Young Grandmaster Choi II

Young Grandmaster Choi II graphic novel that follows Rayven, a young girl who, after earning her yellow belt in Hapkido, is thrilled to showcase her skills at a Cultural Festival in Seoul. However, her excitement quickly dims as a jealous classmate begins to bully her for not being Korean, leading Rayven to question her own identity. I particularly enjoyed reading it because it reminded me that unique backgrounds can beautifully intersect in unexpected ways.

🎉 Wowza! If you’re looking for an adventure that packs a punch, Young Grandmaster Choi II is the graphic novel you didn’t know you needed! Rayven's journey from excitement to insecurity is so relatable, especially when a mean classmate tries to bring her down. But the best part? She discovers a piece of her own history that ties in beautifully with Korean culture! This book is a delightful reminder that we all have a story to tell, no matter where we come from. Trust me, you’ll cheer for Rayven as she kicks her doubts to the curb! 🌟

So excited to see the second in this fantastic series! Young Grandmaster Choi II picks up where the first book left off, continuing the story of young Rayven Choi, the Black female lead the comic industry desperately needs. Readers of all ages will enjoy this engaging and beautifully illustrated story of perseverance and personal strength. And I'm excited that young readers in particular have a series like this, which portrays females of color as the (s)heroes we need!

This was a super cute read that touches on both Korean culture and African-American culture. The fact that Smith was able to address a topic such as racism in such a small amount of space AND do it well is amazing. This is something I hope will become a full novel eventually so that I can add it to my library. My students would love it! Thank you NetGalley and Shero Comics for the ARC so I could read and review!