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<book id="50053">
  <title><![CDATA[The Contender]]></title>
  <isbn><![CDATA[0064471527]]></isbn>
  <isbn13><![CDATA[9780064471527]]></isbn13>
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  <default_description>Alfred's life is going nowhere fast. He's a high-school dropout working at a grocery store. His best friend is drifting behind a haze of drugs and violence, and now some street punks are harassing him for something he didn't do. Feeling powerless and afraid, Alfred gathers up the courage to visit Donatelli's Gym, the neighborhood's boxing club. He wants to be a champion--on the streets and in his own life. Alfred doesn't quite understand when Mr. Donatelli tells him, &quot;It's the climbing that makes the man. Getting to the top is an extra reward.&quot; In the end, he learns that a winner isn't necessarily the one standing when the fight is over. Teens and adults alike will be knocked out by this powerful story of how a frightened boy becomes a man.</default_description>
  <id type="integer">956300</id>
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  <original_publication_year type="integer">1979</original_publication_year>
  <original_title>The Contender</original_title>
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  <ratings_count type="integer">364</ratings_count>
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  <text_reviews_count type="integer">82</text_reviews_count>
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  <average_rating><![CDATA[3.38]]></average_rating>
  <ratings_count><![CDATA[312]]></ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count><![CDATA[72]]></text_reviews_count>
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender]]></url>
  <authors>
        <author id="28184">
      <name><![CDATA[Robert Lipsyte]]></name>
      <role><![CDATA[]]></role>
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      <average_rating><![CDATA[3.45]]></average_rating>
      <ratings_count><![CDATA[662]]></ratings_count>
      <text_reviews_count><![CDATA[160]]></text_reviews_count>
    </author>
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    <review id="36954665">
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    <name><![CDATA[Jeremy]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Lake Mary, FL]]></location>        
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  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
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    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Nov 05 07:53:50 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Nov 06 21:35:57 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This is an amazing book; I was intrigued from the very beginning of this novel. I would recommend this book to anybody that loves fighting and underdog stories. I think the authors intention to writing this book was to encourage young men that are living in the hood that and to let them know they do...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/36954665">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/36954665]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="47127579">
    <user id="1968298">
    <name><![CDATA[Amy]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Columbus, OH]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1968298-amy-b]]></url>
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  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
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    <rating>5</rating>
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  <read_at>Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Feb 22 05:20:47 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Mar 02 15:32:50 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[The Contender is a Best Book (sports). The Contender is a story of 17 year old Alfred who has had a rough time so far.  His father deserted he and his mother when he was 10 years old.  His mother died when he was 13. He now lives in Harlem with is aunt her 3 daughters. How does <br/>Alfred survive ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/47127579">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/47127579]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="72957229">
    <user id="369290">
    <name><![CDATA[The other John]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Seattle, WA]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/369290-the-other-john]]></url>
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  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
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    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sat Sep 26 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Sep 29 20:21:21 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Sep 29 20:23:12 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count>1</read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[In one sense, this is a typical sports story--young, underprivileged kid finds a sport and works hard to overcome the obstacles and become a success. In this case, Alfred Brooks, a high school dropout living in Harlem in the mid 1960s finds himself trying to succeed as a boxer. But Mr. Lipsyte has d...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72957229">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72957229]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="42830791">
    <user id="265580">
    <name><![CDATA[Vicki]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Oak Park, IL]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/265580-vicki]]></url>
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  <ratings_count type="integer">312</ratings_count>
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  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
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  <read_at>Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 1994</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Jan 12 15:43:57 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Jan 12 15:49:07 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I read this in high school, and then again for a young adult lit class.  There's something about watching this character evolve into something better that's really satisfying.  The dangers he faces seem less horrifying than what kids face today, but then again, maybe not.  The scariness is just inte...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42830791">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42830791]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="73849624">
    <user id="838925">
    <name><![CDATA[Tina]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Caldwell, ID]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/838925-tina]]></url>
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  <ratings_count type="integer">312</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">73</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at>Sat Oct 10 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Oct 08 07:52:41 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Oct 10 11:08:04 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Reading this for my Young Adult Resources class. It takes place in the 1960s, in the &quot;hood&quot; and follows the identity crisis of a teen who can't decide how he feels about the political, racial and social turmoils surrounding the civil rights movement. <br/><br/>I didn't like it all that m...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73849624">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73849624]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="54480084">
    <user id="689186">
    <name><![CDATA[Todd]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[New York, NY]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/689186-todd]]></url>
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  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Apr 30 09:53:41 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Apr 30 09:59:03 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Preachy and cliché (it’s not the winning but the fight that makes the man!) but about boxing, which is compelling.  The main character is too good— riding the high road while his best friend falls into the bad-ass group of kids hanging out in the basement, partying and knocking over convenience...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54480084">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54480084]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="66788597">
    <user id="2610784">
    <name><![CDATA[Jenny]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[New York, NY]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2610784-jenny-brown]]></url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">821305</id>
  <isbn>0064470393</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780064470391</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">43</ratings_count>
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  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/821305.The_Contender</link>
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    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Aug 09 17:53:06 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Aug 09 17:53:30 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[If you get Bob Lipsyte talking about how The Contender came to be, he will tell you that the seed was planted when he took a man named Cus D’Amato out to dinner, shortly before he covered a boxing match in 1964 in Miami. Lipsyte would later go on to be a sports columnist for the New York Times, bu...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/66788597">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/66788597]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="23759846">
    <user id="557923">
    <name><![CDATA[Samir]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/557923-samir]]></url>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
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    <rating>3</rating>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Jun 05 07:25:06 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Jun 05 07:25:06 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I just finished reading The Contender by Robert Lipsyte  and when it comes to boxing books I usually don’t like them. But this book is a boxing book but a lesson in society through boxing.<br/>What this book is about is Alfred  who is a high school dropout and he does not know how to go about his...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23759846">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23759846]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="54469945">
    <user id="1649161">
    <name><![CDATA[Joel]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1649161-joel]]></url>
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    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Apr 30 08:19:05 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Apr 30 08:26:41 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[The contender is a remarkable novel about one man's struggles in becoming a boxer. He overcomes the dangers in his neighborhood and the influence of bad friends in order to accomplish what he set out for. However, when he gets what he wants, others try to take it from him. He trains every day and ig...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54469945">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54469945]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="65117213">
    <user id="2376493">
    <name><![CDATA[A Bookshelf Monstrosity]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Murfreesboro, TN]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2376493-a-bookshelf-monstrosity]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1248707702p3/2376493.jpg]]></image>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">50053</id>
  <isbn>0064471527</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780064471527</isbn13>
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  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Jul 27 07:37:39 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Jul 27 07:37:39 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[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 tha...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/65117213">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/65117213]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="18367692">
    <user id="376436">
    <name><![CDATA[Jonathan]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[New York, NY]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/376436-jonathan]]></url>
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  <id type="integer">50053</id>
  <isbn>0064471527</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780064471527</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">312</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">73</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Mar 18 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Mar 22 06:44:45 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Mar 22 06:44:45 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[      While I read the contender last year, I wanted to read it again because I had enjoyed it. The book is about Alfred, a young black teenager who is troubled and confused. His best friend is on drugs and he has little hope given that he has dropped out of school and works in a lowly job. What cha...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/18367692">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/18367692]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="40375798">
    <user id="1060569">
    <name><![CDATA[Andrea]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Durham, NC]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1060569-andrea-fortwendel]]></url>
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  <id type="integer">50053</id>
  <isbn>0064471527</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780064471527</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">312</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">73</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
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    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sat Jan 03 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Dec 18 07:49:21 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Jan 03 18:24:21 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I read this book because it was on a Freshmen curriculum list. It is about an African American teenager trying to figure out what it means to be a black male during the Civil Rights in urban America. But the lesson extends across boundaries. I like the complexity the main character brings and the me...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/40375798">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/40375798]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="43940797">
    <user id="27804">
    <name><![CDATA[Jennifer]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/27804-jennifer]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1177169878p3/27804.jpg]]></image>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">821305</id>
  <isbn>0064470393</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780064470391</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">43</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">8</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178678629m/821305.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/821305.The_Contender</link>
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    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Jan 22 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Jan 22 10:18:44 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Jan 22 10:20:43 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I'd never read this classic YA novel and I just happened to pick it up yesterday at work when I was bored during testing.  I'm glad I did because it's a really lovely novel about being a man and working hard for what you want.  Lipsyte's characters seem very real and he offers hope without any easy ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/43940797">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/43940797]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="46755325">
    <user id="1609471">
    <name><![CDATA[TheSaint]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Salem, OR]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1609471-thesaint]]></url>
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  <ratings_count type="integer">312</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">73</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
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    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at>Sat Sep 25 00:00:00 -0700 2004</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Feb 18 09:53:58 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Feb 18 09:53:58 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Life is bleak for African Americans in the big city. Staying in school seems too tough, and a life of crime and drugs doesn't fill the need either. What's an easy way out? For Alfred Brooks, its a career in boxing. But he soon finds out that though he loves all the work and sweat of practice, he jus...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/46755325">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/46755325]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="76848721">
    <user id="2914194">
    <name><![CDATA[Cristina]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Quito, 18, Ecuador]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2914194-cristina-moncayo]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-111x148.jpg]]></image>
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  <id type="integer">50053</id>
  <isbn>0064471527</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780064471527</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">312</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">73</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Nov 05 15:02:13 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Nov 05 15:14:18 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I liked this book a lot. I think the author gave us reality of meny people! the part when he fights is realy good but i think the trainer acts very wiard! his life is very harsh and i cant imagine living without my parents! it is a realy good book that keeps you into it ... i gave this book 3 stars ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76848721">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76848721]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="77260241">
    <user id="2922196">
    <name><![CDATA[Elisa]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Guayaquil, 10, Ecuador]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2922196-elisa-jarrin]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1257815897p3/2922196.jpg]]></image>
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  <id type="integer">50053</id>
  <isbn>0064471527</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780064471527</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">312</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">73</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Nov 09 17:25:13 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Nov 09 17:28:25 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This was a very nice book. It gave me so much details i feel I was the character. I think this was a story of a situation many kids have gone trough and I really enjoy it reading it. i felt some times like I was the character and I didnt knew what to do. Now that I have read this book I can tell you...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77260241">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77260241]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="70417322">
    <user id="2167631">
    <name><![CDATA[Elyse83]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2167631-elyse83]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-U-111x148.jpg]]></image>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">50053</id>
  <isbn>0064471527</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780064471527</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">312</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">73</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
</book>

    <rating>0</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[young adults; sports fans]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[young adult lit class]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Sep 07 18:53:57 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Sep 07 18:55:32 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count>1</read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Set in late 1960s Harlem, Alfred Brooks learns through his boxing coach and his determination, that there is a world outside the neighborhood, and that he can finish his schooling and better his job situation.  This new knowledge also allows him to help his friend James, who has chose the different ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70417322">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70417322]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="51878338">
    <user id="1009955">
    <name><![CDATA[Meg]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Arlington, VA]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1009955-meg]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1206066415p3/1009955.jpg]]></image>
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  <id type="integer">50053</id>
  <isbn>0064471527</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780064471527</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">312</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">73</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Apr 07 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Apr 07 18:47:52 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Apr 07 18:49:19 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I just finished this book with my high level English learners....they liked the book, but not the ending. I found the book really well written---and realistic. The message was good for the age....and I think that once we start to discuss the book and its ending some more the students will like the b...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51878338">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51878338]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="32991573">
    <user id="1533694">
    <name><![CDATA[Jimmie]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Fort Mill, SC]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1533694-jimmie]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-M-111x148.jpg]]></image>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">50053</id>
  <isbn>0064471527</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780064471527</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">312</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">73</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[Anyone who loves books about boxing]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[no one i seen it and i thought i looked like a good book so i de]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Sep 04 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Sep 16 06:23:55 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Sep 16 06:50:02 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count>I've only read this book once but i would deffintly read it again!</read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[The Contender, to me it is a very fasinating book. It is about a boy named Alfred who lives in Harlem, New York. So one day he decides to go to the gym and take boxing. So the owner Donatteli Decides to train him to become a contender, he was a ggod fighter he won all of his matches untill the last,...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/32991573">more...</a>]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/32991573]]></url>
</review>
    <review id="62933303">
    <user id="2497141">
    <name><![CDATA[Robert]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Masury, OH]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2497141-robert-sternthal]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-M-111x148.jpg]]></image>
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  <id type="integer">50053</id>
  <isbn>0064471527</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780064471527</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">312</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">73</text_reviews_count>
  <title>The Contender</title>
  <average_rating>3.38</average_rating>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170366380m/50053.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50053.The_Contender</link>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Wed Jul 08 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Jul 10 11:38:10 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Jul 10 11:40:37 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This is a truely wonderful book. It is about an 18 year old drop out whos best friend is hooked on drugs and he cant get him to quit and his job is going nowhere so he goes to Donatellis gym and begins training to become a boxer.]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/62933303]]></url>
</review>
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