this_momma_is_booked's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
I loved the way Yang structured this book. So often when books go back and forth in time, it feels choppy and it can be hard to follow the main story. In this case, Yang made sure to only go back when the main story was harking to something in the past. I didn't really know what to expect when I picked up this book, but I found myself unable to put it down. It felt like watching one of those feel-good sports movies where the underdogs win at the end of the movie and the sweeping soundtrack riles up all your emotions. I also appreciated the hard conversations within regarding racism and bigotry - while I wanted Yang to delve just a little deeper into these topics, I understand that is not the story he was telling.
My friends did warn me this was a "chonky" graphic novel and they were absolutely right. But it was so worth the read!
My friends did warn me this was a "chonky" graphic novel and they were absolutely right. But it was so worth the read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
amiegold's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
calamitywindpetal's review
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia, Xenophobia, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
kmclights's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Dragon Hoops is a very informative and enjoyable graphic novel about a coach and his team on their journey to a high school basketball state championship. It is also the author’s journey from someone who hated sports from childhood to someone who enjoys watching and following basketball. The graphic novel format makes for quick reading, but tackles some serious issues like racism, prejudice, and historic inappropriate relationships. Some chapters are dedicated to the back stories of the coaches and players where I learned some surprising things about basketball and other chapters had the dramatic and emotional ups and downs of the games.
If you are a basketball fan then you will really enjoy this, but even if you are not then you are will still enjoy the story and the characters. The author does a really good job of mixing character study with the drama of a memorable season.
If you are a basketball fan then you will really enjoy this, but even if you are not then you are will still enjoy the story and the characters. The author does a really good job of mixing character study with the drama of a memorable season.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Adult/minor relationship
The former coach of the team being covered was suspended from the school in 2003 for an inappropriate relationship that he had had some thirty years prior. Although never convicted of anything, he never coached again and the author shows his own struggle with how to include this character in the story.basketballm43's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
audreylee's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.25
An inspirational look at high school basketball through the eyes of a writer/teacher with no love for the sport. "Characters" are introduced and different historical perspectives are pulled in to explain origin stories and the progression of basketball through the years. Very interesting and entertaining.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Sexual assault
serendipitysbooks's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Dragon Hoops is a graphic novel written by a high school maths teacher and part-time comic writer. Searching for inspiration for his next book he decides to focus on his school basketball team’s upcoming season, an interesting choice given he doesn’t otherwise have much of an interest in sport. But the book ends up encompassing much more than that. We also get the history of basketball, a history of the team and an exploration of the backgrounds of the players and coaching staff, which then leads into the impact of racial and religious discrimination. An important ongoing thread is the life lessons the players learn through playing.
What caught my attention with this book was that way the author included himself and his writing process into the story. Things like his unease with not knowing how the story would pan out - would the team finally win the state championship or would they be disappointed yet again ? - how he balances teaching, writing comic books and being a husband and father, and if and how to include mention of a former coach who had been charged with child molestation. It makes this more than just a sports book.
Another aspect that caught my attention was the recurring use of the step motif to signify major changes for players, coaches or the team as a whole. It was interesting to see the different contexts this came up and could lead to really fruitful discussions.
This is not my typical go-to book but I saw @jen.loves.books post a review which caught my eye, and it proved to be an ideal change of pace.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
bookiecharm's review
adventurous
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
readalongwithnat's review
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Wow. I have so many feelings and so few words.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault