{"product_id":"the-contender-9780064470391","title":"The Contender","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe breakthrough modern sports novel \u003cem\u003eThe Contender\u003c\/em\u003e shows readers the true meaning of being a hero.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis acclaimed novel by celebrated sportswriter Robert Lipsyte, the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in YA fiction, is the story of a young boxer in Harlem who overcomes hardships and finds hope in the ring on his path to becoming a contender.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlfred Brooks is scared. He's a high-school dropout, and his grocery store job is leading nowhere. His best friend is sinking further and further into drug addiction. Some street kids are after him for something he didn't even do.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSo Alfred begins going to Donatelli's Gym, a boxing club in Harlem that has trained champions. There he learns it's the effort, not the win, that makes the boxer--that before you can be a champion, you have to be a contender.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e * ALA Notable Children's Book * New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLipsyte, Robert:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eRobert Lipsyte was an award-winning sportswriter for the \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e and the Emmy-winning host of the nightly public affairs show \u003cem\u003eThe Eleventh Hour\u003c\/em\u003e. He is the author of twelve acclaimed novels for young adults and is the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring his lifetime contribution in that genre. He lives in Manhattan and on Shelter Island, New York, with his wife, Lois, and his dog, Milo.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50614065201426,"sku":"9780064470391","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_f51d0635-dd22-4c05-919f-d82747ee3fe1.jpg?v=1732425575","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-contender-9780064470391","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}