Book Resume

for The Contender by Robert Lipsyte

Professional book information and credentials for The Contender.

Grade Levels:*
Grades 5-12
Word Count:
36,119
Lexile Level:
760L
ATOS Reading Level:
4.5

Cultural Experience:
African American
Genre:
Sports
Year Published:
1969

5 Subject Headings

The following 5 subject headings were determined by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Book Industry Study Group (BISAC) to reveal themes from the content of this book (The Contender).

Professional Reviews

TeachingBooks does not have any professional reviews for this title currently available.

2 Book Awards & Distinctions

The Contender was recognized by committees of professional librarians and educators for the following book awards and distinctions.

Margaret A. Edwards Award, 1988-2025 (Titles), Winner, 2001

The Josette Frank Award, 1943-2025, Winner, 1967

Primary Source Statement on Creating The Contender

Robert Lipsyte on creating The Contender:

This primary source recording with Robert Lipsyte was created to provide readers insights directly from the book's creator into the backstory and making of this book.

Listen to this recording on TeachingBooks

Citation: Lipsyte, Robert. "Meet-the-Author Recording | The Contender." TeachingBooks, https://library.teachingbooks.net/bookResume/t/1508. Accessed 23 December, 2025.

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This Book Resume for The Contender is compiled from TeachingBooks, a library of professional resources about children's and young adult books. This page may be shared for educational purposes and must include copyright information. Reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers.

*Grade levels are determined by certified librarians utilizing editorial reviews and additional materials. Relevant age ranges vary depending on the learner, the setting, and the intended purpose of a book.