Staff Pick
Jen Wang’s newest graphic novel for the 8+ crowd is so good! It’s about a new friendship and the ups and downs that come with it. Christine and Moon have a lot of differences, but they grow close when Moon and her mother move into Christine’s family’s guest house. This one hits all the emotional notes of childhood friendship perfectly. Recommended By Jennifer H., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Stargazing is a heartwarming middle-grade graphic novel in the spirit of Real Friends and El Deafo, from New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Jen Wang.
Moon is everything Christine isn't. She's confident, impulsive, artistic . . . and though they both grew up in the same Chinese-American suburb, Moon is somehow unlike anyone Christine has ever known.
But after Moon moves in next door, these unlikely friends are soon best friends, sharing their favorite music videos and painting their toenails when Christine's strict parents aren't around. Moon even tells Christine her deepest secret: that she has visions, sometimes, of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Who reassure her that earth isn't where she really belongs.
Moon's visions have an all-too-earthly root, however, and soon Christine's best friend is in the hospital, fighting for her life. Can Christine be the friend Moon needs, now, when the sky is falling?
Jen Wang draws on her childhood to paint a deeply personal yet wholly relatable friendship story that's at turns joyful, heart-wrenching, and full of hope.
Review
"Every character in Stargazing is approached kindly, with an understanding of how complex people are and the sheer variety they offer. ...It's an ideal approach to a middle-grade book, and a near-perfect read." The AV Club
Review
"It is so very rare and refreshing to see diversity within the Asian American community authentically portrayed; Wang allows each character complete ownership of their identity, freeing their truths and, in the process, allowing readers to do the same. A shining gem of a book." Kirkus (Starred Review)
Review
"Just beautiful. Stargazing is warm and funny and packed with shout outs and nods to the Asian American experience. It feels SO wonderful to be seen!"
Kelly Yang, award-winning author of Front Desk
Review
"Intimate and sweet. I'd like to hand Stargazing to every kid I know."
Raina Telgemeier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Smile
About the Author
Jen Wang is a cartoonist, author and illustrator living in Los Angeles. She is the author of The Prince and the Dressmaker, Koko Be Good, and co-author of the New York Times Bestselling graphic novel In Real Life with Cory Doctorow. Her work has also appeared in Los Angeles Magazine, The Believer, Hazlitt, Slate, and McSweeney's. She has also written for the Adventure Time and Lumberjanes comic series. She is the co-founder and organizer of the annual festival Comics Arts Los Angeles. jenwang.net