The Contender

Title: The Contender
Author: Robert Lipsyte
Publisher: Harper Collins
City: New York
Year: 1967

The Contender focuses on Alfred, a 17 year old African American boy living in Harlem. Alfred is discontent with his life and all he wants is to be sure he does not fall into the traps of drugs and crime, instead, Alfred turns to sports training in boxing. He trains hard and learns to box, but after some success decides boxing is not for him as it is too violent and he does not want to box.

This book was written in the 1960's and therefore uses language specific to the time frame, but in some areas is a little "rough." Although the story centers on a young African American boy who does excel in sports, in the end Alfred returns his focus on school, wanting to become a coach working with children at the recreational center. The story has a more optomistic feel by the end of the story, but there were some streotypes within the story on whites, blacks and the Jewish culture.