Dragon Road

Author: Laurence Yep

Pages Read: 100/288

Genre: Historical Fiction

Report Section

Calvin decides to find a job in the Chinatown of San Francisco. Jean makes him a suit, and he goes to the store to apply for the job as helper of the shopkeeper. He fills out his application faster than others, and finally he goes to shopkeeper's office on the interview. Shopkeeper tells him how he interviewed more than a hundred people and that Calvin is one of the best applications he got. Calvin started feeling joy, when shopkeeper told him why should he give a job to a Chinese, when american is jobless. He lost his hope. Calvin visited few other places, and all of them told him the same thing. He was disappointed in himself . Calvin and his father live at Ah Lee's shop, but in order to live there they needed to fix some things around the shop. Calvin sat with his d in the small room to eat. Calvin started complaining how he didn't get a job. His father knew that it will happen, so he started laughing at him. Calvin started complaining on his father, how he spends everything on liquor, and how they lose everything they get because of him. His father started crying and told Calvin to respect him, but Calvin convinced him how he is a bad father. His father got mad, so he pulled out his belt and started teaching Calvin a lesson. Calvin was taller and stronger than his dad so he caught his every swing. Calvin got mad and gave his father a dollar, and left the store. He headed for the gym, where Barney, Topper, and Jack Coughlan were waiting for him. Calvin needed to go through the Japanese part of the city, so he jogged. When he got to the gym, Topper, and Jack complained on him that he was late for practice, and because he is wearing the suit. He put on his basketball shoes and started practice. Topper acted like he was the coach of the team, and didn't like Calvin's attitude. Calvin acted bored, like he knew everything, and Topper yelled at him all the time. Jack called him in the corner, so they can speak about the basketball. Jack explained that he needs to focus on the game, not on Topper, and also that he needs to improve his defense. Few people helped him with defense, and during the practice, Jack brought the jerseys, for his team. He gave number one to Calvin, which really surprised him. The team  started a match. Topper was leading a ball, Calvin was guarding him. Topper was better than Calvin, so he dribbled past Calvin, and Calvin fell on his back. Topper took number one jersey from him, saying that he doesn't deserve it. Jack explained Calvin that he will be at that level, but first he needs to practice. When they finished their practice Jean, Grandpa Joe, and Tiger, Barney's girlfriend showed up in the gym. Jean told them that she wants to be their manager, so she and Grandpa Joe talked to Jack and Topper. They agreed. Everyone signed the contract, but Jean was too serous about the contract, next morning, she woke Calvin up at seven o'clock, so they can improve their shape. Next few days, they practiced, ate "healthy food", and woke up at early hours. Jack and Topper made a match with some other guys. O the field, there were few reporters watching the game, and of course Barney's and Calvin's family were watching too. So they started with Barney and Calvin off the field, but few minutes into the game, they let them in. They played well whole game, and Topper was commanding all of the plays, until the end. Topper demanded Calvin to pass the ball to him, but Calvin listened to Jack's advice and ignored him. He went for the basket and scored the final basket of the game. He was finally proud on himself.

Response Section

I really liked what I've read so far in thee book. I finally see how people treated Chinese in 1930s and how Calvin is one of the victims of the racism. Even though Calvin was better that other when he was applying for the job, they didn't want to accept him, because there were Americans that were jobless, and no one wanted to give him a job, instead of american. He finally decided to join the team, and to follow his dream to play basketball once more, but Jean and Tiger act too serious about the contract they signed to be their managers, and that really bothers Calvin, so he tries to fire her, but she does not listen to him. My recent reading has fulfilled my expectations. Dragon Road is not an easy book to read. It has many unfamiliar words that were used in the period of time when this book was written. Text really fits all of the actions that happen in the story. I can't wait to see what will happen in the book. I think that Calvin and Barney will go around the country, but who knows what will happen on their way to become pros once again. I am really satisfied of what I read so far.

Passage Section

"So did you get anywhere dressing up like a peacock?"

He took another swing from the bottle. The liquor used up what little salary he got from the storekeeper. I didn't answer, but my face said it all.

Calvin was too ashamed to tell his father what happened, he was sad he is part of the racism.