A Nation's Hope: the Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis

by Matt de la Peña, Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

The magnificent, inspiring story of an
AMERICAN SPORTS HERO

On the eve of World War II, African-American boxer Joe Louis fought German Max Schmeling in a bout that had more at stake than just the world heavyweight title. For much of America, their fight came to represent America’s war with Germany. This elegant and powerful picture book biography centers on this historic fight in which the American people came together to celebrate our nation’s founding ideals. 

New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award 
Booklist Editor's Choice Best Books of 2011 
School Library Journal Best Books of 2011

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Sports, History, Childrens, African American

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2011

About the author

Matt de la Peña is the New York Times best-selling, Newbery-medal-winning author of six young adult novels and four picture books. Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific, where he attended school on a full athletic scholarship for basketball. de la Peña currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country.

Visit Matt at: mattdelapena.com

Reviews

[katsok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four star story, five star illustrations. I'd read someone's grocery list if Kadir Nelson illustrated it. Beautiful book.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

de la Pena's text is good but it's Nelson's knockout illustrations that give this picture book biography power.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Louis, the Brown Bomber, fought Max Schmeling for the first time in 1936 and was knocked out in the 12th round. It was a humiliating defeat for Louis and strengthened his determination to work harder and fight smarter. Louis was already a favorite of African Americans when he knocked out Jim Braddock to win the heavyweight championship of the world the following year, but it was not until his second match with Schmeling that he became a favorite with all America. For many Americans the bout was much more than a boxing match. It was a symbolic fight between the two nations, a patriotic contest between democracy and fascism. Louis’ first-round knockout lifted the hearts and pride of all Americans and made Louis a national hero.

Nelson’s vibrant oil on wood paintings build the tension as the free verse poetry relates Louis’ rise to the top of his sport. The only flaw is de la Pena’s omission of almost all punctuation, leaving readers with no guide to phrasing or pace. This makes the text difficult to read smoothly, sometimes results in awkward phrasing or inappropriate pauses, and makes prereading before sharing aloud an absolute necessity. Nevertheless, from the alliterative imagery in the opening lines, “Yankee Stadium, 1938 / Packed crowd buzzing and bets / bantered back and forth / The Bronx night air thick with summer,” to the victorious closing, “The streets of Harlem once again dancing for their hero / But all of America dancing this time,” the text and illustrations pack a powerful one-two punch that is not easily forgotten.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audience:3rd grade and up. Mainly boys or anyone with an interest in boxing legends. Also for those interested in sports during World War 2 or Jim Crow America.

Appeal:The story is written in verse which adds interest. It's an inspiring story of whites and blacks coming together in a time where hatred for one another was strong. Grandiose pictures. Some look like actual photos, some use the fight poster as background. Close up pictures of Joe convey the emotion of the time for him.

School Library Journal Best Books of 2011 Nonfiction


On another biographical note, I read the biography of Dolley Madison on PebbleGo.
Audience:K-2 Girls or anyone looking for information on Dolley.

Appeal:Simple, easy to understand text. Interesting background information. Dolley did not live a boring life and that is conveyed through the facts told about her. Makes for interesting reading.

PebbleGo.com-Biographies-First Ladies

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audience: preschool and up, boys, history lovers, sports fans
Appeal: This book reads more like a story than an informational text, so I would say it is fast-paced and there are characters that can be easily related to in the story. The book features large illustrations on every page depicting what is occurring in the story. This book will be loved by people interested in history and sports, because it focuses on a real historical even that took place in America while it tells a suspenseful story about a big time boxing match. This book came from the School Library Journal Best Non-Fiction Books of 2011 list.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

13 January 2011 A NATION'S HOPE: THE STORY OF BOXING LEGEND JOE LEWIS by Matt de la Pena and Kadir Nelson, ill., Dial, January 2011, 40p., ISBN: 978-0-8037-3167-7

"The world waits for Joe Louis to take the ring,take center stage
White men wait standing by black men
but standing apart Jim Crow America

"All to witness the most important
match in boxing history
Soft-spoken Joe Lewis against the one man
who put him on his back

"But Joe knows tonight's fight is bigger than any two men
Son of a black sharecropper
against Hitler's 'master race'
Black and white Americans
together against the rule of Nazi hate"

A NATION'S HOPE is an exceptional picturebook for older readers. Matt de la Pena's lyrical text is every bit as stunning as Kadir Nelson's unforgettable illustrations. This is a book that is exciting to read and which selection and awards committees will no doubt be examining a year from now. It is one that I will be sharing with my Picturebooks for Older Readers students later this year.

A NATION'S HOPE provides a good introduction to Joe Louis, who was world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949 and is considered by some to be the first African American to achieve the status of nationwide hero. He achieved this status because of his boxing victory over Nazi Max Schmeling in Yankee Stadium on June 22, 1938 (and because his managers worked hard to fashion his image as being the antithesis of another black champion, Jack Johnson, who, a generation earlier, had been hated and feared by so much of white America).

I'd certainly heard about Joe Louis, a.k.a The Brown Bomber, when I was growing up, and A NATION'S HOPE alternates between the tale of Louis's ascent and that dramatic night in Yankee Stadium.

But, I find myself wondering as I read this tale what kind of weird people live in America. This is, on one level, the story of how a bunch of white people in America stopped hating at least one black guy for one night because they hated Nazis even more. It has me wondering where other people who were hated in America would have fit into this equation. If Joe Louis was black AND gay, would they still have hated the Nazi more? What about if Joe Louis was black and a Muslim, or if he had a white girlfriend like Jack Johnson? What if he had ignored his managers' strict rules of conduct and had done stuff like trash talk his defeated white American opponents?

I wonder if there was a statistically significant decrease in the number of blacks lynched in America in the wake of this fight. There certainly was no subsequent changes in the enforcement of those Jim Crow laws. Undoubtedly, as a result of their admiration for Joe Louis, some white Americans became more open to seeing people of color as real people, but knowing the violence against and hatred for those seeking Civil Rights that I saw regularly on the evening news a generation later (from my all-white, red-lined, childhood suburban community), I have to wonder how much Joe Louis really changed America.

But for one night, one amazing black boxing legend did marshal the enthusiasm of white Americans who wanted him to beat the crap out of the Nazi. As we learn in A NATION'S HOPE, it was so exciting when Schmeling's corner threw in the towel that some white guys totally lost all their inhibitions and were actually seen hugging black guys in Yankee Stadium.

What I can't help wondering is whether white guys would have the balls to do the same thing in public if the fight had taken place in Birmingham or Little Rock.

Richie Partington, MLIS
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[Ms. Tongate, TLC Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Illustrations were incredible; The Author/Illustrator fight card was a cute touch.
*70,000 people to attend a fight at Yankee Stadium in 1938 was incredible to me.

From Richie's Picks review:
A NATION'S HOPE provides a good introduction to Joe Louis, who was world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949 and is considered by some to be the first African American to achieve the status of nationwide hero. He achieved this status because of his boxing victory over Nazi Max Schmeling in Yankee Stadium on June 22, 1938

I'd certainly heard about Joe Louis, a.k.a The Brown Bomber, when I was growing up, and A NATION'S HOPE alternates between the tale of Louis's ascent and that dramatic night in Yankee Stadium.

But, I find myself wondering as I read this tale what kind of weird people live in America. This is, on one level, the story of how a bunch of white people in America stopped hating at least one black guy for one night because they hated Nazis even more. It has me wondering where other people who were hated in America would have fit into this equation. If Joe Louis was black AND gay, would they still have hated the Nazi more? What about if Joe Louis was black and a Muslim, or if he had a white girlfriend like Jack Johnson? What if he had ignored his managers' strict rules of conduct and had done stuff like trash talk his defeated white American opponents?

I wonder if there was a statistically significant decrease in the number of blacks lynched in America in the wake of this fight. There certainly was no subsequent changes in the enforcement of those Jim Crow laws. Undoubtedly, as a result of their admiration for Joe Louis, some white Americans became more open to seeing people of color as real people, but knowing the violence against and hatred for those seeking Civil Rights that I saw regularly on the evening news a generation later, I have to wonder how much Joe Louis really changed America.

But for one night, one amazing black boxing legend did marshal the enthusiasm of white Americans who wanted him to beat the crap out of the Nazi. As we learn in A NATION'S HOPE, it was so exciting when Schmeling's corner threw in the towel that some white guys totally lost all their inhibitions and were actually seen hugging black guys in Yankee Stadium.

[Arretta Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Class, what type or genre of books have I been reading aloud so far this month? (wait for correct answer of biographies) I have read biographies of notable or famous African-Americans because the United States celebrates Black History Month during February. Today, I want to introduce you to a man who was a very famous boxer many years ago during a time when our country was about to enter WWII and we needed a hero or someone to look up to that would give us hope. The book is titled A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis. It was written by Matt De la Pena and Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. How many of you think Joe Louis will be that hope our country needed? How could a boxer become a national hero? Let's read it and find out how he accomplished that!"

I used the opening move of drawing the students' attention to the specific genre we've been reading to introduce this book. I would want to remind them that February is BHM and why I have chosen to read this particular book to them. I would also want them to do a little predicting of the outcome before I read it, so I asked the two questions at the end about Joe Louis being the hope/hero for our country.

I chose to include this book in my text set of biographies for BHM because I believe that most of today's students might not have heard of Joe Louis. I would also explain to the class what a "boxer" is just in case someone thought I was talking about men's underwear. :) I was drawn to this book because Joe Louis and my mother were contemporaries. My mother was 19 in 1938 when the epic boxing match took place between Louis and Max Schmeling, the great German boxer. The writing was particularly interesting to me because it was written as a free verse poem (and I love poetry). The illustrations were simply divine as they clearly depicted the mood and importance of the incidents in the story.

(2011, February 1). School Library Journal. http://www.booksinprint2.com.leo.lib....#

[Addison White · Rating 5 out of 5]

BIOGRAPHY Grade 3-4:

This picture book retells the story of the 1938 boxing rematch between America’s Joe Louis and Germany’s Max Schmeling. This boxing match was much more than a simply “win”, but rather symbolized the good versus evil, between America and Nazi Germany, between democracy and fascism. The defeat of Schmeling was a moment when both black and white Americans celebrated together, despite the division of America at the time. This book connects the history of Joe Louis with the political history of the 1930s. The book opens with the crowd waiting outside Yankee Stadium for the rematch and then travels back to Louis’ childhood. Louis was a shy child from a sharecropper family. Sent to violin lessons in hopes of becoming a musician, Louis takes a wrong turn and ends up in a gym full of boxers. This misdirection leads Louis to become not only a legend, but also a nation’s hope. His win over Schmeling lifted the hearts and pride of all Americans.

The simplicity of the free verse and rich pictures make this book unforgettable and engaging. This read aloud can easily be incorporated into the classroom and can also be connected with social studies lessons concerning racism, prejudice, and equality as well as World War II. Conducting small-group research on the time period and even on Joe Louis would be an engaging extension to this book. Not only does this story relate to World War II but also to the racism and division America was facing. Students can also dive into the different challenges Joe Louis might have faced as a child as well as when he became a famous boxer. This is discussion can lead into a writing activity concerning certain challenges your students’ lives. This story is an awesome read aloud that can then be tied back into World War II as well as the Jim Crow America.

[Aknipfel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book “A Nation’s Hope The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis” is a 2012 Carter G Woodson Honor Award winner and a 2010 Coretta Scott King Author award winner as well. This story is about the fight in history in which the prejudice of blacks and white in America were mending and this Boxer was able to fight for his country in a unique way. Joe Louis goes through many trials in his life all the way from being a slave to being a star. I would use this book to teach children about History, about racism and prejudice and about equality.

I would use the Text to Self-strategy to introduce this story to the children. I would ask the children how many of them have ever seen boxers on tv. or in a movie. I would then let them know that the story we will be talking about is about a very good athlete who fought for his country.

To relate this book to the children by using a Text-to-Text Strategy, I would ask the children if they had ever seen or read about the baseball player Jackie Robinson. I would link Jackie Robinson the African American Baseball player to Joe Louis the African American Boxer. Both of these athletes went through racist struggles along their path to success.

World War II would be a great way to use the Text to World Strategy. I would talk about the story and the time that it took place during World War II. I would then talk about the story, and how it became a symbol of the war between Germany. This story would be a great history lesson for WWII.

With this story I would think that it would be great story to talk about while talking about the racism in our nation’s history. While teaching this story I would have the students link Joe Louis with another icon that struggled with racism.

[James Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts out with newspaper headlines on the Joe Louis Versus Max Schemling heavyweight fight. The real story starts with the life of a young African American boy with a passion for boxing. Joe Louis came into the Boxing World as an underdog, who was willing to withstand the rigger and punishment of professional boxing. Louis took to boxing like a fish takes to water. From his first pro-fight he begin knocking opponents out cold, defeating every fighter that got in the ring with him. Opponent after opponent, city after city Joe was victorious. Joe lost an important fight at the top of his career, a fight that put the world at odds, America against Germany, democracy against Communism. Nazi Germany was committing crimes against humanity in the persecution of the Jewish people in Nazi concentration camps. America knew of these war crimes and resented it, World War II was already in progress. Joe Louis had a rematch with Max Schemling, only this time Louis knew what he had to do. The fight became a slaughter of schemling, the German was out-matched and knocked down so many times his corner threw in the towel of defeat, no contest. America went crazy with excitement, cheering, and celebrating. For that moment this was a victory for America, there was no black or white, just Americans, white and black sharing the same stage against a common enemy "Hilter."Blacks as Americans against a foreign enemy, whites are willing to stand back to back with blacks to Save Face for the sake of American pride, honor, and victory. One of America 's greatest moments in history, where the hero was an African American that demonstrated the true American Spirit in its time of need.

[Doret · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Nation's Hope: the story of boxing legend Joe Louis by Matt de la Pena, illus by Kadir Nelson

Like everything else in 1930's boxing was segregated.

The world waits for Joe Louis to take the ring,
take center stage
White men wait standing beside Black men, but standing apart
Jim Crow America

In the 1938 rematch against German fighter Max Schmeling, Louis was looked upon as a nation's hope because of the impending war. This is the fight that de la Pena leads readers to, though first we are introduced to a young Joe Louis.

He didn't speak until he was six,
and when he finally spoke he stammered
and was ridiculed
Words spinning just beyond Joe's grasp,
and with black skin he passed through childhood in the shadows
Yet there was something about his hands, so big and powerful
Nights he'd stare down at those hands and dream

Nelson's image of a young Joe Louis to the right of Pena's text is strong, gorgeous and focused. Nelson easily captures the strength of Louis's hands. It's one of my favorite panels in the book. The same goes for Pena. Author and illustrator were very in sync.

Pena's text has a great rhythm to it, very fitting for a biography on a boxer. Nelson's illustrations are lovely as always. I do wish the author would've included some back information. There isn't even a timeline or author's note.

Though A Nation's Hope is a still nice introduction to Joe Louis, the second Black heavyweight champion. After reading this I wanted to learn more about Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling.

I have Pena and Nelson to thank for my desire to want to know more about Louis. I believe readers of all ages will be moved to do the same.

[Michael Lausche · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is about the legendary "Joe Louis", and the story of how he became what he was known for. As a child, he did not speak until the age of six, and was disposed for how he talked, as well as the words that came flowing out of this mouth. What did strike notice about him though, was his massive hands. He knew one day that they would be put to use in fighting, and trained until the time came where he must face the biggest challenge of his life. This is where the book takes a complex turn, describing not only who Louis was going to face (Max Schmeling), but what the country was enduring as well. WWII was going on at the time, and America was hurting. Not only did racial discriminations bring a desire of a hero for the African American society, but for all people of America. The United States as a whole needed someone to make a statement, and Joe Louis was the man to do it. The illustrations of this book are phenomenal, giving the reader rich history of the boxing legend's figure, training exercise, triumphs and victories, and the setting in which the boxing took place at. My favorite illustration, is of young Louis watching older men spar and getting in his own practice. He would be found punching heavy bags and skipping rope. I highly recommend this book for children ages 2nd-3rd, because of the text complexity. There should be some brief background of U.S. history and World history before reading this book.

[Karissa Kelly]

A Nation's Hope is about a black boxer named Joe Louis. He grew up a quiet shadow until he begam boxing. He became African American's hopes and dreams, their hero, and that community relied on his humble hands. However, in one of his fights he was defeated by a white German man who was apart of Hitler's Nazis. Therefore, Joe wanted a rematch, and he got one. He trained harder than ever before because this time he was everyone's hope. Everyone was relying on him because the Nazis had concentration camps and they needed a hero to believe in. Joe lands the first punch. He strikes again and again and eventually the German's corner man throws in the white towel, and the fight is over. Joe Louis is a hero no matter the color of his skin because he brought hope to everyone.

I really liked this book. I wasn't very familiar with this story, so I found this piece of history interesting. The writing was slightly confusing in my opinion, but the illustrations done by Kadir Nelson were mesmerizing.

I recommend reading this book. It teaches a great history lesson, and it talks about color being put aside. Consequently, it would be a relevant topic to bring up in a classroom, and could get students talking. I also think boys would especially respond to this book, maybe they could find a new hero in Joe Louis, and his humble hands.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this impressive picture book focusing on boxer Joe Louis's dramatic second fight against German Max Schmeling, readers are reminded how sports, politics, and social reform seem inevitably to interweave. While I am glad that more attention is being paid to an event that occurred in 1938, I would have liked to have known more about the young Joe Louis as well as the triumphant fighter. In some respects the brief coming together of whites and blacks to celebrate this man's accomplishments beg questions about why this new, more tolerant and accepting attitude didn't last and whether perhaps Louis's victory was one of the first steps in the modern day Civil Rights Movement. Passion fills each line of text, and the oil painted on wood illustrations are trademark Nelson--gasp-worthy. My favorite painting depicts the young boxer having been knocked off his feet seven times. Unfortunately, the book contains no back matter or references, essential in a biography such as this one. Teachers will need to provide plenty of additional information for the questions this one leaves unanswered. This would be a worthy companion to Andrea Davis Pinkney's Bird in a Box which describes the same period and focus on Louis's impact in a book for middle grade readers.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nice book with illustrations by Kadir Nelson. I learned something from it. I didn't know a ton about Joe Louis, but it was great!!

The only reason I can't give it the full 5 stars because it is just a touch just a smidgen... a little too black. As a white person, sure I would say "Of course it is a little too black because you are white" but what I mean is it puts whites down just a tad and for it to be the perfect book it would need a little more balanced. Race is a touchy subject but the 2nd to last page of the book makes me think this way "White men hugging black and black men hugging back" It makes me think that it was an incredible/unimaginable thing thing that white men would hug a black man and that the black man would "dare" hug the white man back like it was unthinkable. Yes with all the Jim Crow laws and stuff like I get the racial tension, but it seems like those pesky white people lowered themselves from their pedestal and allowed themselves to embrace those of a different race

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Nation's Hope" is about a time when Blacks and Whites came together to support one man. Joe Louis a shy young man who began his training to be a boxer at a young age. He is not one to boast about his winning and help his opponent up after being knocked down at the end. Joe though is about to face his greatest opponent, a Nazi German who supports Hitler and the nation knows it. They want to see Joe take him down.
I am not a huge fan of wrestling, do not see the point of it, yet this story of hope and achieving dreams is really inspiring. The illustrations are well done and tell the story wonderfully. Young boys will love this book.
There are a few ways I could use this book in my classroom. I could talk about this book on a topic about never giving up on our dreams or even about how we can choose careers. I could even use this book when talking about unity. In the book a nation regardless of race came together to support a man.

[Erica]

Audience: Primary
Genre: Biography

The fiction twin text that I would use to include with this book would be Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. Set around the same time, both of these stories include messages of African American’s strengths in overcoming great obstacles. Bud Not Buddy, is a longer book that could be read aloud by the teacher if these two stories were used in a more primary setting. Bud, Not Buddy would be used to enhance this nonfiction selection by describing important events and emotions of the 1930’s and ‘40’s leading up to civil rights in America

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sharing this with my book group who is reading Mighty Miss Malone for our FEAR unit this month. Perfect for building background knowledge for the same event - the boxing match between Joe Louis and German Max Schmeling in 1938 - that Chrisopher Paul Curtis includes in his book. Beautiful, emotional, energetic illustrations by Kadir Nelson. It will help the group understand the impact of the event on the morale of America and how it impacted the coming together of two races against a common enemy. Interesting story structure to discuss, too.

[Ouida Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author: Matt de la Pena

Title: A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis

Plot: This book is a biography that centers on the historic fight in which the American people came together to celebrate the joy of an AMerican win over a Geman boxer. An outstanding book on the life of boxing great Joe Lewis.

Setting: The United States

Character: Joe Lewis

Theme: Boxing; Sports; African Americans

Style: Biography

Copyright: 2011

Notes: This boo was an excellent book to read. I enjoyed the illustrations and they helped bring the story to life.

[Kristie Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the Boxing Legend Joe Louis who fought German Max Schmeling. The match came as the nation is about to enter World War 2. This is a book about of our country coming together to over come prejudice behind a needed symbol. The illustrations are what make this book truly spectactular. Caldecott Honor winner Kadir Nelson painted the illustrations with oil on wood. The use of color and shadows is amazing, reperesenting Joe as a light emerging from the shadows of Harlem. I would use this in my classroom to show how determination and hard work can affect a nation.

[April Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boxing Legend, Joe Louis, fought the German Max Schmeling for the first time in 1936 and was badly defeated. Though it was a humiliating loss at the height of his career, he was resolved to heal and work even harder. As World War Two was brewing, Louis was scheduled for a second match with Schmeling. For Americans the match was about much more than boxing. Louis' victory lifted the hearts of all Americans both black and white. Kadir Nelson's painted illustrations make this book a true knock out!

[Michael Morley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great story about never giving up, even when the entire world is watching and even listening. As an African-American in the late 1930’s, Joe Louis had to prove to himself to with his fists that he was the one America could count on. Even with the weight of America on his shoulders, Joe Louis knew he had to be the hero they needed during a terrible time of war, and with the words of Matt De la Pena, it captures what hardship Joe Louis had to go through and overcome. As the title of the book says, a nation’s hope, Joe Louis was indeed everything America was hoping for.

[Kylie Rademacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful biographical story telling how African American Joe Louis came to be America's hero. During the time of Nazi Rule Joe boxed the German, Max Schmeling. Whites and blacks came together during "Jim Crow America" to watch the fight and cheer him on. In sharing about the life of Joe Louis this book introduces so much historical content. The story provides so many outlets for rich discussion and the illustrations are incredible!! I am such a fan of both Matt de la Peña and Kadir Nelson, amazing duo!!

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a fan of both Matthew de La Pena and Kadir Nelson. Nelson does a great job of rendering the beautiful dance that is boxing and the Joe Louis as a person . But I think de la Pena missed the mark with writing for children. The book did include the theme that the Joe Louis vs Max Schlemng fight was one of the earliest times that both black and white America rallied around an African American athlete. In essence America supported Louis to represent the county on this global scale.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really well framed book. Starting and ending with the Joe Louis-Max Schmeling rematch bout, it tells the story of how at that time the nation united around an African-American athlete. While it may be seeing the past a bit rosier than it was, the story is so fascinating, and the illustrations recall the style of one of my favorite paintings, Stag at Sharky's by George Bellows (which resides in the incredible and free Cleveland Museum of Art.

[Zack Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never have I understood the allure of boxing. The sport always seemed like a glorified street brawl. However, this book gave me a new appreciation for what boxing could be: two men, symbols of a larger group or cause, confronting one another in a staged microcosmos that reflects a larger struggle. Beautifully rendered and infinitely engrossing, the book is a testament to the possibilities of non-fiction picturebooks.

[Betsy Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well done book. I loved it. The pictures add so much detail and emotion to the story.

How did I feel while reading this story?
I was overcome with pride and excitement as I read this book. The writing style is rich with imagery. I found myself willing Joe to victory.

What was your favorite part?
“Devastated, he covered his face leaving the ring
Shadows once again falling and the taste of failure
Harlem streets struck silent

[Diane Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There was something about his hands, so big and powerful Nights he’d stare down at those hands and dream”. Joe’s mama wanted him to play violin. On music lesson days, Joe would hide in a gym and watch the boxers spar. His dream was to become a fighter so he returned day after day. Finally he stepped out of the shadows and began to learn to box. He would become the Nation’s hope against the Nazis prized boxer.

The writing and illustration in this picture book is unbelievable!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tribute to Joe Louis, a boxer who is an American Sports icon. The book depicts how Joe's dream to win the heavyweight championship intersected with America's vision to show Nazi Germany America's might during the war. The book also highlights the African-American communities' pride and support for Joe. This boxing match united a segregated America for one night. Kadir Nelson's illustrations are superb!