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As part of my ongoing journey through the Tales of Young Americans series, A Fist for Joe Louis and Me by Trinka Hakes Noble was the next title on my shelf. I’ve come to trust Trinka Hakes Noble for stories that are both well-told and historically interesting, and I began this one with high expectations. I wasn’t disappointed.
Set in 1938 Detroit during the Great Depression, the story follows young Gordy, whose childhood, like so many others in the city, is accented by admiration for hometown boxing hero, Joe Louis. Before Gordy’s father lost his job at the automobile plant, their weekly ritual was boxing lessons after work and then Friday Night Fights on the radio after dinner. But times have changed, and now his mother earns grocery money by taking in sewing from the Goldsteins, Jewish tailors who have fled Nazi Germany.
When Gordy meets Ira Goldstein, the two boys become fast friends because of a shared love of boxing. While his father has slipped into a depression seasoned with shame due to his loss of employment, Gordy and Ira’s friendship grows as they bond together against a schoolyard bully.
One night when Mr. Goldstein brings the sewing work to Gordy’s mother, he ventures into the kitchen to try to make a connection with Gordy’s father. Mr. Goldstein mentions his admiration for Joe Louis and the two men shake hands as friends. Together, they anticipate the 1938 Fight of the Century rematch between American Joe Louis and German Max Schmeling. The two men claim Louis as “their own” and they share a mutual desire to see the German challenger defeated.
This book is a moving celebration of friendship, resilience, and shared ideals. It opens a window into a complex moment in American history—the Depression era, the plight of Jewish refugees, and the symbolic weight of that legendary boxing match. Nicole Tadgell’s illustrations complement the text beautifully, adding warmth and emotional texture to a dynamic and interesting story.
I would gladly recommend this title to families exploring American history, particularly those seeking stories set in the Great Depression or dealing with Jewish immigrants. Like many books in this series, it doesn’t shy away from the harder truths of our past.
Parents and librarians should be aware that a school bully targets Ira for being an immigrant, and that the conflict is resolved with a schoolyard boxing match in which Gordy stands up for his friend. The confrontation is handled well and honestly.