Cover of The Undefeated

The Undefeated

by Kwame Alexander

Assigned across 2 curriculum lists

On reading-award lists:Caldecott MedalCoretta Scott King Illustrator Award

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander is assigned in US schools at grades 2–6. It appears across 2 curriculum references, sourced from state DOE pages and AP/IB/Common Core syllabi. Every citation below links to the primary source.

This page shows where The Undefeated is assigned in US schools — curricula, states, grades, and the primary-source citations behind each placement. Not a summary or study guide.

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Grade range
Grades 2–6
Pages
45
Reading time
about 50 minutes (est.)
First published
2019
Genre
History
ISBN-13
9781328780966

New to these terms? Reading levels by grade · What is the Caldecott Medal?

More formats & details

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About this book

Winner of the 2020 Caldecott Medal A 2020 Newbery Honor Book Winner of the 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award The Newbery Award-winning author of THE CROSSOVER pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree. Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and

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Why widely assigned

This History title, typically at grades 2–6. Written in the 2010s; cited across 2 curriculum frameworks.

Where this book is assigned

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Common questions

What grade level is The Undefeated?
The Undefeated is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 2–6. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
How long does it take to read The Undefeated?
It takes about 50 minutes to read The Undefeated (45 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 50 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.
What curricula assign The Undefeated?
The Undefeated appears on reading lists for Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is The Undefeated banned in schools?
The Undefeated does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.

Why this book is on this list

How we classify

Each dimension below is sourced from a public reference. The full framework is documented on the classification standard page.

Lexile measure
Not classified — this book has no published Lexile measure.
Grade band
Grades 2–6 — drawn from state ELA frameworks and AP/IB syllabi citing this book.
Curriculum alignment
Cited in 2 curricula on this site (see “Where assigned” above for primary-source links).
State-level evidence
Not yet documented in a state-level framework on this site.
Removal / banning records
No tracked removal or challenge records in cited sources.
Seasonal / contextual tags
Tagged for: award-winner, read-aloud.

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