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Reading age
8-12
Genre
Realistic fiction
Publisher
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date
August 13, 2024
Will Wei prove himself to be a great lion dancer?
Wei, a young boy, has always been benched in school teams, and he always feels left out as a result. One day, on his way home from school, he has an encounter that reawakens his old passion for lion dancing. So, he decides to rejoin a lion dancing practice to give it another shot. However, there is one problem: his old friend Hung turns out to be a rival and wants to avoid Wei in the practice. Soon, Wei and Hung compete to see who would be the better lion dancer, and through this, they start to learn more about themselves.
I was utterly engrossed in this book and couldn’t put it down. The illustrations were skillfully done with a charming, cartoony style. The book also provided me with a fascinating insight into the world of lion dancing and its significance to those who practice it as a group.
Wei’s character stood out for his unwavering determination and strong work ethic. I deeply admired his resilience, especially considering the challenges he faced. On the other hand, Hung’s character didn’t appeal to me much due to his lack of kindness.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an inspiring story about perseverance and the value of hard work.