Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang

 

Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese, has created a unique graphic novel; part memoir, part high school tournament basketball action, and part sport and religion history, with some experiences of racism and prejudice thrown in. The theme that ties it all together is right on the cover, "From Small Steps to Great Leaps."

Yang teaches math and computer science at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California. As a comic artist and graphic novel author, he has difficulty balancing family (he has four kids), teaching and comics. Just coming off his last graphic novel, Yang lacks inspiration for a new graphic novel. His wife assures him that life is full of new stories. While walking down the school hall, he overhears students talking about their excitement for the new basketball season at school. POP! Inspiration has been found! He will write a graphic novel chronicling the school's basketball season. The only issue is that Yang is a total nerd, has never been interested in sports, and has no knowledge of basketball. As uncomfortable as it was, he steps into the physical education building to talk to the school's basketball coach, Coach Lou. Welcomed by the coach, they talk for an hour, and Yang knows he has his story. From his conversation he learns that you need to take that step, the step to play, not knowing if you'll win or lose. This becomes the overarching thread throughout the book, not only in sport, but in life.

What follows is background on the coaches and players, giving their history and when they made that first "step". Interspersed is the history of basketball, and how racism gave way to integrating the sport. You'll get some religious and cultural history based on the many cultures and ethnicities of the students. Each of the games the school plays is accounted, with illustrations that create the action and excitement right up to the school's final game in the California State Championship. The story comes full circle with Yang, who learns a lot about people and basketball, but more about a decision he has to make, to take a step, not knowing if he'll win or lose. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4.5 (while non-fiction, I still wanted to rate this book)

Reading Level: 3.9 • Interest Level: 9-12 • AR Points: 3 • Lexile Level: HL550L • Dewey: 921 • Publisher: Roaring Brook Press • Pages: 445 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-1-626-72079-4 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding