Joe Louis, My Champion

By William Miller, Rodney Pate

During the mid-1930s, an African American boy who yearns to be a boxer learns the value of determination, perseverance, and his own natural abilities from the example of his hero, world champion prizefighter Joe Louis.

Description

It’s the spring of 1937, and anticipation for the heavyweight title fight between Joe Louis and James Braddock is at a fever pitch. Sammy can hardly contain his excitement. He knows his hero, Joe Louis, will soon be the boxing champion of the world.

Although he isn’t big and strong, Sammy wants to be a boxer, just like Joe Louis, whose fame and success are a source of great pride and hope for African Americans. Only after Sammy realizes the significance of Louis’s victories in the ring does he understand the true meaning of being a champion.

Joe Louis, My Champion is a heartfelt tribute to the first African American to be regarded as a hero by all Americans. Louis’s enduring legacy of determination and perseverance is sure to inspire readers to find and fulfill their dreams.

About the Creators

William Miller

William Miller is the award-winning author of numerous books for children for Lee & Low. Mr. Miller lives in York, Pennsylvania, where he teaches African American literature and creative writing at York College.

Rodney Pate

Rodney S. Pate has been illustrating books for children for more than twenty years, and his fine art work has been exhibited at the Society of Illustrators in New York City. Currently Pate also works as a graphic designer for a software company. He lives in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

Awards

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

Reviews

  • "In this stirring picture book, Joe Louis inspires a young African American boy named Sammy to reach for his dreams. It is 1937, and Louis is poised to be the heavyweight champion of the world. Sammy wants to be a boxer just like his hero, but to his utter frustration, he lacks the necessary physical prowess. After a pep talk from his friend, gentle words from his father, and careful introspection, the boy learns an important lesson. Though he may not be able to follow in the footsteps of Big Joe, he can strive to be the best at his own endeavors. Realistic oil paintings, many covering two pages, carry the story along. A glowing afterword highlights Louis's career and exemplary character. This offering will have particular appeal to fans of the Brown Bomber, but its upbeat message is universal."

    - School Library Journal
  • "One of the watershed moments in African-American history — the defeat of James Braddock at the hands of Joe Louis — is here given an earnest picture-book treatment. Despite his lack of athletic ability, Sammy wants desperately to be a great boxer, like his hero, getting boxing lessons from his friend Ernie in exchange for help with schoolwork. However hard he tries, though, Sammy just can't box, and his father comforts him, reminding him that he doesn't need to box; Joe Louis has shown him that he 'can be the champion at anything [he] want[s].' The high point of this offering is the big fight itself, everyone crowded around the radio in Mister Jake's general store, the imagined fight scenes played out in soft-edged sepia frames."

    - Kirkus Reviews

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781600604263
  • Publication Date Jun 01, 2004
  • Trim Size 10.5 × 8.5 × 1 in
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781584301615
  • Publication Date Jun 01, 2004
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Biographical / United States
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / People & Places / United States / African American
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Sports & Recreation / General
  • Themes African / African American / Black, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Civil Rights Movement, Discrimination, Dreams & Aspirations, Education, Fiction, Friendship, History & Civics, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Occupations, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Pride, Realistic Fiction, Sports
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 10
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 5
  • Guided Reading P
  • ATOS Book Level 4.4
  • DRA 38
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 5
  • Lexile Level 730
  • Reading Level 3
  • SRC 4
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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