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Overview
The Contender is a young adult novel by American author and sports journalist Robert Lipsyte that was first published in 1967
. The novel follows the story of Alfred Brooks, a seventeen-year-old Black American living in Harlem, as he navigates the challenges of poverty and racism while also pursuing his dream of becoming a professional boxer. Guided by his mentor, Mr. Donatelli, Alfred confronts personal demons, societal expectations, and his own insecurities. The Contender explores themes of resilience, identity, and the transformative power of sports.Explore the full book summary, an in-depth character analysis of Alfred Brooks, and explanations of important quotes from The Contender.
