Kwame Alexander author page

Kwame Alexander biography

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator and producer who writes for children and young people. His books include An American Story, The Door of No Return, Becoming Muhammad Ali, co-authored with James Patterson, Rebound, and The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. He conducts creative writing workshops in middle and high schools, often reaching more than five hundred students each month.

The Crossover, his novel in verse about basketball-playing twins Josh and Jordan, was published by HMH Books on 18 March 2014. The book won the Newbery Medal. Booked was published by Andersen Press in 2016 and is a verse novel about twelve-year-old Nick, football, family change, bullying, injury and a school librarian called Mr Mac.

Rebound was shortlisted for the UK Carnegie Medal. The Undefeated, a picture book illustrated by Kadir Nelson, was a National Book Award nominee, a Newbery Honor book and winner of the Caldecott Medal. Alexander was Executive Producer, Showrunner and an Emmy-winning writer of The Crossover television series, based on his Newbery Medal-winning novel; the series premiered on Disney+ in April 2023.

For teachers and parents discussing slavery with children, Alexander has connected The Door of No Return and Unspoken with classroom reading, community reading and honest conversation. He has described The Door of No Return as a book that balances tragedy with triumph, pain with hope, and woe with wonder.