Dragon Hoops

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Dragon Hoops

Author: Gene Luen Yang

Publisher: First Second

Copyright date: 2020

ISBN: 978-1626720794

Reading interest level: Ages 14-up (Publishers Weekly)

Genre: Sports; Culturally diverse; Nonfiction

Format: Graphic Novel

Awards or Honors: 

• YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens; 2021
• YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers: 2021
• School Library Journal Best Nonfiction Books: 2020
• Notable Books for a Global Society: 2021
• Harvey Awards: Book of the Year
• ALA Notable Children's Books - Older Readers Category: 2021

Author Description: 

Gene Luen Yang's first major success in literature came in 2006 with the publication of American Born Chinese. The book was the "first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award, and the first to win the American Library Association's Printz Award" (Yang, n.d.). The book also won an Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens, ages 13-17. In 2013, Yang's graphic novel, Boxers & Saints was also nominated for a National Book Award. He also served as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature for 2016-17. He received the appointment in 2016, from "the Library of Congress, Every Child A Reader, and the Children's Book Council" (Yang, n.d.).

Plot Summary: 

Gene Luen Yang had found success as a graphic novelist but he was not sure if he should leave his teaching position at Bishop O'Dowd High school to pursue writing full time. He was struggling to find his next book idea, but became interested in writing about the school's basketball team after learning the story of their head coach, Lou Richie. 25 years earlier, Richie had fallen just short of a state championship as a player for O'Dowd. Now as the head coach, he was confident that his team had what it took to win it all. Yang goes on to write about the each of the players on the team, their backgrounds, and even gives readers a lesson in the history of basketball. We follow the team through their season, as they compete for the state championship. Yang follows them on their journey, while also grasping with the dilemma of what to do with his future. The team, guided by their unflappable coach, pursue their dreams, and Yang is inspired by their willingness to leap into the unknown.

Critical Evaluation:

Story was close to home. Live in the Bay Area, played against O'Dowd in High School. Can relate to their story, especially when one of the players said, that is nothing compared to what Castro Valley is like.

The book follows the team throughout their season, and Yang also interviews each player on the team and provides a profile for them. We learn about their motivations to play basketball, and about their personal backgrounds. The team has African American, Punjabi, and Chinese players so we learn how the different cultures affect their views of the game, and life in general.

I also found the chapters about the history of basketball to be very interesting. We learn about how, and why, Joe Naismith invented the game, and how Senda Berenson would change the rules so that it would appeal to women. Readers are learn about the racism that prevented athletes of color to play, and how it evolved to the game we know today. The history lessons were really interesting, and I believe it will hook sports fans, but will also appeal to fans of history.

Yang references being offered an opportunity to work on a Superman comic for DC, in this book. The illustrations in the book hint at Yang's preference for the superhero comics he read growing up. He writes "PAA...PAA" as the sound of the basketball bouncing, and "SWISH!" for when a shot is made. There are plenty of flourishes in the illustrations that make players look like superhero's when they make great plays on the court. The illustrations are in full color, and Yang uses a variety of box shapes, color hues, and there are scenes with large crowds, and simple charts and graphics that help explain the rules of basketball. It is an all around impressive graphic novel.

Creative Use for a Library Program:

March Madness is a popular basketball event, so I would hold a similar tournament in March to promote sports related books such as Dragon Hoops. I would also have a bracket tournament for young adult books published in the past year and a half. Voting would determine which books move to the next round, with the winner announced near the end of the month. I would have teens submit brackets at the beginning of the month, and correct brackets would be entered into a raffle to win a free book.

Potential Challenge Issues:

There are a few mentions of fights on the basketball court, and references to the racist history of professional basketball which some may find offensive. I would defend the title by stating that the historical accounts are factual, and the book is a work of nonfiction.

Speed-Round Table Talk:

Gene Luen Yang tells his daughter that she should not be scared of the danger in superhero stories, because the hero always wins. It is different in sports. A win is never guaranteed, but athletes and teams must summon the courage to play anyway. Dragon Hoops is a story about having the courage to step out into the unknown, and putting it all out there, in the pursuit of a dream. 

Reason for Inclusion:

I included this book because of the awards it has received and because of the impressive resume of Gene Luen Yang, who was written several critically acclaimed graphic novels.