"The Contender" is a young adult novel by Robert Lipsyte that was published in 1967. The book follows the story of Alfred Brooks, a young black teenager from Harlem who is struggling to find his place in the world. After dropping out of high school, Alfred begins training at a boxing gym run by a former fighter named Donatelli. Through his training, Alfred learns the value of hard work, discipline, and perseverance, and he gains a sense of purpose and identity. As Alfred prepares for his first amateur fight, he also faces challenges in his personal life, including pressure from his friends to join a gang and the emotional turmoil of a complicated relationship with a girl he cares about deeply. Throughout the book, Alfred grapples with issues of race, class, and identity, and he must decide what kind of person he wants to be. "The Contender" is known for its honest portrayal of the challenges facing young people growing up in urban environments, its exploration of themes such as masculinity, identity, and social justice, and its vividly drawn characters. It has become a classic of young adult literature and is widely taught in schools and universities.
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