What do you think?
Rate this book
Joe Louis: America's Fighter
Joe Louis was a fighter, a world champion boxer, a "punching machine." But more important, Joe Louis was a hero. At the beginning of his fighting career, he was a hero and a symbol of hope to African Americans. Later, Joe Louis became a hero to all Americans, uniting blacks and white boxing fans in their hatred of the Nazis and their desire for him to beat the German fighter Max Schmeling.
With powerful text and luminous illustrations, the award-winning, picture-book team of David A. Adler and Terry Widener has brought to life the true story of one determined individual who overcame racism and poverty . . . and inspired a nation.
Includes a time line highlighting key events in the boxer's life.
With powerful text and luminous illustrations, the award-winning, picture-book team of David A. Adler and Terry Widener has brought to life the true story of one determined individual who overcame racism and poverty . . . and inspired a nation.
Includes a time line highlighting key events in the boxer's life.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2005
29 people want to read
About the author
David A. Adler
400 books204 followersDavid Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.
Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.
Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.
As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.
(source: Wikipedia)
Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.
Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.
As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.
(source: Wikipedia)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 11, 2013
Joe Louis, a legendary man, deserves a legendary story; David A. Adler and Terry Widener give him just that. “Joe was born black and poor during a time of segregation and prejudice. That was a lot to overcome.” He was introduced to boxing at the age of 18 and knew that is where he belonged. During the Great Depression, he became a hero to many African-Americans who had lost their jobs and their hope. Because of the time period, many white boxers would not fight Joe, nor would they be his fans. That was until Joe Louis was scheduled to fight Max Schmeling, a former German world heavyweight champion. It was no longer black against white, but a united America against the hated Germans. Joe Louis’s story is beautifully illustrated and truly brings the text to life. While this book tells Joe’s story, it also tells a story about a country coming together for a greater cause. A Great non-fiction read, would love to use this in a Social Studies unit for the Great Depression, WWII, and Civil Rights.
Awards: NCCB
Awards: NCCB
April 18, 2018
This is a great book about a legend boxer Joe Louis, born in Alabama May 13th 1914. Mr. Louis was the 7th of 8 children, his father was a slave and was practically been worked to death he was taken to the Searcy State Hospital. In 1926 his mother remarried and they moved to Detroit Michigan. at the age of 12 Joe Louis attended an all black school, he had a job at a vegetable market and also delivered ice, during his free time from working and school Joe and his friends would play boxing. At the age of 17 Joe and a friend, Thurston McKinney went to Brewster East Dide gymnasium to see real boxers. Joe and his friends boxed and he knocked Thurston ou"It was like Power pumping through me" (Joe Louis).pg.4 In 1932 Louis begin fighting amepateur matches eventually quitting school. Joe first amateur fight he lost his mom wanted him to stop boxing but Joe Louis refused. At the age of 20 Louis had his first professional fight knocking Jack Kracken out in the first round. After his continuous winnings Joe Louis became noticed by other African Americans becoming fans he was known as the Punching Machine. White boxers refused to fight After American boxers,but in 1935 Joe Louis and Primo Carnera, a white boxer had arranged a date to fight, people were worried that riots and fights would break out between the fans but that did not happen. At the 6th round Joe Louis knocked Primo Carnera out winning the match there was celebrations of African Americans all over. Later that year Loui married Marva Trotter he also had a match that year against Max Baer who he knocked out as well. June 19th 1936 Joe Louis was knocked out by a German fighter Schmeling, Louis was torn from the lost but he continued to fight and kept winning. In 1938 Joe Louis rematches the Max Schmeling who he knocked out. Later Joe Louis joined the army.in 1950 Joe Louis completely retired. April 12th 1981 Joe Louis passed away leaving behind a great legacy.
The litary of this book was fair, due from racial incidents I would consider this a great book to read for middle schoolers.
I gave this book 5 stars because I like true stories and I never heard of Joe Louis so I'm happy that I chose this book to read because I've now learned about another great African American.
The litary of this book was fair, due from racial incidents I would consider this a great book to read for middle schoolers.
I gave this book 5 stars because I like true stories and I never heard of Joe Louis so I'm happy that I chose this book to read because I've now learned about another great African American.
April 21, 2025
Really informative and well written story about Joe Louis’ boxing career, from childhood through retirement. The storyline is well paced, transitions well, and the illustrations couple the plot well. It further illustrates how he helped people through many difficult times, including the depression and WWII. It is a bit long so may be hard for some little ones to get through it in one sitting, unless they have a good attention span.
March 15, 2018
I enjoyed this non fiction story on Joe Louis a boxing legend. I used this story in my Sports Text set that also covered determination which our hero displays. I also would like to show how society didn't embrace Joe at first because of his color but when he fought a foreign boxer color no longer mattered they were united by pride of country and that is a powerful thing to share with our youth.
December 7, 2019
I like how the author told the reader who Joe Louis was and how he learned how to fight. And how he was accepted by all. This story was really goof. And I would allow my students to read this.
Read
April 15, 2016Joe Luis: America’s Fighter by David A. Adler brings the inspiring story of Joe Louis to life for children. Joseph Louis Barrow was born a grandson of slaves and had a father who worked all day every day to provide for his family. This eventually became too much and we got sent to an institution. His mother remarried and their family moved to Detroit. This is where Joe’s life changed. His friend took him to a gym to see boxers. Because of this, Joe Louis fell in love with boxing. He became professional and during these years became a symbol for America.
David A. Adler does a wonderful job taking an eventful life and putting it into a book for children. Using simple language and detailed pictures, the story is fully told even in a picture book. Beginning at his birth, Joe’s whole life is told throughout the story. With his exciting career, children can be excited while reading this book. They can also relate to Joe because of dreams that they have. Joe is someone that these children can look up to and want to be like, just like America did. Through this book children can learn many different things. They can learn about history and boxing and even lessons like not giving up. David A. Adler has taken Joe Louis’s life and used it to teach children so many things through literature.
Not only does this book contain all these elements, it also contains the elements for a high quality biography. First, it tells the story of a real person using the facts. This isn’t a fictional story made up just to entertain children. Joe Luis actually existed and did all these amazing things in our country’s history. In order to tell this story effectively, Adler starts at the beginning and tells events in chronological order. This helps readers to logically think through the events and understand what went on. Using dates throughout the story also helps with this. Not only does this story tell the life of Joe Luis but it also tells the story of America at that time. Children can learn about the history of the country throughout this book. Joe Luis was an important part of that history. He became the symbol of America’s strength. He was their fighter. Without having been there, the children that read this story can still feel some of the feelings of that time through this story. David A. Adler has masterfully taken the life of Joe Luis and put it into a book. Starting with a Highlight Timeline, he organizes it in such a way that children can take away so much from Joe Luis’s life. Joe Luis: America’s Fighter is an incredible biography that can teach children so many different lessons.
David A. Adler does a wonderful job taking an eventful life and putting it into a book for children. Using simple language and detailed pictures, the story is fully told even in a picture book. Beginning at his birth, Joe’s whole life is told throughout the story. With his exciting career, children can be excited while reading this book. They can also relate to Joe because of dreams that they have. Joe is someone that these children can look up to and want to be like, just like America did. Through this book children can learn many different things. They can learn about history and boxing and even lessons like not giving up. David A. Adler has taken Joe Louis’s life and used it to teach children so many things through literature.
Not only does this book contain all these elements, it also contains the elements for a high quality biography. First, it tells the story of a real person using the facts. This isn’t a fictional story made up just to entertain children. Joe Luis actually existed and did all these amazing things in our country’s history. In order to tell this story effectively, Adler starts at the beginning and tells events in chronological order. This helps readers to logically think through the events and understand what went on. Using dates throughout the story also helps with this. Not only does this story tell the life of Joe Luis but it also tells the story of America at that time. Children can learn about the history of the country throughout this book. Joe Luis was an important part of that history. He became the symbol of America’s strength. He was their fighter. Without having been there, the children that read this story can still feel some of the feelings of that time through this story. David A. Adler has masterfully taken the life of Joe Luis and put it into a book. Starting with a Highlight Timeline, he organizes it in such a way that children can take away so much from Joe Luis’s life. Joe Luis: America’s Fighter is an incredible biography that can teach children so many different lessons.
July 18, 2012
Students can not only read about Ali but Jack Johnson and Joe Louis.
The Brown Bomber, Joseph Louis Barrow, overcame a life of poverty, to be the World Heavyweight Champion of boxing. He is known as Joe Louis because at his first fight, his handwriting on the card was so large that he didn't have room to write his last name. Then on he was known as Joe Louis! The picture book covers Louis' career from his fame among black spectators but also the disdain from whites in his early years, to his rise in stature as an all-American hero when he beat Max Schmeling, the German boxer promoted by Hitler. Joe Louis served in the Army in World War II and eventually became friends with Schmeling. Many fight fans say that Joe Louis was the greatest heavyweight champion ever.
Great read aloud for secondary students for African American History, boxing class, World War II, and Veterans Day.
The Brown Bomber, Joseph Louis Barrow, overcame a life of poverty, to be the World Heavyweight Champion of boxing. He is known as Joe Louis because at his first fight, his handwriting on the card was so large that he didn't have room to write his last name. Then on he was known as Joe Louis! The picture book covers Louis' career from his fame among black spectators but also the disdain from whites in his early years, to his rise in stature as an all-American hero when he beat Max Schmeling, the German boxer promoted by Hitler. Joe Louis served in the Army in World War II and eventually became friends with Schmeling. Many fight fans say that Joe Louis was the greatest heavyweight champion ever.
Great read aloud for secondary students for African American History, boxing class, World War II, and Veterans Day.
December 7, 2013
This was really interesting book. Even someone who was not interested in boxing would enjoy reading it.This story shows that because of Joe Louis did not give up on his dream of becoming a boxer he was able to reach his dream. A closer relationship between the black and white races also came about due to Joe's boxing skills. I also allows children to understand that in different areas of the country such as Alabama (the south) that black people had less chance for equality compared to other ares in the country. This book is truly a great history lesson for all children but especially blacks. It also teaches a lesson that if you have a dream if you work hard and believe in yourself there is no goal that cannot be reached.
April 11, 2016
This book is about the life of Joe Louis Marrow, a great American boxer who is considered a hero to many. The book tells of his humble beginnings, how he began boxing, and his successes and failures in his career. This book also contains stories of his most pivotal fights that led him to not only become a hero for African Americans in a time where they weren't given equal opportunity, but he also united the whites and the blacks as they cheered for Joe Louis on his road to becoming world champion.
This is a very interesting book that is easy to read and very informative. I loved Joe Louis' story, and what a difference he made. This would be good to have in my classroom as a African American's historical biography that also shows what can happen when you persevere.
This is a very interesting book that is easy to read and very informative. I loved Joe Louis' story, and what a difference he made. This would be good to have in my classroom as a African American's historical biography that also shows what can happen when you persevere.
August 30, 2013
The Mighty Miss Malone, my new recent fav, mentions the Louis-Schmeling fight of '36 quite a bit so I thought I'd learn more. In Joe Louis: America's Fighter, I would have preferred more about him getting through his rough childhood than right jab this left hook that. It feels as if this isn't the first David Adler picture book biography I've read that ends abruptly. I'm always like, oh here's a timeline, guess it's over. Fun fact: my husband's great uncle Mickey trained with Joe Louis!
October 13, 2016
Awesome read. I used to box at a local gym, this story motivates me. Joe Louis grew up in a difficult time, especially for African Americans. With his skill and Witt he helped bring white and black together. The pictures are cool and give detail to the reader(colored pencils). I liked how Joe got his name, it is a name to remember in boxing and he is a true hero.
December 29, 2010
Sophia asked us to read this to her THREE TIMES on Sunday; she loves the story of Joe Louis now. It's nicely done, though it does require some explaining (e.g., What is Nazi Germany? Who is Hitler? Why didn't any white boxers fight him?) . . . all in all a good experience, though.
March 24, 2013
it had a lot of pictures and it was a great story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews