Level Up

From Gene Luen Yang the National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature and author of American Born Chinese comes a magical realist coming-of-age tale by turns whimsical and deadly serious. Nothing is what it seems when life collides with video games. Dennis Ouyang has always struggled in the shadow of his parents expectations: Stay focused in high school do well in college go to medical school and become a gastroenterologist. But between his fathers death his academic burnout and his deep (and distracting) love of video games Dennis cant endure. Hes kicked out of college. And thats when things get . . . weird. Four adorablebut bossyangels straight out of a sappy greeting card appear and take charge of Denniss life. Hes back on track to become a gastroenterologist. But is he living the life he wants? Partnered with the deceptively simple cute art of 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. Gene Luen Yang is the National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature and is the author of American Born Chinese Boxers and Saints The Shadow Hero and Secret Coders. A New York Times Notable Childrens Book (Young Adult) for 2011 A YALSA Popular Paperback for Young Adults A YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens An Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Title A New York Times Notable Childrens Book Deliciously imaginative . . . uproariously funny . . . A book so good its hard not to fall back on reviewers clichs. The New York Times A manifesto for everyone whos ever wrestled with the expectations of their family their friends and their society (and who hasnt?) and its ultimately both humane and inspiring. Boing Boing A piquant multilayered coming-of-age fable for the wired generation. Kirkus Reviews