Parents' Guide to

Dragon Hoops

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Cartoonist tracks winning season in riveting graphic novel.

Book Gene Luen Yang Graphic Novel 2020
Dragon Hoops Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Helen P.
Helen P. Parent
October 20, 2022
age 16+

Swearing, politically charged, molestation, explains instances of racial discrimination

I did not enjoy sifting through all the language and racial messaging to get to the one important message in this book. I can appreciate the book outlined historical events but did so from a slanted and aggressive point of view. Every page has multiple swear words, discusses possible misconduct from a coach, criticism of people because of their race, etc. I loved the messaging about perseverance -but there are better book choices out there for a kid that can give you the same inspiration. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.

This title has:

Too much swearing
Trezspritzs
Trezspritzs Parent of 12, 14, 16 and 18-year-old
September 15, 2022
age 12+

Except for the Cussing...

It was an interesting book that hit on A LOT of topics. They really could have left the cuss words out to make it a strange, but interesting, good book.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much swearing
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

At the start of DRAGON HOOPS, computer science teacher Gene Yang realizes he knows very little about the people in the physical education department. Because his students are excited about the upcoming basketball season, Yang commits to following the Dragons all the way to the state championships and chronicling their efforts in comics. Along the way, Yang learns about the history of the game, the diverse lives of the players, and the meaning of teamwork.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (1):

Nonfiction sports stories are fairly unusual in comics, but this epic tale of sportsmanship shows that the medium is perfectly suited to the subject. In Dragon Hoops, cartoonist Gene Yang pulls out all the stops to celebrate the Bishop O'Dowd High School basketball team, mixing reportage and history to captivating effect. He captures the energy on the court and delves into the psychology of the team's players. Sure to please sports fans, the book also has plenty of relevance for those who don't follow the games. Dragon Hoops is a winner all around!

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Dragon Hoops emphasizes the benefits of athletics in education. Why do schools have sports teams? How do students benefit from them?

  • What makes a "winner"? What character traits are necessary to excel in a sport or creative endeavor?

  • Why do people regret missed opportunities? How can you stay open to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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