A great American sport and Native American history come together in this true story for middle grade readers about how Jim Thorpe and Pop Warner created the legendary Carlisle Indians football team, from acclaimed, award-winning and bestselling author Steve Sheinkin. "Sheinkin has made a career of finding extraordinary stories in American history." -- The New York Times Book Review Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team is an astonishing underdog sports story--and more. It's an unflinching look at the U.S. government's violent persecution of Native Americans and the school that was designed to erase Indian cultures. Expertly told by three-time National Book Award finalist Steve Sheinkin, it's the story of a group of young men who came together at that school, the overwhelming obstacles they faced both on and off the field, and their absolute refusal to accept defeat. Jim Thorpe: Super athlete, Olympic gold medalist, Native American Pop Warner: Indomitable coach, football mastermind, Ivy League grad Before these men became legends, they met in 1907 at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania, where they forged one of the winningest teams in American football history.
Called "the team that invented football," they took on the best opponents of their day, defeating much more privileged schools such as Harvard and the Army in a series of breathtakingly close calls, genius plays, and bone-crushing hard work. This thoroughly-researched and documented book can be worked into multiple aspects of the common core curriculum. A 2017 Horn Book-Boston Globe Nonfiction Honor Book "Along with Thorpe's fascinating personal story, Sheinkin offers a thought-provoking narrative about the evolution of football and the development of boarding schools such as the Carlisle Indian School." -- The Washington Post "A thoroughly engrossing and extensively researched examination of football's first 'all-American.' Highly recommended for U.S. history collections." -- School Library Journal , starred review "A model of research and documentation as well as of stylish writing that tells an always absorbing story.
" -- Booklist , starred review "A gifted storyteller who never forgets the story in history. He is unflinchingly honest in pointing out the racism in white American culture at large and in football culture . Superb nonfiction that will entertain as it informs." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review "Brief, action-packed chapters evince Sheinkin's consistently multilayered approach, as he connects various subplots . and uses genuine cliffhangers for a propulsive reading experience." -- Horn Book , starred review "With contagious excitement, Sheinkin enthralls . [and] compels readers to learn, admire and bear witness to the 'world's greatest athlete.'" -- Shelf Awareness , starred review "A new work of nonfiction as riveting as any historical novel you are likely to read this year.
" -- Book Page.