Books like The Undefeated

If you liked The Undefeated, read Big, A Ball for Daisy, or A Sick Day for Amos McGee — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander (History · grades 2–6)? The 10 titles below are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, shared award lists, genre, and reading level, and each linked to the curricula, states, and grades where it’s assigned, with primary sources.

These are reading-level matches, not just topical ones — so the picks stay grade-appropriate for a grades 2–6 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to The Undefeated

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Why each is a match

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Biggrades K–5
Both on the Caldecott Medal list (+1 more shared list) and overlapping grades (K–5). Amazon →
A Ball for Daisygrades K–2
Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (K–2), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
A Sick Day for Amos McGeegrades K–3
Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (K–3), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Finding Winnie: The Story of the Real Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Poohgrades 1–4
Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (1–4), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Flotsamgrades K–4
Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (K–4), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Grandfather's Journeygrades K–5
Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (K–5), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Heart and Soulgrades K–5
Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, overlapping grades (K–5), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Hello Lighthousegrades K–3
Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (K–3), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
I'm Going to Sing, Black American Spirituals, Volume Twogrades K–5
Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, overlapping grades (K–5), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Kitten's First Full Moon Board Bookgrades K–2
Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (K–2), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →

Books like The Undefeated for younger readers (K–2)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps K–2— same scoring, different audience.

  • Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña · 610L — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, overlapping grades (K–3), and the same era (2010s).
  • Let it Shine by Ashley Bryan · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, overlapping grades (K–5), and the same era (2010s).
  • Locomotive by Brian Floca · grades 2–6 — Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (2–6), and the same era (2010s).
  • Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, overlapping grades (K–5), and the same era (2010s).
  • Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe · grades 2–5 — Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (2–5), and the same era (2010s).

Books like The Undefeated for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 3–5— same scoring, different audience.

  • Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña · 610L — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, overlapping grades (K–3), and the same era (2010s).
  • Let it Shine by Ashley Bryan · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, overlapping grades (K–5), and the same era (2010s).
  • Locomotive by Brian Floca · grades 2–6 — Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (2–6), and the same era (2010s).
  • Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, overlapping grades (K–5), and the same era (2010s).
  • Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe · grades 2–5 — Both on the Caldecott Medal list, overlapping grades (2–5), and the same era (2010s).

Book data last updated 2026-07-07. Matches are computed from each book’s cited attributes — see the methodology.

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