeria Jones


  • The Stuff of Stars


  • New Kid


  • An American Story


  • Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets


  • Standing in the Need of Prayer


  • Piecing Me Together


  • Trombone Shorty