Review by Booklist Review
Wei's late father was a competitive lion dancer, and he instilled in Wei a belief that working with a team is the best way to soar. Now that his father's gone, Wei is struggling to find that kind of team connection--that is, until he runs into a lion dancer after yet another basketball practice spent on the bench. After impulsively asking to join the lion dancer's team, Wei quickly becomes obsessed. Tse depicts lion dancers with captivating motion and energy, demonstrating how much athleticism is involved in the dances. Chapter-opening descriptions of key maneuvers nicely parallel Wei's emotional growth as his backstory is revealed: he was once a talented lion dancer, but a fallout with a friend, who's on his current team, led to strife, and now they both need to learn the value of teamwork. While Tse follows familiar sports-story plot points, the focus on lion dancing is refreshingly new and the smooth artwork nicely carries through the story's grounding emotional core. Middle-grade readers who are looking for offbeat sports stories will appreciate this.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Wei has always dreamed of following in his father's footsteps and becoming a champion lion dancer. With his dance partner and best friend Hung, the pair were primed to be the future of lion dance. But when Wei's dad dies in a car accident, Wei quits lion dancing and distances himself from Hung. Two years later, Wei is unhappy--he's stuck warming the bench for the Bird's Beak Middle School basketball team, keeps to himself, and feels uninspired. But when, on a whim, he joins a junior lion dance team for practice, his passion for the sport reignites, and he immediately impresses the group with his talent and dedication. The only problem is that Hung is also on the team, and he wants nothing to do with Wei. Across vibrantly saturated, digitally rendered panels, emotions run high in the rivals' battle to be the top lion dancer in this heartfelt graphic novel debut, which highlights the rise and fall of former friends as they learn the meaning of teamwork and forgiveness. Facts about lion dancing appear at the beginning of each chapter. An author's note concludes. Wei and Hung are of Chinese descent. Ages 8--12. Agent: Britt Siess, Britt Siess Creative Management. (Aug.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4--6--With the "hei si," which is often the first movement in the titular dance, the lion wakes for this coming-of-age graphic novel. Wei always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his late father, who was a lion dance champion. By chance, he joins the Southern Phoenix Lion Dance Team to take up the head once again. But his past misfortune and continuing grievance with one-time friend Hung make it difficult for this middle schooler. With faith and training from his teammates, Wei gains the skill needed to perform during the Lunar New Year festivities around the city. Tse, a performer herself, passes on her passion and knowledge of this traditional Chinese dance. She highlights the teamwork and the dancers' required physical strength using dynamic movements, close-ups in the lions, and pans to the other characters. Tse also uses the chapter breaks to summarize the dance steps and highlight their cultural significance. The core of the plot comes from Wei's growth, and as he faces his interpersonal problems, he begins to trust his teammates more. While this leaves readers with a good message, key beats aren't given enough space to truly depict how to handle betrayal, bullying, and grief. The story ends on a cliff-hanger; perhaps a sequel will provide welcome resolution. VERDICT This graphic novel leaps onto the stage as a great option for those who enjoy team sports manga.--Rachel Forbes
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Review by Horn Book Review
Friendship, self-confidence, and the physically demanding art of Chinese lion dancing are the focuses of this engaging debut graphic novel by Australian author Tse. Skinny, short, glasses-wearing Wei grew up idolizing his father, a champion lion dancer. After his dad's sudden death, Wei abruptly quits, only to return two years later after a chance encounter re-ignites the tween's passion. Wei initially struggles to keep up with the Southern Phoenix Junior Team. Worse still, he discovers that school bully (and his former dance partner) Hung is the star. The ex-friends constantly argue while preparing for several upcoming Lunar New Year performances. Tempers flare, and dancers are pushed to their limits, culminating in one difficult show that forces the students to work together and reconsider the team dynamics. Tse's action-packed, manga-style art shows how grueling yet exhilarating lion dancing can be while deftly explaining its technical and cultural aspects. Hard work, dedication, and collaboration are ultimately rewarded, and Tse even manages to humanize Hung's behavior. Hand this to readers who enjoy sports/martial arts-adjacent stories. Michelle LeeSeptember/October 2024 p.91 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Best friends turned rivals compete to become the top lion dancer in their team. Ever since his father's unexpected passing, middle schooler Wei has struggled to feel like he belongs. After a chance encounter leads to his joining a Chinese lion dance team, he finds a renewed love for the sport that he once enjoyed with his dad, whose team won an international championship. There's just one problem--Wei's former best friend, Hung, is also on the team, and he's determined to push Wei out. With Lunar New Year performances approaching, Wei and Hung must give it their all to prove that they're worthy of joining the competition team. But lion dance is a team sport: Can they settle their differences and make things work? Despite Wei and Hung's rivalry being a large focus of the story, their relationship isn't sufficiently developed, resulting in what feels like an abrupt conclusion. Where this graphic novel truly shines, however, is in its lively and dynamic depictions of lion dancing and the admirable courage, strength, and teamwork involved in its performance. Tse deftly integrates technical information about lion dancing into the story, making it accessible even for those who are new to the sport. The author's enthusiasm thrums through each page and is simply infectious. Wei is cued as being of Chinese descent; the supporting cast is multiethnic. A passionate and visually enticing love letter to the art of lion dancing. (creator's note) (Graphic fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
