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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
This was such a joy to read that I wish there were more. Two young girls, Christine and Moon, with very different backgrounds and lifestyles become neighbors and friends in the backdrop of a Chinese and Taiwanese immigrant community. As they learn more about each other, they begin learning from each other’s differences and form a special bond (and a dance group). Of course jealousy and insecurities make themselves known, and the result is both heartbreaking and hopeful. This graphic novel reflected back some of my own experiences as well as showed me the unique experiences of Asian Americans children, which is so smart of the author to be able to help the reader make those connections.
A perfect start to 2024 reading. The author managed to capture both the simplicity and complexities of the characters’ stage of life. While touching on feelings of loneliness, otherness, anger, and trying to live up to expectations, the writing was incredibly easy to digest and the illustrations appealing to the eye. This also showcased the levity of being this age and was so fun to read.
A perfect start to 2024 reading. The author managed to capture both the simplicity and complexities of the characters’ stage of life. While touching on feelings of loneliness, otherness, anger, and trying to live up to expectations, the writing was incredibly easy to digest and the illustrations appealing to the eye. This also showcased the levity of being this age and was so fun to read.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book offered a very heartwarming story centered around friendship, community, and identity.
Content Warnings
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Upper elementary and middle school, mc has a brain tumor, jealousy between friends, what it means to be Asian American
Moon is based on the author's own experiences having a brain tumor that caused her to have mini blackouts, being an artist, and not conforming completely to her Chinese American community. Moon is eccentric and gets to do cool things like paint her nails and go to K-pop conventions. Christine loves becoming friends with Moon even though she is wary at first, and then she worries that she will lose Moon's friendship because she is too square. I will share this with my son who is in to K-pop and graphic novels, and I'm sure the theme of conforming and friendship will resonate with him and other middle grade readers. Love the art; it's so cute!
I am doing a deep dive into middle grades graphic novels in hopes of expanding our school collection. Stargazing is a must buy in my opinion. This story is very tenderly told, it focuses on what it means to be friends, how to support someone through a health crisis, and how we can come back from doing something we think is unforgivable.
Moon and Christine are different as well, day and night. When Christine's family hears another local immigrant family is down on their luck they invite Moon and her mother to move into a rental unit on their property. Moon is everything Christine is not, she is outgoing, she is vegetarian, she is allowed to dye her hair and paint her nails, and she's charismatic. The more Christine gets to know her and values their time together the more she also wants to keep Moon's friendship all to herself. As Moon's popularity grows outside of their circle of two, Christine finds a way to embarrass her that has repercussions far outside what she could ever have imagined. Now as Moon faces a medical emergency, Christine wonders how she can ever approach her former friend to try and make amends.
I love that the friendship between Moon and Christine pushes Christine to move a little outside the safe bubble she had created for herself. I also love that even though Moon was so different from Christine, Christine found ways to build a community around her.
Moon and Christine are different as well, day and night. When Christine's family hears another local immigrant family is down on their luck they invite Moon and her mother to move into a rental unit on their property. Moon is everything Christine is not, she is outgoing, she is vegetarian, she is allowed to dye her hair and paint her nails, and she's charismatic. The more Christine gets to know her and values their time together the more she also wants to keep Moon's friendship all to herself. As Moon's popularity grows outside of their circle of two, Christine finds a way to embarrass her that has repercussions far outside what she could ever have imagined. Now as Moon faces a medical emergency, Christine wonders how she can ever approach her former friend to try and make amends.
I love that the friendship between Moon and Christine pushes Christine to move a little outside the safe bubble she had created for herself. I also love that even though Moon was so different from Christine, Christine found ways to build a community around her.
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So good! Absolutely heartwarming! Jen Wang’s line work is fantastic.