Tuesday, April 10, 2012

A Nation's Hope: the story of boxing legend Joe Louis by Matt A. de la Pena


Grades: 3-6

Committee annotation: When an African American boxer has a 1938 bout with Adolph Hitler's "Master Race" German heavyweight, it becomes more than just a boxing match: the honor of the entire racially divided United States is at stake!

Author website: http://www.mattdelapena.com/

51 comments:

  1. The book was about Joe Louis the boxer. My favorite character was Joe because he has very good boxing skills. I liked the rivalry between Joe and the German boxer. You should read this book because it shows how white people can't always win and that black people are equal to white people.

    Zackary N. gr. 3
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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    1. I feel the same way sincerly, metting street

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  2. This is a very interesting book. Well like the book says ther was a time where people of different color didn't get along and the Germans were trying to eliminate jewish people. If you were Joe would you have given up after you lost to the German once?

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  3. I like how this book involves racism. I enjoy stories like that. I've read others, such as The Great Gilly Hopkins, though that is fiction. Do you consider boxing now that you've read this?

    -PartyCannons

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  4. I liked that Joe Louis was fighting for America it reminded me of when I watched Boxing with my dad and if you liked the book what part did you like

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  5. I like how this book was worded. Also the rivalry between Joe and the German reminds of the rivalry between Marquez and Pacquiao. My favorite part in this book is when Joe knocked out the German during the second fight.

    What was your favorite part?



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  6. I liked that it was a poem instead of a story

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  7. Iliked that that Joe didn't care what anybody else thought.
    Their rivalry is like the Red Soxs and the Yankees.
    Is Joe Louis still alive?



    Comment By: dmoneyjr1122

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    1. dmoneyjr1122 Joe Louis died in 1981 because of a heart attack.



      orangegiraffe25

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  9. I like how everyone in Harlem filled the the steet's dancing. My dad use to be a boxer when he was in high school he was the champion. What was your favorite part?

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  10. I liked how Joe didn't give up and he won the batle.When I want to do something I never give up like Joe.Do you give up or do you try and try. from : Horse 101

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    1. Horse 101 I never give up I always keep trying and trying until I get it right because I am not the type of person that gives up once you fail. I am the type of person that keeps trying and trying until I get it right.

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  11. I like how Joe didn't give up and fought with the german. When I like something I don't give up.Do you like the book too?

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  12. This book reminded me when my friend and i watched boxing. do you think Joe is a good boxer

    party bro

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  13. Is joe louis always a good sport to white poeple

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  14. It was a great story about a black famous boxer.
    I learned boxing over the summer.
    I wonder if Joe Louis is still alive?

    tacoburgerlovercheesefat5

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  15. I liked this because it was inspiring. He was a hero because he was an african american at the time and african americans were treated poorly. I wonder what his boxing record is?

    Your Mama

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  16. the words were very exciting amd not dull at all. i don't like boxing, but i like this book. is Joe Louis still alive?

    from,

    BMX SWAGGA 69

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  17. I love how the story started from when Joe Louis was a boy to when he was an adult. Joe louis is like Rocky Balboa. Did anyone ever make a movie about him beacause there is a movie about Rocky Balboa. I was also wondering if Joe Louis is still alive. Please reply back.


    from: pigtobacon

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  18. I love this book
    I completely agree whith black peoples rights
    I joe louis still alive?


    swaggboyyy

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    1. No. Joe Louis died on April 12 1981 at age 66. :'(
      Although I am white, I agree with black people's rights too. I hate racism, it's one of the many things on my list of things I hate. I'm such a pessimist. Anyway, did you learn anything about boxing from this story?

      -PartyCannons

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    2. i agree with PartyCannons racism is really stupid


      Party bro

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  19. I like how Joe didn't give up would you.

    Wildthing 12

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  20. I really liked the book!

    Sometimes when the boxing channel comes on, I watch it. Not all the time though.

    Do you know someone who boxes?

    Glamgirl337

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  21. I LIKE WHEN JOE LOUIS WON AGANIST THE GERMAN,MY CONNECTION IS THAT MY FREIND BOXES.I HAVE A QUESTION,WAS JOE LOIUS THE BEST FIGHTER IN THE WORLD.

    P 510893

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  22. I like this story kind of grabs me. the story kind of relates to what I do:wrestling.Do you like this story

    sincerly
    cupcakes337

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  23. I like when Joe Louis won against the Germen,My connection is that my Brother does boxing.Also i wonder if Joe Louis is still alive,and if he his how old is he i wonder that to, and i am glad that Joe Louis o e against the Germen and i am also glad that they became almost like a family and chatted with each
    other.

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  24. I like at the end of the story when Joe Louis beat the German and blackman hugged whiteman and color did not matter.Sometimes I watch boxing at my house,and sometimes with my family and cousins at there house my house and my grandma's house too.Is Joe Louis still alive that would be awesome

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  25. I love it how the author talks about his. I also read a book about him. Has anyone else heard of Joe Louis

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  26. I enjoyed this book very much. I love how one man can make such a change. I've read many other books about WWII. I think war books are the best, how about you guys?

    JuicyLama

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  27. I liked the way Joe didn't give up when he lost the first fight and he got revenge.I like boxing, I would have wanted Joe Louis to win.How old was Joe Louis when he beat the German boxer?

    Crazy Winner

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  28. I like how it ended and how he won, he must have felt great. I have met a boxer before. Why did the referee shoo Joe Louis away??

    unicorns123

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  29. It was a good book.I liked how they put details on every page.I enjoy watching and reading about boxing.I wonder what year this book took place?

    pink unicorn

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  30. I love ho people in the story at first wee standing separate then at the end there hugging!

    i have seen a movie like this it was great!

    Does anybody else like this book?

    cheerforlife12

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  31. I loved this book because it brought diferent races together. I have read about that time period before. this book was
    great for my education, what about yours?

    dark blade

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  32. Joe Louis died of a heart attack in 1981

    dmoneyjr1122

    What was the German's actual name?

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  33. I liked how they went to the backround information then back to the fight. Iliked the book because Ilike ufc fighting in real life. I enjoyed the book how about you?

    ninja cat

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  34. I like how it took place in real life .In a book about
    Dr Martin Luther King blacks and white's did not get along.
    What was your favorite part.


    sweets awesome

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  35. I like that this book is a true story. Racism is not as bad today as it was before. What was your favorite part?


    heroicpickle10

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  36. I like when no matter how the German boxer got up,he is punched down.Joe Louis is almost like Floud Mayweather today.Will you read it too?Give your opnions. By Codename:Section

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  37. This book was very interesting! When I read it, it reminds me of Martin Luther King JR. What was your favorite part of the book?

    ChuckNorrisJR

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  38. This book was about Joe Louis, a famous boxer. My favorite part was when he won a boxing match. You should read this book because it is based on a true story.

    Richard M. gr. 3
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  39. I liked how Joe Louis never gave up. If we want to achieve something we have to believe in ourselves. What was your favorite part?

    PurplePanda

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    1. purple panda,

      My favorite part was when Joe Louis said he always helps his opponent up after a match!!!!!!


      coolred003

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  40. I really enjoyed this story
    I have been to a boxing match
    Is joe still performing or is he retired


    BaconBoss247

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  41. I think Joe never gives up. He is a hero for Harlem. My connection is sometimes I play boxing on the Wii Sports. When was he born?

    SunTanner101

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  42. it was a realy good book!I didnt know that happend!do you think it was intristing too?

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  43. I loved how Louis was a good sport helping up opponents instead of bragging. I think that another rivalry is between the Red Sox and the Yankees. Who else do you know who has a rivalry?

    ALAPer2682

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  44. I am happy this book brought up the subject of racism, because it showed that every color and kind can accomplish things as well as others.

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  45. I liked that Joe Louis was fighting even though he got pushed down to the ground and he still got back up and fought he won at the end of the book.

    Morgan
    Meeting Street
    Grade 4

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