The works listed will allow your students to further explore the theme of Effort and Struggle Build Character and other themes related to The Contender:


Fiction
Bonham, Frank. Durango Street. Dutton, 1965. This novel depicts the world of teenage gangs. (average)

Childress, Alice. A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich. Avon, 1973. In this novel set in Harlem, a 13-year-old struggles to overcome a heroin addiction. (average)

Myers, Walter Dean. Hoops. Delacorte Press, 1981. A teenaged basketball player from Harlem has a chance to impress college scouts if he doesn't ruin the opportunity. (average)


Nonfiction
Gunton, Sharon R., Ed. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Gale Research, 1982. A collection of excerpts from critical reviews of Lipsyte's works.

Olendorf, Donna, ed. Something About the Author. Gale Research, 1992. A biographical sketch of Robert Lipsyte.

Senick, Gerard J., ed. Children's Literature Review. Gale Research, 1991. A collection of excerpts from critical reviews of Lipsyte's works as well as a commentary by the author about sports.