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Stargazing
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.
When Moon’s family moves in next door to Christine’s, Moon goes from unlikely friend to best friend―maybe even the perfect friend. The girls share their favorite music videos, paint their toenails when Christine’s strict parents aren’t around, and make plans to enter the school talent show together. Moon even tells Christine her deepest secret: that she sometimes has visions of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Who reassure her that earth isn’t where she really belongs.
But when they’re least expecting it, catastrophe strikes. After relying on Moon for everything, can Christine find it in herself to be the friend Moon needs?
New York Times–bestselling author-illustrator 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
When Moon’s family moves in next door to Christine’s, Moon goes from unlikely friend to best friend―maybe even the perfect friend. The girls share their favorite music videos, paint their toenails when Christine’s strict parents aren’t around, and make plans to enter the school talent show together. Moon even tells Christine her deepest secret: that she sometimes has visions of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Who reassure her that earth isn’t where she really belongs.
But when they’re least expecting it, catastrophe strikes. After relying on Moon for everything, can Christine find it in herself to be the friend Moon needs?
New York Times–bestselling author-illustrator 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
213 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,299 reviews
October 8, 2020
This was cute and I enjoyed it and read it in one setting, but there were some crucial character traits and hints dropped into the book that make it so that the climax/resolution makes sense, but I don't think those hints were dropped in substantially because the ending seemed to come out of nowhere. But I liked the characters and will continue to pick up everything Jen writes/illustrates!
September 20, 2019
Jen Wang has such a way with storytelling that always manages to make me smile and laugh while still punching me in the heart with feels (in a good way), and Stargazing followed that trend beautifully. I absolutely adored this graphic novel! Moon and Christine are both so precious, and they feel like real kids, you know? The diversity represented is so sweet and the commentary on biracial and/or Asian-American kids feeling "not Asian enough" made my chest ache for friends who have told me they've gone through similar things.
On top of the story itself being so precious and offering up such a lovely story of friendship and overcoming insecurities and loneliness, there's also the art, which is iconic and stunning and sweet. I adore how expressive the characters are and the color palette used — Jen's style is one of my all-time favorites.
I can't add this to my library's order list fast enough and know that I'm going to be recommending this book to anyone and everyone who will listen to me rave about it!
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
On top of the story itself being so precious and offering up such a lovely story of friendship and overcoming insecurities and loneliness, there's also the art, which is iconic and stunning and sweet. I adore how expressive the characters are and the color palette used — Jen's style is one of my all-time favorites.
I can't add this to my library's order list fast enough and know that I'm going to be recommending this book to anyone and everyone who will listen to me rave about it!
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 7, 2021
Self discovery genre + friendship + challenges of meeting expectation of immigrant parents gone 100% right
This one was so pure so beautiful that I want to recommend this book to every kid I meet. The feelings of fear, worry, loneliness, love, happiness and betrayal are portrayed so beautifully.
The characters are beautifully build, relatable and super funny.
Moon being my fav kid I just loved her soo much. If I was a middle grader I wanted her to be my bestfriend.
And that unexpected turn at the end made the story even more impactful.
All credits to Jen wan for being the amazing writer, storyteller and illustrated. And also the authors note and photo at the end is must read💜
This one was so pure so beautiful that I want to recommend this book to every kid I meet. The feelings of fear, worry, loneliness, love, happiness and betrayal are portrayed so beautifully.
The characters are beautifully build, relatable and super funny.
Moon being my fav kid I just loved her soo much. If I was a middle grader I wanted her to be my bestfriend.
And that unexpected turn at the end made the story even more impactful.
All credits to Jen wan for being the amazing writer, storyteller and illustrated. And also the authors note and photo at the end is must read💜
September 3, 2020
ugh im EMO. full review tc because i have a lot of feelings
August 11, 2021
3.5/5
Stargazing is an adorable book about friendship, providing a refreshing peek into Asian American society as well as demonstrating a diverse range of individuals, personalities, lives, and beliefs all getting along and supporting one another in difficult times.
Overall a quick fun and lovely read.
Stargazing is an adorable book about friendship, providing a refreshing peek into Asian American society as well as demonstrating a diverse range of individuals, personalities, lives, and beliefs all getting along and supporting one another in difficult times.
Overall a quick fun and lovely read.
February 18, 2024
I have been missing out on Jen Wang! This book was beautiful. I freaking cried! I loved this so much!
This was perfectly told to span across the ages. I loved Moon's quirky little self. The art is fantastic, and the narrative is even better. The sequential art went together perfectly; I got completely caught up in it.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this gem about friendship and cultural boundaries.
5 STARS!
This was perfectly told to span across the ages. I loved Moon's quirky little self. The art is fantastic, and the narrative is even better. The sequential art went together perfectly; I got completely caught up in it.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this gem about friendship and cultural boundaries.
5 STARS!
August 9, 2019
This was such a cute and innocent story!
I had already read The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang and loved it; so going into this one I was expecting to also love it and I most certainly did! This was such a unique story and I really loved it! The artwork was stunning but I did read an ARC copy so it was in black and white instead of the finished copy which will be in colour. I plan on getting a copy of the finished copy and rereading when it’s in full colour. There was a a lot of diversity in here too and I loved it! I also loved how a lot of the story was something that had happened to the author themself! That made me connect more with the story. I just loved it. The only reason it’s not a 5 for me is because I felt like I wanted a bit more!
I had already read The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang and loved it; so going into this one I was expecting to also love it and I most certainly did! This was such a unique story and I really loved it! The artwork was stunning but I did read an ARC copy so it was in black and white instead of the finished copy which will be in colour. I plan on getting a copy of the finished copy and rereading when it’s in full colour. There was a a lot of diversity in here too and I loved it! I also loved how a lot of the story was something that had happened to the author themself! That made me connect more with the story. I just loved it. The only reason it’s not a 5 for me is because I felt like I wanted a bit more!
November 4, 2019
A great book about making friends and navigating the world of Middle school. The characters are Chinese American, but the situations and experiences of wanting to have fun, friends and fit in are universal.
Moon and her mom are in a tight spot, so Christine's family has them move into the mother's house on the property. Moon was known to have some issues with fighting and such and Christine is worried about living close to her. It turns out they can be pretty good friends. Moon is much more American and can do things that Christine's strict father doesn't allow like painting her toenails.
I appreciate the cool girl at school who is about trying new things and she loves Chinese food and will come and talk to people who are different. I love people like that and I also like that she loves Chinese food. I can't live without Asian food.
I think this is a great middle-grade graphic novel for anyone interested in two lonely people coming together. It reads quick and the artwork plays with being mischievous.
Moon and her mom are in a tight spot, so Christine's family has them move into the mother's house on the property. Moon was known to have some issues with fighting and such and Christine is worried about living close to her. It turns out they can be pretty good friends. Moon is much more American and can do things that Christine's strict father doesn't allow like painting her toenails.
I appreciate the cool girl at school who is about trying new things and she loves Chinese food and will come and talk to people who are different. I love people like that and I also like that she loves Chinese food. I can't live without Asian food.
I think this is a great middle-grade graphic novel for anyone interested in two lonely people coming together. It reads quick and the artwork plays with being mischievous.
March 16, 2024
A bittersweet story of the growing bond between two Chinese American girls. Christine Hong lives with her parents and younger sister Vivian, she’s diligent about school work, plays the violin and attends the local Chinese Church with her family. But her ordered life is suddenly disrupted when Moon Lin and her mother rent Christine’s parents’ annex. Moon and her mother are vegetarians and Buddhists. In comparison to Christine, Moon’s spontaneous, even brash, she’d rather dance to K-pop than take Chinese lessons. Despite their apparent differences, Christine and Moon become friends but then a series of unexpected developments threaten their growing bond. Jen Wang’s fluid, graphic novel builds on aspects of her own past - I particularly liked the way she flirts with some of the more obvious stereotypes about Chinese American communities then quickly and carefully dismantles them. Wang’s artwork is simple and uncluttered, she used ball point pens to conjure associations with the kinds of comics she produced in her teens to give this a “more naturalistic look.” Wang’s muted colour palette didn’t always work for me but I really liked her use of space, how it highlights her characters and allows her text to breathe.
Rating: 3.5
Rating: 3.5
April 2, 2023
Middle grade graphic novels are where it's at. If you've never picked one up, I recommend starting here. Such a beautiful and emotional read.
I've been hearing things about Stargazing for years! I think I was nervous to pick it up because I heard that it was quite emotional. Granted, it was, but I wish that I would have picked this up sooner. The graphic novel follows two characters, Moon and Christine, who meet after Moon and her mother need a place to stay. Moon is unlike anyone that Christine has ever met and the two quickly become close friends. However, due to an illness, Moon needs Christine in ways that Christine never expected.
What Worked: I really enjoyed the fact that Jen Wang emphasized the idea that no community is a monolith. Christine and Moon grow up in the same Chinese American community, but they lead extremely different lifestyles. Moon has a relationship with her mom that allows her to be a little more free in terms of her creativity and interest where Christine comes from a more strict household that has rules that make Christine feel a little suffocated. Adults often assume that the experiences of one person of a marginalized community are the same for others. I'm glad that Wang took the opportunity to showcase the inaccuracy of these feelings to a middle grade audience. I also appreciated the fact that the girls brought out the best in each other even when things weren't perfect. It made their relationship feel real and true to middle grade experiences. They care for each other immensely, but Wang allows space for them to make mistakes. The artwork was also brilliant and really captured the emotions behind the story especially those really sensitive moments when readers are confronted with childhood illness.
Overall, this is another great addition to my Jen Wang books and I'm looking forward to picking up more in the future.
I've been hearing things about Stargazing for years! I think I was nervous to pick it up because I heard that it was quite emotional. Granted, it was, but I wish that I would have picked this up sooner. The graphic novel follows two characters, Moon and Christine, who meet after Moon and her mother need a place to stay. Moon is unlike anyone that Christine has ever met and the two quickly become close friends. However, due to an illness, Moon needs Christine in ways that Christine never expected.
What Worked: I really enjoyed the fact that Jen Wang emphasized the idea that no community is a monolith. Christine and Moon grow up in the same Chinese American community, but they lead extremely different lifestyles. Moon has a relationship with her mom that allows her to be a little more free in terms of her creativity and interest where Christine comes from a more strict household that has rules that make Christine feel a little suffocated. Adults often assume that the experiences of one person of a marginalized community are the same for others. I'm glad that Wang took the opportunity to showcase the inaccuracy of these feelings to a middle grade audience. I also appreciated the fact that the girls brought out the best in each other even when things weren't perfect. It made their relationship feel real and true to middle grade experiences. They care for each other immensely, but Wang allows space for them to make mistakes. The artwork was also brilliant and really captured the emotions behind the story especially those really sensitive moments when readers are confronted with childhood illness.
Overall, this is another great addition to my Jen Wang books and I'm looking forward to picking up more in the future.
April 21, 2022
4 stars
Stargazing is a great middle grade graphic novel. I loved the art style and the friendship between Moon and Christine.
Stargazing is a great middle grade graphic novel. I loved the art style and the friendship between Moon and Christine.
July 7, 2021
A aweet middle grades graphic novel that I read because I had just taught Wang's Prince and the Dressmaker and some said they like this even better. I liked it, and it is more relatable than the very different Prince and the Pauper spinoff, but I still like the different kind of sweetness and goofiness of Prince a bit more.
Christine is a quiet, "good girl," who is intrigued when a wilder girl named Moon moves in next door. They become friends, and Moon pushes her to be more adventurous (paint your nails! let's do the talent show!) Moon tells Christine her deepest secret: that she sometimes has visions of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Moon says some day she will return to the stars where she truly belongs.
When we find out that the stars she sees are actually connected to (spoiler alert) a brain tumor, things get deeper and more serious, of course. In an afterword we find out that Wang's story, which is almost completely fiction, is based on her own life too in that when she was young she actually had a brain tumor as well. I like her artwork and sweet family/friend relationships, and that point about being yourself, of course.
Christine is a quiet, "good girl," who is intrigued when a wilder girl named Moon moves in next door. They become friends, and Moon pushes her to be more adventurous (paint your nails! let's do the talent show!) Moon tells Christine her deepest secret: that she sometimes has visions of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Moon says some day she will return to the stars where she truly belongs.
When we find out that the stars she sees are actually connected to (spoiler alert) a brain tumor, things get deeper and more serious, of course. In an afterword we find out that Wang's story, which is almost completely fiction, is based on her own life too in that when she was young she actually had a brain tumor as well. I like her artwork and sweet family/friend relationships, and that point about being yourself, of course.
February 12, 2020
Sweet fancy heck, how did I not know this book existed?! Then a couple of weeks ago it won the Asian/Pacific American Children's Book award, and a bunch of authors I trust were talking about how it was their favorite book of 2019 and I'm like, huh, I guess we'll try it . . . ?
It's. Wonderful.
Funny, sad, awkward, sweet, all the things you want in a coming-of-age story, beautifully told in graphic novel form. I'm almost ANGRY this book slipped under my radar! I could have had it on MY best of 2019 list! Now it will have to wait to be on the Best of 2020 list!
My 11yo daughter has already read it and loved it, btw. And she can be hard to please!
It's. Wonderful.
Funny, sad, awkward, sweet, all the things you want in a coming-of-age story, beautifully told in graphic novel form. I'm almost ANGRY this book slipped under my radar! I could have had it on MY best of 2019 list! Now it will have to wait to be on the Best of 2020 list!
My 11yo daughter has already read it and loved it, btw. And she can be hard to please!
August 31, 2019
Christine doesn't know what to think of Moon Lin, the girl living in her parent's backyard carriage house. Moon is impulsive, confident, Buddhist and a vegetarian...and she beats up kids. She's everything Christine is not—and she just might be an alien. But slowly these unlikely friends become best friends, until Christine starts to question their relationship.
I really, really enjoyed this book, and how it looked at Chinese-American children and how the sameness of experience makes any deviation from the norm—like Moon—seem weird and not-Asian.
Christine went from sheltered, uptight and rigid to learning to relax and enjoy life—although she still remained the same person that she was, being obsessed with grades and keeping her parents' love by being perfect. I enjoyed how she dealt with her feelings of discomfort, by putting up her defenses, slowly letting her guard down, and erecting her defenses again only to realize that you can't build a wall around your feelings.
Moon was absolutely ridiculous, although I didn't like that much of her weirdness was explained by , although it didn't really change much about how she was different from the other kids. What I did like was that she knew she was different, and felt lonely and isolated by her difference, but still reached out and tried to make friends. And her beating up other kids was her way of protecting her friends from the pain she had felt (and also her way of self-defense when words didn't stop the laughter).
I also liked how Moon was both "out of touch" with her heritage and also more in synch with Asian culture as a whole. She didn't speak Chinese, but she was obsessed with K-pop and knew more about trends than Christine and her friends, who were isolated by their parents' views and desires to maintain their Chinese culture. Moon's explanation of her differences was simple—she was so weird that of course she came from the stars, and she had visions to prove it. As a weird kid who didn't fit in with the others, I can totally agree with Moon on that end. When you're so weird, sometimes you have to find a way to explain your differences, and being an alien can often make more sense than any of the other reasons.
Overall, this was a very quick and heartfelt #ownvoices graphic novel about friendship and the differences in the Chinese diaspora, and how being weird and different from your peer group is okay.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
I really, really enjoyed this book, and how it looked at Chinese-American children and how the sameness of experience makes any deviation from the norm—like Moon—seem weird and not-Asian.
Christine went from sheltered, uptight and rigid to learning to relax and enjoy life—although she still remained the same person that she was, being obsessed with grades and keeping her parents' love by being perfect. I enjoyed how she dealt with her feelings of discomfort, by putting up her defenses, slowly letting her guard down, and erecting her defenses again only to realize that you can't build a wall around your feelings.
Moon was absolutely ridiculous, although I didn't like that much of her weirdness was explained by , although it didn't really change much about how she was different from the other kids. What I did like was that she knew she was different, and felt lonely and isolated by her difference, but still reached out and tried to make friends. And her beating up other kids was her way of protecting her friends from the pain she had felt (and also her way of self-defense when words didn't stop the laughter).
I also liked how Moon was both "out of touch" with her heritage and also more in synch with Asian culture as a whole. She didn't speak Chinese, but she was obsessed with K-pop and knew more about trends than Christine and her friends, who were isolated by their parents' views and desires to maintain their Chinese culture. Moon's explanation of her differences was simple—she was so weird that of course she came from the stars, and she had visions to prove it. As a weird kid who didn't fit in with the others, I can totally agree with Moon on that end. When you're so weird, sometimes you have to find a way to explain your differences, and being an alien can often make more sense than any of the other reasons.
Overall, this was a very quick and heartfelt #ownvoices graphic novel about friendship and the differences in the Chinese diaspora, and how being weird and different from your peer group is okay.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
August 17, 2021
I just love her illustrations. Heartfelt characters. And lovely representation of a proper middle grade story.
The story is about coming to terms with changes and differences. It's about acceptance.
We tend to assume a lot of things about people around us, even the ones we haven't met yet.
There are certain parts which show vividly how parents restrict their kids of certain activities just because they're of a certain gender.
The parts which I feel could have been done better are the ones which actually brought up the issues like bullying, rage and gossip that could harm someone's life but they don't have much closure or explanations thereafter.
However, it's still a good read. I wish the story wasn't rushed in the later half.
The story is about coming to terms with changes and differences. It's about acceptance.
We tend to assume a lot of things about people around us, even the ones we haven't met yet.
There are certain parts which show vividly how parents restrict their kids of certain activities just because they're of a certain gender.
The parts which I feel could have been done better are the ones which actually brought up the issues like bullying, rage and gossip that could harm someone's life but they don't have much closure or explanations thereafter.
However, it's still a good read. I wish the story wasn't rushed in the later half.
December 31, 2019
For once, my two daughters agree on something: 4 stars for this middle grades graphic novel.
November 14, 2019
My expectations were too high going in to this follow-up to Wang's The Prince and the Dressmaker, but it is still a nice, low-key kids book about a Chinese American girl who is struggling to meet her parents' ideas of perfection when a more carefree and outgoing girl with a bad reputation moves in next door. Typical friendship and school complications ensue, until a dramatic twist based on the author's own life comes out of nowhere late in the book and rushes us to the ending and what amounts to a closing credits musical number. It would have been better with either a sharper focus or more pages to deal more fully with all the elements introduced.
July 23, 2020
Maravilloso 😍
June 20, 2020
Después de enamorar al mundo con “El príncipe y la modista” Jen Wang usa una experiencia que marcó su infancia para narrar la amistad de dos niñas asiático-americanas muy distintas entre sí. Moon y Christine se complementan porque una aporta a la vida de la otra valentía y creatividad, y la otra le trae estabilidad y paciencia. La historia de estas dos vecinas sirve para reflexionar sobre distintos modelos de crianza, sobre las expectativas en cuanto a los hijos y sobre las particulares características de las comunidades inmigrantes en entornos cerrados. El dibujo de la autora desprende su acostumbrada ternura y está impregnado de una cierta magia que no le resta ninguna contemporaneidad a la historia.
September 18, 2019
This was full of the pure innocence only children have. It was utterly wonderful and the epitome of adorable. The story warmed my heart in so many ways and I have no doubt, whoever you are, wherever you were born, no matter your race, ethnicity, gender etc. there is a part of you that will be able to relate to a part of this story. The artwork was absolutely gorgeous and perfectly lifted the innocence of the characters and this story. I just want to put a copy of this into the library of every school around the world and the hands of every child and adult alike. This is the kind of story that will make you smile from ear to ear and cause your heart to swell and ache in unison.
June 12, 2019
This is a sweet, quiet, surprising book. Considering that it just tops 200 pages, it packs more a of punch, and more of a twist ending, than I was expecting. It starts with an orchestral performance at a church, in which Christine plays violin. She tries hard to be everything her parents want: academic, musical, and serious- never painting her nails, taking Chinese language lessons and extra math after school. Then Moon and her mother move into the granny unit behind their house. Moon is a bundle of contradictions: vegetarian, Buddhist, funny, loud, good at drawing, obsessed with K-Pop, uncool but supremely confident. She's less feminine than Christine but she wears nail polish, she watches youtube instead of studying but does well on her tests. She and Christine quickly become best friends, and Moon talks her into signing up for the talent show together. But when other people being to befriend Moon and hang out with her when Christine isn't available, she gets jealous and does something that might sabotage their friendship forever. Will they be able to mend it? And what about the visions Moon sometimes mentions, of celestial beings who say her real home isn't on planet Earth...? I picked up a black and white advanced reader copy of this book at BookExpo 2019. I can't wait to see what it will look like in full color, because the art is already wonderful. While you wait, go pick up any of Jen Wang's earlier books (In Real Life, Koko Be Good, or Eisner nominated The Prince and the Dressmaker) because they are all amazing!
September 6, 2020
Such a sweet and heartwarming story about young friendship. The art is really cute and captures facial expressions so well. The Chinese cultural references are a bonus—traditional Chinese characters were printed on the pages! and the Chinese food look delicious!!! I love everything about this. One of my favourite graphic novels.
September 12, 2019
When I was in high school, I had a discussion with a Chinese-American friend of mine about what we were going to do in college. She told me she envied me, because I could major in anything I wanted, but she, she had to do what was expected of her, and become a doctor, even if she didn't want to.
I bring this up, because, Christine, in the story, is envious of Moon the same way, because unlike her family, where she is supposed to do well in school all the time, Moon can get away with getting Cs, and no one cares.
And yet, they become friends.
What I love about this story is that the odd child is not shunned, but people are drawn to her. I am so tired of reading about children that are different being on the outside looking in. I love how people like this difference in her.
Wonderful, wonderful story.
I bring this up, because, Christine, in the story, is envious of Moon the same way, because unlike her family, where she is supposed to do well in school all the time, Moon can get away with getting Cs, and no one cares.
And yet, they become friends.
What I love about this story is that the odd child is not shunned, but people are drawn to her. I am so tired of reading about children that are different being on the outside looking in. I love how people like this difference in her.
Wonderful, wonderful story.
October 21, 2019
Straight-laced Christine is alarmed but intrigued by her new neighbor, imaginative, weird Moon whose violent reputation precedes her.
This is a charming story about friendship, familial expectations, personal expectations, jealousy, guilt, and the struggle of figuring out who you are and trying to be that person.
This is a charming story about friendship, familial expectations, personal expectations, jealousy, guilt, and the struggle of figuring out who you are and trying to be that person.
December 3, 2019
Excellent middle grade graphic novel for fans of Raina T, Jennifer H, etc. Perfect for grades 4-7.
July 3, 2019
Stargazing is one of those books that I would love to hand to every kid in the world. And every adult, for that matter. This charming story about friendship, feeling alone in the world and defining who we are is a wonder of nostalgia and something that feels so original. I’m a huge fan of Jen Wang and she did not disappoint. One of my first reviews was another graphic novel by Jen Wang, The Prince and The Dressmaker, and I cannot recommend either of these books highly enough.
There are so many good things to say about this book that I don’t know where to start. The characters are real and relatable, their problems and fears are important and I felt their falls and victories like they were mine. Wang does an incredible job of bringing her own experiences and authenticity to Stargazing and it pays off in spades.
I loved so many things about Stargazing. Particularly, I loved the unique perspective that Moon brings to the story and the journey she undergoes. Though not for the same reasons, I too felt that I didn’t belong here as a child, that I was secretly from somewhere else and might one day go back there, where it all made sense and I fit. I felt her loneliness at learning that she is a child of this earth the way that we all are. I felt her loneliness at learning that some of us are always going to be looking upwards, looking for something fantastic, no matter how grown up we become.
Christine, the other primary character in Stargazing, takes us on a different but just as valuable story, in trying to figure out how she’s supposed to be. From painting her nails, to the music she listens to, to her values and the friends she chooses, Christine is at an age where we all asked ourselves so many of these same questions. Do I fit in? Do I have to be who my parents/community/expectations tell me to be? Do I like who I am? Who do I want to be? Her journey was so relatable, especially so for those living in a community like Christine’s where she feels there is a “right” and “rewarded” way to be, like everyone else.
I was so excited when I requested this ARC from Netgalley, and so lucky to have gotten my hands on it. Jen Wang has impressed me again with this beautiful, sweet, whole-hearted story of two new friends trying to find their way in the world. Stargazing is about friendship, forgiveness, and feeling otherworldly, but its also a powerful story of growing up. To anyone who has felt alone, that they don’t belong, or that there might be something greater waiting for them, don’t miss out on Stargazing. You won’t regret it.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This one hits shelves on September 10, 2019!
“We can’t change the past. But we can learn from the way we hurt the ones we love, and try to do better.”
There are so many good things to say about this book that I don’t know where to start. The characters are real and relatable, their problems and fears are important and I felt their falls and victories like they were mine. Wang does an incredible job of bringing her own experiences and authenticity to Stargazing and it pays off in spades.
I loved so many things about Stargazing. Particularly, I loved the unique perspective that Moon brings to the story and the journey she undergoes. Though not for the same reasons, I too felt that I didn’t belong here as a child, that I was secretly from somewhere else and might one day go back there, where it all made sense and I fit. I felt her loneliness at learning that she is a child of this earth the way that we all are. I felt her loneliness at learning that some of us are always going to be looking upwards, looking for something fantastic, no matter how grown up we become.
Christine, the other primary character in Stargazing, takes us on a different but just as valuable story, in trying to figure out how she’s supposed to be. From painting her nails, to the music she listens to, to her values and the friends she chooses, Christine is at an age where we all asked ourselves so many of these same questions. Do I fit in? Do I have to be who my parents/community/expectations tell me to be? Do I like who I am? Who do I want to be? Her journey was so relatable, especially so for those living in a community like Christine’s where she feels there is a “right” and “rewarded” way to be, like everyone else.
I was so excited when I requested this ARC from Netgalley, and so lucky to have gotten my hands on it. Jen Wang has impressed me again with this beautiful, sweet, whole-hearted story of two new friends trying to find their way in the world. Stargazing is about friendship, forgiveness, and feeling otherworldly, but its also a powerful story of growing up. To anyone who has felt alone, that they don’t belong, or that there might be something greater waiting for them, don’t miss out on Stargazing. You won’t regret it.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This one hits shelves on September 10, 2019!
“We can’t change the past. But we can learn from the way we hurt the ones we love, and try to do better.”
April 7, 2024
This is such an adorable little graphic novel. I love how Christine and Moon’s relationship develops throughout the book. Christine especially grows and becomes a better version of herself. I can relate to the characters easily, especially to Christine, probably because my mother happens to be Asian and my parents were very strict when I was a kid.
I really enjoyed the plot, even though there’s this huge catastrophe. Spoiler alert, they do make it to the other side, perhaps not unscathed, but okay. I also enjoyed the art, especially when the girls are dancing for whatever reason. I just like to see the way the artist gets the characters to move on paper.
I recommend this to MG graphic novel lovers who want a quick read that’s full of heart and friendship.
I really enjoyed the plot, even though there’s this huge catastrophe. Spoiler alert, they do make it to the other side, perhaps not unscathed, but okay. I also enjoyed the art, especially when the girls are dancing for whatever reason. I just like to see the way the artist gets the characters to move on paper.
I recommend this to MG graphic novel lovers who want a quick read that’s full of heart and friendship.
December 13, 2021
★ 4.0 Stars ★
Stargazing is in my opinion even better than the Prince and the Dressmaker by the same author. The characters in Stargazing feel really real, and their relationship with each other feels much more vibrant and believable. I love books/movies/series about female friendships - they are so complex, even from an early age. This story about middle school friendship feels particularly relatable. Lovely artwork as well.
Stargazing is in my opinion even better than the Prince and the Dressmaker by the same author. The characters in Stargazing feel really real, and their relationship with each other feels much more vibrant and believable. I love books/movies/series about female friendships - they are so complex, even from an early age. This story about middle school friendship feels particularly relatable. Lovely artwork as well.
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