Who Smashed Hollywood Barriers with Gung Fu?: Bruce Lee: A Who HQ Graphic Novel

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

Discover how Bruce Lee introduced gung fu to millions across America through his historic role as Kato in this dynamic graphic novel by APALA Award-winning author Teresa Robeson and Eisner-nominated, APALA Honor-winning illustrator Ryan Inzana.

Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting addition to the #1 New York Times best-selling Who Was? series!

Follow Bruce Lee as he breaks ground and makes gung fu (also known as kung fu) popular through the 1960s show The Green Hornet—pushing boundaries as the first Asian American man in a major supporting television role. A story of determination, dedication, and innovation, this graphic novel immerses readers in Bruce’s journey to stardom as he fights to authentically showcase his martial-arts skills on screen. This powerful tale is brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that jump off the page.

Series Overview: Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: a new program from the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series that highlights a pivotal moment from history, or from an important figure's life, in graphic novel form!

About the Author

Teresa Robeson (she/her) is the APALA Picture Book Award-winning author of Queen of Physics, which also received an ILA Nonfiction Picture Book Honor and was a NCTE Orbis Pictus Nonfiction Recommended Book. Her other work includes Two Bicycles in Beijing, Who Is Tibet's Exiled Leader? The 14th Dalai Lama, and Clouds in Space. Teresa was born in Hong Kong and, like Bruce Lee, grew up there. Unlike Bruce Lee, she is not very good at gung fu, but she could fend off a mean rooster on her family’s mini-farm if she had to. She lives in Southern Indiana. Visit her online at teresarobeson.com.

Author Residence: Southern Indiana

Author Hometown: Hong Kong, China

Ryan Inzana (he/him) is an illustrator/concept designer/animator whose work has appeared in various media all over the world. Ryan's comics have been inducted into the Library of Congress's permanent collection of art and his graphic novel Ichiro earned an Eisner nomination as well as an Asian American/Pacific Islander Honor Award for YA literature. He lives in central New Jersey, and you can find him online at ryaninzana.com.

Illustrator Residence:Central New Jersey