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. Gene Luen Yang and illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces for his latest work Lunar New Year Love Story–a heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, and falling in love–available now.
Gene began drawing comics in the fifth grade. His rise to prominence as a cartoonist began in 1997, when 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, who 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 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, causing 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, the ALA’s award for the best young adult book published that year, and 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, which he does in all of his comics work. He and Holmes were selected by the editors of Foreign Policy as two of the Top 100 Leading Global Thinkers of 2015.
Gene was named the next National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress in early 2016. 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, that aims to excite young people about reading outside their comfort zones. In September 2016, he was awarded a fellowship with the MacArthur Foundation 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 the anthologies Up All Night, Secret Identities, Strange Tales, Nursery Rhyme Comics, Shattered, Open Mic, and Comic Squad: Recess. After speaking out against the lack of diversity in the casting of the Avatar: The Last Airbender movie, Gene was asked to write the Avatar: The Last Airbender comics, which he does 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.
Download Bio
 Trade Paperback
|
 First Second
Graphic novel superstars Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham join forces in this heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, and falling in love.
|
 Hardcover
|
First Second
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. The men’s varsity team, the Dragons, is having a phenomenal season that’s been decades in the making. 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. What he doesn’t know yet is that this season is not only going to change the Dragons’ lives, but his own life as well. |
 Paperback
|
Secret Coders: Paths & PortalsSecret Coders (Volume 2)
First Second
There's something lurking beneath the surface of Stately Academy—literally. In a secret underground classroom Hopper, Eni, and Josh discover that the campus was once home to the Bee School, an institute where teachers, students, and robots worked together to unravel the mysteries of coding. Hopper and her friends are eager to follow in this tradition and become top-rate coders. But why are Principal Dean and the rugby team suddenly so interested in their extracurricular activities? |
 Paperback
|
Secret CodersSecret Coders (Volume 1)
First Second
From graphic novel superstar (and high school computer programming teacher) Gene Luen Yang comes a wildly entertaining new series that combines logic puzzles and basic programming instruction with a page-turning mystery plot! |
 Paperback
|
First Second
Jin Wang starts at a new school where he's the only Chinese-American student. When a boy from Taiwan joins his class, Jin doesn't want to be associated with an FOB like him. Jin just wants to be an all-American boy, because he's in love with an all-American girl. Danny is an all-American boy: great at basketball, popular with the girls. But his obnoxious Chinese cousin Chin-Kee's annual visit is such a disaster that it ruins Danny's reputation at school, leaving him with no choice but to transfer somewhere he can start all over again. The Monkey King has lived for thousands of years and mastered the arts of kung fu and the heavenly disciplines. He's ready to join the ranks of the immortal gods in heaven. But there's no place in heaven for a monkey. Each of these characters cannot help himself alone, but how can they possibly help each other? They're going to have to find a way—if they want fix the disasters their lives have become. |
 Paperback
|
BoxersBoxers & Saints: Volume 1
First Second
Boxers & Saints is a groundbreaking graphic novel in two volumes. This innovative format presents two parallel tales about young people caught up on opposite sides of a violent rift. Saints tells Vibiana's story, and the companion volume, Boxers, tells the story of Little Bao, a young man who joins the Boxer Rebellion. American Born Chinese author Gene Luen Yang brings his trademark magical realism to the complexities of the Boxer Rebellion, and lays bare the universal foundations of extremism, rebellion, and faith. |
 Paperback
|
SaintsBoxers & Saints: Volume 2
First Second
Boxers & Saints is a groundbreaking graphic novel in two volumes. This innovative format presents two parallel tales about young people caught up on opposite sides of a violent rift. Saints tells Vibiana's story, and the companion volume, Boxers, tells the story of Little Bao, a young man who joins the Boxer Rebellion. American Born Chinese author Gene Luen Yang brings his trademark magical realism to the complexities of the Boxer Rebellion, and lays bare the universal foundations of extremism, rebellion, and faith. |
 Paperback
|
First Second
Partnered with the deceptively simple, cute art of newcomer Thien Pham, Gene Yang has returned to the subject he revolutionized with American Born Chinese. Whimsical and serious by turns, Level Up is a new look at the tale that Yang has made his own: coming of age as an Asian American. |
 Paperback
|
The Eternal SmileThree Stories
First Second
With vivid artwork and moving writing, Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim test the boundaries between fantasy and reality, exploring the ways that the world of the imagination can affect real life. |
 Paperback
|
First Second
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. |
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.
Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham’s interview with NPR’s “Here & Now.”
NPR.org reviews 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.
President Biden’s remarks on American Born Chinese.
The High-Risk Feat of Bringing ‘American Born Chinese’ to TV, Gene Yang for the New York Times
Learn about American Born Chinese’s Disney+ adaptation.
Take part in Gene Yang’s March Math Madness on Instagram.
Check out Comic Beats’ fantastic interview with Gene Yang on Dragon Hoops.
Dragon Hoops was featured and reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle.
American Born Chinese included on NBC News “5 Books to Read About the Chinese American Experience.”
Entertainment Weekly’s exclusive on Gene’s latest Dragon Hoops.
Learn more about the MacArthur Fellowship and Gene’s “genius” grant.
Check out The Washington Post‘s coverage of Gene’s MacArthur Fellowship award.
The New York Times covers Gene’s appointment as the Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
The Washington Post talks about Gene’s career and life.
Learn more about Gene in Bustle’s “9 Things You Need to Know” profile.
NBC News covers Gene’s graphic novels as “windows to life”
Read Gene’s powerful essay for NBC: “There Is No One Way to Be an American – Or a Superhero.”
Follow a conversation with Gene and Marvel writer Greg Pak about young Asian-American superheroes at Inverse.
Learn more about Gene on his personal website and follow him on Twitter.
- 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 Program
Praise for Lunar New Year Love Story: "A positive and beautiful work of art." —School Library Journal starred review
“A multigenerational, multilayered, multicultural masterpiece." —Booklist starred review
“Yang and Pham do a wonderful job of weaving fractured families and romantic yearning with fantasy elements that show emotional states and growth, with plenty of humor throughout." —Horn Book starred review
“A well-paced, well-balanced dual effort." —Publishers Weekly starred review
"Swoony . . . a sparkling romance anchored by a poignant coming-of-age story." —Kirkus Reviews starred review
"Touching and entertaining." —Shelf Awareness starred review
"“A fiercely empathetic instant classic.” —BCCB starred review
"Yang’s writing and Pham’s illustrations blend seamlessly." —Bookpage starred review
"Lunar New Year Love Story is a beautiful comic that shows that love takes many forms and goes hand-in-hand with laughter, tears, heartbreak, and forgiveness." —Screen Rant
Praise 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 Chronicle
Praise 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 Post