Dragon Hoops, written and illustrated by Gene Luen Yang. First Second, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2020. $26.99 ages 14 and up

"The player-coach relationship is really 

special. I'm not sure there's an equivalent

for comic book nerds.

When I was a kid, most of my heroes

were fictional. But I guess that has its 

advantages, too. You can count on 

Superman to always be Superman, 

you know." 

I knew Gene Luen Yang's graphic work from the exceptional Boxers and Saints (2006). Because of my interest in sports and admiration for his work, I was pretty sure that I was going to enjoy this new book about his high school's varsity men's basketball team. Not a team he played for; he was a teacher at the school when he decided to share the team's story. More recognized for his aversion to sports, he decided he wanted to learn more about basketball and the team, that in 2015, had long been recognized for 'just missing' a win at the state championship. This was to be their year: they were on the brink of finally making it a winning season. While he had a lot on his plate - writing, teaching, raising a family - Mr. Yang decided it was time to follow the team and see what they could do. 

It's a great story to tell, and the graphic format is perfect for telling it. The team was struggling in their ninth bid to win a championship, and the artwork adds to the drama of every game that season, He effectively uses this nonfiction format to show the players in action, and at rest. Play-by-play accounts of their games, the lives of the players, and basketball itself play an important role. The very close look at the recognition of their players in world communities are both informative and engaging.   

He clearly chronicles the entire 2015 season, as well as providing a history of the game itself. While doing so, he shows his audience how his own life changed, taking him from reluctant journalist to avid fan. Interspersed through the telling, he adds family notes and we come to understand how the writing is affecting his own life as he pens this brilliant and personal story. Sports fans will be delighted! 

Back matter has Mr. Yang explaining his art and some of the choices he made for the book chapter-by-chapter. It makes for an even more appealing read, as readers can go back and have a closer look. He includes a useful bibliography as well.