Lion Dancers

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.)