Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Peach’s Picks Rating:
Year of publication: 2011
City of publication: New York
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3167-7
Author website: http://www.mattdelapena.com/
Illustrator website: http://www.kadirnelson.com/
Media used for illustrations: Painted with oils on wood
Annotation: Picturebook biography of American boxer, Joe Louis, highlighting his two matches with the German boxer, Max Schmeling.
Personal reaction to the book: This brief biography is another stunningly, beautifully illustrated picturebook by Kadir Neslon. De la Peña and Nelson have created a moving account of Joe Louis’ life centering on the significance of his two matches with the German boxer, Max Schmeling. The story begins at Yankee Stadium with the fight between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling on June 22, 1938. The stage is set, the drama has begun. Before the reader learns the outcome of the fight, the story goes back in time to Louis’ childhood. From there the story proceeds through Louis’ successful career, looping its way back to the first fight with Schmeling. This is the time of Jim Crow laws when segregation was mandated. It is also the beginning of Nazi Germany. To Americans, of every color, Schmeling represents the fear of war and Nazis. Louis loses to Schmeling but he “vowed to battle back. He worked even harder as the world threatened war around him” (page 26). Louis and Schmeling meet again. This time Louis is victorious. Both black and white Americans feel united in the victory against Schmeling who represents the evils of Nazi Germany. The text is written as a free verse narrative. While it is dramatic, it does not flow smoothly throughout the book when read aloud; sometimes the rhythm stumbles and catches the reader off balance. Even with that criticism, the text is so powerful that it holds the audience’s attention. I suggest that back matter be included referencing Jim Crow laws, biographical information about Max Schmeling, and placing the event in its historical context. The title page is a stunning illustration of red boxing ring ropes that look as though they are dripping with blood. The illustrations are created with oil paints on wood in a photo-realistic style. Louis looks out at the reader and commands the pages. Pages 3-4 are cleverly designed to look like a poster advertising the first Louis vs. Schmeling fight. Page 33 shows an interesting perspective from the top view of Louis’ victory over Schmeling. Another clever design element is found on the back jacket flap that is designed to look like a ticket to a boxing match featuring Matt De La Peña and Kadir Nelson.
General curricular connections:
- History / Nazi and American relationship
- Civil Rights – Jim Crow laws
- Joe Louis
- Biographies
- African-American history
Recommended grade levels:
School Library Journal recommends this book for use with grades 3-5
Booklist recommends this book for use with grades 1-3
Peach’s Picks recommends this book for use with grades 3-7
Awards/Recognitions:
Booklist starred review
Publishers Weekly starred review
School Library Journal starred review
Note: This book applies to the assignment criteria - books published in 2010-2011
Repetition: Boxing ring ropes found on the title page and pages 4, 5-6, 9-10, 15-16, 19, 20, 23, 26-27, 30-31, 34
Metaphor: Page 5; “The weight of history hangs on Joe’s shoulders as he ducks through ropes…”
Metaphor: Page 15: “The space between ropes became home…”
Symbolism: Page 26; African-American and white men reading the news paper together, symbolizing that all Americans were united in their worries concerning Germany, Nazis, and a potential World War
Book cover picture retrieved from http://www.mattdelapena.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12&Itemid=12
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