LION DANCERS

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.