Gene Luen Yang
Gene Luen Yang is the bestselling writer and artist behind American Born Chinese, Boxers & Saints, the Avatar: the Last Airbender comics, and many other iconic works. He and illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces for one of his latest works Lunar New Year Love Story–a heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, and falling in love–available now.
Early Career and Current Projects
Gene began drawing comics in the fifth grade. His rise to prominence as a cartoonist began in 1997. During that time, he received the Xeric grant for self-publishing for his Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks. After putting out several issues on his own, it was picked up by the independent comics publisher Slave Labor. They published it and Loyola Chin and the San Pelegran Order (later collected into a single volume as Animal Crackers). While working on these comics, Gene received his Master’s degree in education from Cal State East Bay. And, he began teaching at a San Francisco school. He is a founding member of the Bay Area’s Art Night Crew, a local group of cartoonists.
American Born Chinese, Gene’s first graphic novel, was the first-ever graphic novel to be named a finalist for the National Book Award. Furthermore, this caused a firestorm of controversy about whether graphic novels were eligible for the award, and whether they were “real books.” The book went on to win the Printz Award. It also won the ALA’s award for the best young adult book published that year. And, the book won an Eisner Award, one of the most prestigious honors in the comic book world. His follow-up solo graphic novel, Boxers & Saints, was also a National Book Award finalist and won the Printz Honor and the LA Times Book Prize for Young Readers. The book now has a Disney+ adaptation.
Currently, Gene is writing the graphic novel series Secret Coders, illustrated by Mike Holmes. This middle-grade series uses narrative to teach kids about computer programming. Gene is a strong proponent of using comics in education, and of representing diversity through the comics medium. The editors of Foreign Policy selected him and Holmes as two of the Top 100 Leading Global Thinkers of 2015.
Accolades and Partnerships
In early 2016, the Library of Congress named Gene the next National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. He is the first writer who works primarily in graphic novels to be named ambassador. During his two year tenure, Gene promoted Reading Without Walls, a platform he developed with the Children’s Book Council and his publisher, First Second. The platform aims to excite young people about reading outside their comfort zones. In September 2016, the MacArthur Foundation awarded Gene a fellowship and the accompanying prestigious “genius” grant.
A strong believer in collaboration, Gene has published books in partnership with esteemed cartoonists Derek Kirk Kim (The Eternal Smile, Duncan’s Kingdom), Thien Pham (Level Up), and Sonny Liew (The Shadow Hero). His work has also been included in anthologies. Anthologies include Up All Night, Secret Identities and Strange Tales. Additionally, his work has appeared in the anthologies Nursery Rhyme Comics, Shattered, Open Mic, and Comic Squad: Recess. Gene spoke out against the lack of diversity in the casting of the Avatar: The Last Airbender movie. The creators then asked him to write the Avatar: The Last Airbender comics.
He writes these comics to this day, as well as writing Superman (with John Romita Jr., Klaus Janson, and Howard Porter) for DC Comics. You can follow Gene on Twitter.
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Based on the global hit Clash of Clans and penned by superstar graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang, this fourth volume of a new action-packed series brings the characters from everyone's favorite mobile gaming sensation to life!
A nameless, villageless ronin Valkyrie with no memory of her past has been wandering from one village to the...Read More
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Hardback
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Based on the global hit Clash of Clans and penned by superstar graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang, this third volume of a new action-packed series brings the characters from everyone's favorite mobile gaming sensation to life!
Sonny the golem is tired of being stepped on by his teammates—literally! His Royale team, the JazzyPick...Read More
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Hardback
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Graphic novel superstars Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham join forces in this heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, and falling in love....Read More
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Hardback
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Based on the global hit Clash of Clans and penned by superstar graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang, this second volume of a new action-packed series brings the characters from everyone's favorite mobile gaming sensation to life!
Once upon a time, archers Jane and Angie were best friends who did everything together. That is, until, one...Read More
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Hardback
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Based on Clash of Clans and Clash Royale and penned by superstar graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang, this first volume of this action-packed eight-volume series brings the characters from everyone's favorite mobile gaming sensation to life!
SEE! The illustrated exploits of one young Hog Rider and his trusted companion in an unpredictable tal...Read More
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Trade Paperback
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Original Series Now Available on Disney+
Bonus Content: Includes an interview with author Gene Luen Yang and series creator Kelvin Yu
A tour-de-force by New York Times bestselling graphic novelist Gene Yang, American Born Chinese tells the story of three apparently unrelated characters: Jin Wang, who moves t...Read More
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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 sp...Read More
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Trade Paperback
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Read the complete Secret Coders saga from start to finish! This deluxe boxed set collects all six volumes of the action-packed graphic novel series by New York Times–bestselling author Gene Luen Yang
Plus includes a set of six collectable character cut-outs of your favorite Secret Coders characters!
Secret Code...Read More
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From graphic novel superstar (and former computer programming teacher) and New York Times bestselling author Gene Luen Yang, Secret Coders: Monsters & Modules is the sixth and final volume in a wildly entertaining series that combines logic puzzles and basic coding instruction with a page-turning mystery plot!
The Code...Read More
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From graphic novel superstar (and former computer programming teacher) and New York Times bestselling author Gene Luen Yang, Secret Coders: Potions & Parameters is the fifth volume in a wildly entertaining series that combines logic puzzles and basic coding instruction with a page-turning mystery plot!
Dr. One-Zero won't stop u...Read More
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Trade Paperback
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The coders are back in the fourth volume of the hit computer-programming series by New York Times–bestselling author Gene Luen Yang....Read More
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Trade Paperback
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The coders are back in the third volume of the exciting new computer-programming series by New York Times–bestselling author Gene Luen Yang....Read More
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Trade Paperback
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Hopper and Eni are back in the second volume of the exciting new computer-programming series by New York Times-bestselling author Gene Luen Yang....Read More
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Trade Paperback
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Bestselling, award-winning Gene Luen Yang is back with a groundbreaking graphic novel series about solving mysteries with computer programming!...Read More
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Trade Paperback
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A New York Times bestseller
In the comics boom of the 1940s, a legend was born: the Green Turtle. He solved crimes and fought injustice just like the other comics characters. But this mysterious masked crusader was hiding something more than your run-of-the-mill secret identity... The Green Turtle was the first Asian American super hero....Read More
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Trade Paperback
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The Boxers & Saints Boxed Set from Gene Luen Yang, one of the greatest comics storytellers alive, brings all his formidable talents to bear in this astonishing work.
In two volumes, Boxers & Saints tells two parallel stories. The first is of Little Bao, a Chinese peasant boy whose village is abused and plundered by ...Read More
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Trade Paperback
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Gene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. As the Library of Congress’s fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, he advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. His graphic novel American Born Chinese, a National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner,...Read More
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Trade Paperback
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Gene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. As the Library of Congress’s fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, he advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. His graphic novel American Born Chinese, a National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner,...Read More
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Trade Paperback
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From two masters of the graphic novel--Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese) and Derek Kirk Kim (Same Difference and Other Stories)--come three magical tales of fantastical adventure through the worlds we live in and the worlds we create.
The story of a prince who defeats his greatest enemy only to discover that maybe his w...Read More
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Gene Luen Yang is available for lectures, school visits, library talks, workshops, and conferences.
Dragon Hoops Virtual Sports Talk
Sports seasons across the country are being canceled, but the values taught by sports are more important than ever. Award-winning cartoonist Gene Luen Yang talks about how writing and drawing his latest graphic novel Dragon Hoops turned him into a sports fan.
Dragon Hoops tells the real-life story of the Bishop O’Dowd Dragons, a high school basketball team out of Oakland, California.
The Dragon Hoops Virtual Sports Talk includes:
- Highlight reel of the team
- Live presentation by Gene on the making of the book, the history of basketball, and why sports are important
- Pre-recorded pep talk from Coach Lou, the real-life Dragons coach, on how athletes can keep their spirits up during a pandemic
- Team-building strategies for on and off the court
- Live Q&A with Gene
How Comics Leads to Harmony
Through the lens of his personal journey with comics, Gene explains how we came to see a division between words and pictures and how comics teach us to bridge that gap.
We Need Diverse Books
From identifying trailblazers in the literary scene and comics world to outlining his own role in writing books, Gene emphasizes the importance of narratives that convey a multitude of cultural experiences.
STEM Education
Gene discusses the importance of STEM education and the artificial divisions put up between “left brain” and “right brain” activities.
The Asian American Experience
How does one create an identity in America while retaining one’s roots? Gene tells his story.
Comics in Education
The educational potential of comics has yet to be fully realized. While other media such as film, theater, and music have found their place within the American educational establishment, comics have not. Gene explores the history and strengths of comics in education.
Making Comics and Graphic Novels
Gene examines the balance between textual and visual narratives when creating comics and graphic novels.
“Library of Congress Anoints Graphic Novelist as Ambassador for Young People’s Literature”
“5 YA novels to read this summer”
“In ‘Lunar New Year Love Story,’ romance is a lion dance”
“‘Lunar New Year Love Story’ celebrates true love, honors immigrant struggles”
Lunar New Year Love Story received a starred review in Bookpage. This is the 8th starred review for this title, following a star from BCCB, Shelf Awareness, Publisher’s Weekly, Horn Book Magazine, School Library Journal, Booklist and Kirkus.
“The High-Risk Feat of Bringing ‘American Born Chinese’ to TV”
“Open a Portal to Watch the American Born Chinese Trailer”
“INTERVIEW: Gene Luen Yang talks DRAGON HOOPS and his first foray into memoir”
“Gene Yang’s latest work traces Oakland high school basketball sorrow and glory“
“5 books to read about the Chinese American experience 2019”
“First look: Gene Luen Yang gets personal in new graphic novel Dragon Hoops“
Learn more about the MacArthur Fellowship and Gene’s work as a MacArthur Fellow.
“Graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang wins ‘genius’ award”
“By day, he taught high school. Now he writes for Superman and the first Asian American superhero”
“9 Things You Should Know About Gene Luen Yang”
“Graphic Novelist Gene Luen Yang: Stories Are Mirrors, Windows to Life”
“There Is No One Way to Be an American – Or a Superhero.”
“Episode 8: They Call Us Gene Luen Yang and Greg Pak”
Learn more about Gene on his personal Geneyang and follow him on Twitter.
“Gene’s session today went great. Multiple people came to me right after and said it was their favorite to date. Gene is an engaging speaker, and was an inspiration to many of us today.”
— David Gong, PMG Worldwide“Having [Gene] kick off Asian Pacific Islander Desi American
“Gene’s session today went great. Multiple people came to me right after and said it was their favorite to date. Gene is an engaging speaker, and was an inspiration to many of us today.”
— David Gong, PMG WorldwideHeritage Month was amazing and all we could’ve hoped for. His generous spirit, grounded integrity, and wild talent truly shines through!”
— Jathan Anandham, Threat Intelligence Consultant, Recorded Future“The feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive. What I loved about the evening community event was that we had families from our First Program (elementary age), middle and high school students, alums and even just individual parents and Gene is accessible to ALL of those age groups in one presentation. He strikes such a beautiful balance between academic and fun—there was something for everyone!”
— Christine Payne, Director of Libraries and Information Services, The Dalton School“We are all a buzz with excitement of the success of our One School One Book event. We were lucky to have chosen such an engaging book, and equally as engaging author. [Gene] will be a tough act to follow.”
— Kathleen Jaccarino, Brockport High School“In a word…Fabulous! Gene’s visit exceeded our expectations! By our account, the schedule went off without a hitch…Students and staff are still floating from the substance of his presentations and we are all deeply gratified by his warmth and engagement. It was a pleasure!”
— Denita Banks-Sims, The Roeper School“Gene was phenomenal, and we were so fortunate to have him; so many attendees had something positive to say about his presentation, his books, and his inspiring words, that we couldn’t have asked for a better keynote. I am truly grateful to have worked with him, and with the Macmillan team, on this event, so thank you!”
— Donna Matturri, Pickerington Public Library“Wonderful! Gene is an amazing speaker. He’s brilliant and funny, thoughtful and personable.”
— Indiana University Bloomington“Every event went off without a hitch and our audiences were just THRILLED to hear from [Gene]. He was very gracious and generous and we so appreciate him being a part of our virtual programming this year.”
— Alex Handley, Coordinator, Calgary Distinguished Writers ProgramPraise for American Born Chinese:
“Gene Luen Yang has created that rare article: a youthful tale with something new to say about American youth.”
— New York Times Book Review“Like Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye and Laurence Yep’s Dragonwings, this novel explores the impact of the American dream on those outside the dominant culture in a finely wrought story that is an effective combination of humor and drama.”
— School Library Journal, Starred Review“. . . brilliantly written and designed, sophisticated and wise.”
— The Miami Herald“. . . one of the most powerful and entertaining works of literature to be published this year . . .”
— The San Francisco ChroniclePraise for Boxers & Saints:
“Read this, and come away shaking.”
— Newbery Honor-winning author Gary Schmidt“Masterful.”
— Dave Eggers“Remarkable.”
— The New York Times“At once humorous and heartbreaking.”
— The Los Angeles Times“Epic.”
— The Washington PostBook This Speaker
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