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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This graphic novel appealed to my students, but I found it thin on content. Issues were touched on: poverty, helicopter/tiger parenting, racial issues...but none of them were the focus. There was no overriding story to get into. Instead it was a slice-of-life for a girl who watched the world happen around her. I'd didn't really feel anything for any of the characters, nor did I feel upset or sad when something bad happened to some of them. It was a flat book...nothing special...noting groundbreaking.
Super quick read, a really great message, and I loved how the story developed. Would highly recommend it to all students!
Stargazing, the 2020 recipient of the Asian/Pacific American Librarian’s Association award for children’s literature, is a graphic novel depicting the story of Christine, a young Chinese-American girl, and her new friend Moon, a somewhat eccentric young girl who moves into the family’s extra unit with her mother. Although hesitant at first, Christine quickly becomes close to Moon despite her oddities. After Moon begins to befriend others, Christine faces some jealousy, leading to a shocking twist at a birthday party. This story explores the themes of friendship and individuality through these two girls, who are just living a normal American life. The drawings are relatively simple and colorful, really shining through in a digital versio, and there are many nods to Asian cultures in the drawings and text that integrate the reader into the culture, but not in a way that makes it a book just about someone’s heritage. Many of these little details made me smile as a person who has married into an Asian family, because they are things that I have seen in my life. I particularly loved how this book portrayed different families as having different connections to their heritage because that is much more true to life. I would use this book in the classroom with mid-upper elementary schoolers, focusing on those themes of navigating friendships. Overall, a very endearing book to read.
What a thoughtful comic about childhood and the complexity of emotions with friendship. Jen Wang is a delightful artist and an honest storyteller
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not nearly as fully realized as Prince and the Dressmaker
From dancing to new music to signing up for the school talent show, Christine discovers new interests when she becomes friends with Moon. While her parents expectations remain as strict as ever, Christine must decide for herself who she wants to be - and what kind of friend she will be. I loved watching Christine begin to take agency in her life, and the reminder of just how important friendships are as we continue to grow. Great for fans of Raina Telgemeier and the Best Friends series by Shannon Hale.
Quel magnifique récit. On ressent la fragilité des nouvelles amitiés, l'envie de se faire accepter et toutes les autres tourmentes de l'enfance. Je le recommande vivement.