4th-6th grade – With the “Hei Si,” often the first move in the titular dance, the lion awakens in this coming-of-age comic. Wei has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his late father, who was a master of lion dancing. By chance, he joins the Southern Phoenix Lion Dance Team to once again take the lead. But his past misfortune and lingering resentment toward his former friend Hung make things difficult for this middle school student. With trust and training from his teammates, Wei gains the skills he needs to perform throughout the city during New Year’s festivities. Tse, a performer herself, passes on her passion and knowledge of this traditional Chinese dance. She emphasizes the teamwork and physical strength required of the dancers through dynamic movements, close-ups of the lions, and pans to the other characters. Tse also uses the chapter breaks to summarize the dance steps and highlight their cultural significance. The core of the plot comes from Wei’s development, and as he faces his interpersonal issues, he begins to trust his teammates more. While this leaves a good message for the reader, the key moments are not given enough space to truly portray how to deal with betrayal, bullying, and grief. The story ends on a cliffhanger; perhaps a sequel will provide a welcome resolution.