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If you loved
Books like The Contender
A gritty, sweat-soaked coming-of-age classic about finding the strength to stand up when the world tries to keep you down. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with The Contender.
- sweat-soaked
- tense
- grounded
- hopeful
- 01
Slam!
Walter Dean Myers
A rhythmic, grounded coming-of-age story that hits with the fast-paced energy of a streetball game and the heavy reality of growing up.
- 02
The Moves Make the Man
Bruce Brooks
A sensitive, grounded exploration of a fragile bond forged on the basketball court amidst the heavy weight of emotional turmoil.
- 03
The million dollar throw
Mike Lupica · 2009
A high-stakes sports story wrapped around a tender core of friendship and family resilience.
- 04
Berlin Boxing Club
Robert Sharenow
A tense, coming-of-age survival story where the physical grit of the boxing ring collides with the creeping dread of a society descending into hatred.
- 05
If I Grow Up
Todd Strasser
A gritty, unflinching look at the impossible choices forced upon a boy trying to survive systemic poverty and neighborhood violence.
- 06
Try your best
Robert L. McKissack
A warm and encouraging exploration of finding the courage to step onto the field, even when you doubt your own abilities.
- 07
When I was the greatest
Jason Reynolds
A gritty, grounded exploration of sibling loyalty and the sudden, sharp turn of a neighborhood night gone wrong.
- 08
Bad Boy
Walter Dean Myers
A candid, deeply felt reflection on hiding your true self to survive, and the quiet rebellion of loving books.
- 09
On The Come Up
Angie Thomas
A fierce, rhythmic anthem about the power of words and the fight to be heard on your own terms.
- 10
Harbor me
Jacqueline Woodson
A quiet, deeply moving sanctuary of a story about the healing power of simply listening to one another.
- 11
Crossing the wire
Will Hobbs
A harrowing, high-stakes survival journey through unforgiving landscapes driven by desperate hope and familial duty.
- 12
The Crossover
Kwame Alexander
A kinetic, rhythmic exploration of brotherhood, basketball, and the sudden, sharp pains of growing up.
