Contender, The by Lipsyte, Robert Reviewed by Tyler, age 14 The Contender by Robert Lipsyte My book is about a young black boy Alfred. He finds himself ending up in a gym called “Donatelli’s Gym.” The owner Mr. Donatelli asked why he was there and he repliedby saying, “I want to learn how to fight and be a boxer.” `Mr. Donatelli asked what grade he was in but Alfred said he quit in t eleventh grade. Donatelli said “what makes you think you won’t quit here?” Alfred replied “I want to be someone.” Mr. Donatelli told Alfred after only his third fight it was time. He wants Alfred to quit because he thinks Alfred doesn’t have the killer instinct. Alfred said “I have to do one more fight I have to know.” Donatelli agreed to let him to do one more and one more only. When Mr. Donatelli herd who they were fighting he said “NO!” Alfred finally convinced Mr. Donatelli to let him go up against Elston Hubbard a welterweight who is so powerful he knocked out a heavyweight in one minute and twenty seconds the first time Alfred saw him. Before Alfred could do anything Hubbard’s first punch put Alfred down for a five count. He gave everything he had but Hubbard knocked him down two more times one for a six count and the other for eight. The bell range but didn’t hear it so everyone had to pull them off each other. The referee held up one arm and his manager held up the other but Hubbard broke loose and ran over towards Alfred. Oh no, is he going to hit him? No, he throws his arms around him, they hugged and cried because it was finally over, Hubbard gasped, “You tough, baby.” Mr. Epstein is Alfred’s boss; he owns a food mart and use to be a famous boxer called Lightning Lou Epp. Spoon is a teacher and takes care of Alfred before a fight. Henry has a cripple leg from polio, but he is a hard working young man. The story takes place in Harlem, New York in the late 1960’s or 70’s. the author uses a lot of hyperboles like, “an iron pipe rammed into the pit of his stomach, turning his legs to rubber.” The conflict of the book is how Alfred is going to overcome his fears and learn to be a contender. I felt like the book shows that when you try and don’t give up and when you don’t have any more in you left to give, give a little more. So never give up and you can at least say “I did my best.” I think a caring or an imaginative person will be very interested and stuck in the book. Other reviews of this book were also done by: Rusty, age 14 Ariel , age 14 Tess, age 14 Alisha, age 14 Peter , age 13 Jamiel, age 14 Peter , age 13 Halleigh, age 13 Jeanette, age 13 Alex, age 13 Jeanette, age 13 zack, age 14 Karla , age 14 Diana , age 14 Jeanette, age 13 Junior , age 15 Vanessa, age 15 Zack, age 14 amber, age 14 Perla, age 13 Caitlyn, age 13 Jesus, age 14 Joey, age 14 Jennifer, age 14 Joey, age 14 Jesus, age 14 chris, age 14 Priscilla, age 13 Cristal, age 14 Hector, age 13 Shy, age 13 Andy, age 13 Beatriz, age 14 Cameron, age 14 rodrick, age 14 jacquez, age 14 Anaise, age 14 Ashley, age 13 Delvon, age 14 randy, age 15 Armando, age 13 Angel, age 14 zack, age 15 cristian, age 13 ivy, age 13 Ivan, age 14 TOMAS, age 13 Gaby, age 14 Laura, age 13 luis, age 14 Jonathan , age 13 Hannah, age 14 Lucero, age 14 Haley , age 13 tabitha , age 14 Briana, age 14 christopher, age 14 Bobbie, age 14 oscar , age 59 jose, age 14 Daniel , age 14 Gabriel, age 14 juan, age 14 Carolina, age 14 Chris, age 14 Heather, age 14 jake, age 14 Brea, age 13 Dustin, age 13 Jessica, age 13 mary, age 14 Dustin, age 0 Jessica, age 0 Edwin, age 0 Christian, age 0 Samuel, age 0 Curtis, age 0 Elizabeth, age 0 Christian, age 14 Ashleigh, age 14 curtis, age 15 Elizabeth, age 14 Efrain, age 14 Carlos , age 14 Samuel, age 14 Kaley, age 13 Whitney, age 15 Kaley, age 14

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