In his latest graphic novel, Dragon Hoops, New York Times bestselling author Gene Luen Yang turns the spotlight on his life, his family, and the high school where he teaches.
Gene understands stories―comic book stories, in particular. Big action. Bigger thrills. And the hero always wins. But Gene doesn’t get sports. As a kid, his friends called him “Stick” and every basketball game he played ended in pain. He lost interest in basketball long ago, but at the high school where he now teaches, it's all anyone can talk about. The men’s varsity team, the Dragons, is having a phenomenal season that’s been decades in the making. Each victory brings them closer to their ultimate goal: the California State Championships. Once Gene gets to know these young all-stars, he realizes that their story is just as thrilling as anything he’s seen on a comic book page. He knows he has to follow this epic to its end. What he doesn’t know yet is that this season is not only going to change the Dragons’s lives, but his own life as well. |
Activity 1:
Choose an event that happened at your school. Try telling the story of the event in graphic novel format. Did it seem a good way to convey the story?
Activity 2:
Look up information on Nebraska's state basketball competitions. If your school's team has ever been included, note the date(s) and their final ranking. Who did they play against? This Nebraska School Activities website might help you.
Activity 3:
Watch this video with Gene Luen Yang and follow along with him as he draws Coach Lou. You won't have the computer program he uses, but you can draw just as good on your own. Send me your drawing, with imperfections and everything. I'd recommend you using a pencil!! Remember, you can pause the video as you are drawing to catch up (that's what I had to do!!) Make sure you include your name and school.
Choose an event that happened at your school. Try telling the story of the event in graphic novel format. Did it seem a good way to convey the story?
Activity 2:
Look up information on Nebraska's state basketball competitions. If your school's team has ever been included, note the date(s) and their final ranking. Who did they play against? This Nebraska School Activities website might help you.
Activity 3:
Watch this video with Gene Luen Yang and follow along with him as he draws Coach Lou. You won't have the computer program he uses, but you can draw just as good on your own. Send me your drawing, with imperfections and everything. I'd recommend you using a pencil!! Remember, you can pause the video as you are drawing to catch up (that's what I had to do!!) Make sure you include your name and school.