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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Seeing as how it is "Graphic Novel Month" I decided to check out this new story from my library. I haven't read a graphic novel since I was a teenager and I think this book was the perfect example to inspire me to check out more G.N.'s as an adult. Stargazing is filled with so many real scenarios of kids growing up and the social and personal issues they encounter throughout life. What teen doesn't go through the feeling that they may not be good enough or "cool enough" at some point? I would have related a lot to the character, Christine, when I was growing up. I really loved the character, Moon, who is bold and courageous and FUN! The illustrations were also well done and really did a great job of conveying the story and character's feelings when the words weren't there. I definitely disagree that G.N.'s aren't considered 'books' to some teachers or librarians. There is so much deeper context the reader has to unveil than if the words were already there on the page and they are great for reading comprehension. Sometimes books have too many words and it's easy to get lost and you forget what the book is actually about. So on that note, thank you Jen Wang for re-creating a love and appreciation for graphic novels again. I'll definitely be checking out more from my local library.
Jen Wang does such a great job with realistic characters and interactions. Christine is suffering from feeling like she isn't "good enough" by not being the absolute best at everything as her strict parents constantly remind her. But when Moon and her mother move in to their detached mother-in-law suite Moon and Christine start to become friends. Moon is many things Christine is not, and Christine begins to rely on Moon to help her out of shell, as well as soften her strict parents to things like painting nails. However, Christine has to learn to deal with her jealousy of Moon having other friends, and also being supportive when bad things happen.
Such a heartfelt story of friendship as tweens. The ending is a bit unexpected, but that is how things happen in real-life so it's no surprise. Great for representation of Asian Americans and Jen Wang uses her own experiences as a child in this graphic novel.
Such a heartfelt story of friendship as tweens. The ending is a bit unexpected, but that is how things happen in real-life so it's no surprise. Great for representation of Asian Americans and Jen Wang uses her own experiences as a child in this graphic novel.
This was so beautiful and sweet, a story of two different Chinese-American girls struggling to fit in, a story of forgiveness and friendship. The art is awesome and it's honestly a very quick read.
This was such a sweet graphic novel. I love finding books about Asian American children. This is a great example of daring to be different and being friends with someone no matter what others might think of them. Super sweet and poignant. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love graphic novel memoirs and this one was unique in that I didn’t know it was a memoir until the end. A great introduction to diverse characters for the juvenile set!
I started this book about a week ago, borrowing it as an e-book from my library. But there must have been something wrong with my Internet connection or the copy I downloaded, because several pages were left blank. At first, I mistook these for chapter breaks, then I told myself it didn't matter if I skipped a page or two. But very soon, I realized I was so invested in the story and its characters that I couldn't stand the thought of missing even a single panel. So, I took an extra week to make a trip to the library in person, so I would be certain not to miss anything, and I have to give this book extra kudos for making me want to cry before 10 in the morning.
I really love Jen Wang's art style, especially how bold the lines are and how vivid yet calming the colors are. This is the third graphic novel by Wang I've read, and it's my second favorite in total, before "In Real Life" but after "The Prince and the Dressmaker." The fact that it ranks only second place says less about this book and more about how strongly the other story holds a place in my heart. I really enjoyed "Stargazing" and would recommend and read it again!
I really love Jen Wang's art style, especially how bold the lines are and how vivid yet calming the colors are. This is the third graphic novel by Wang I've read, and it's my second favorite in total, before "In Real Life" but after "The Prince and the Dressmaker." The fact that it ranks only second place says less about this book and more about how strongly the other story holds a place in my heart. I really enjoyed "Stargazing" and would recommend and read it again!
A great middle school graphic novel. It will resonate with many of my readers because they are under the pressure to be perfect.
Jen Wang's given us cyberpunk fantasy with In Real Life (2014) and high fantasy with The Prince and the Dressmaker (2018). With Stargazing, readers get a more contemporary story with, as Kirkus notes, a true portrayal of the diversity within the Asian-American community.
Christine is a Chinese-American girl from a more traditional Chinese family. She is focused on school and her music, until her family moves YuWen Lin and her daughter, Moon, into the in-law apartment where Christine's grandfather used to live. YuWen and Moon are a struggling family, and the hospitality offered by Christine's family is much appreciated. Christine and Moon are encouraged to spend time together, but the two are polar opposites: Moon is a vegetarian Buddhist who loves K-Pop and is rumored to get into fights. Despite their differences, Christine and Moon grow close, with Moon introducing Christine to a lighter, more fun side of life, letting her relax and let her guard down. Moon confides in Christine, telling her that she belongs in outer space, and that beings from space speak to her. When Moon meets a Caucasian girl that shares many of her interests, Christine's jealousy takes control, and she puts Moon into an embarrassing situation; Moon reacts with her fists, which leads to an episode that lands Moon in the hospital.
Jen Wang weaves an intricate story of family expectations, social groups, and the complexity of navigating friendships in Stargazing, giving us some of her best storytelling yet. Influenced by events in her childhood and growing up in an Asian-American family, the story has depth and incredible emotion. Whether she's giving us cyber farmers (In Real Life) or a friendship between two schoolgirls who love K-Pop, Jen Wang always manages to make her character's humanity the central focus of her stories. Christine and Moon are so real, so strong, that their voices come right off the page and speak to readers; telling them about their stories, their lives, their struggles. When Christine writes that she doesn't consider Moon Asian, we see the conflict between a traditional Chinese household versus a more contemporary, Westernized Chinese-American household. Christine's mother holds Chinese lessons in her home; YuWen runs a plant nursery and watches TV with her daughter at night. While Christine listens to more Westernized music, Moon embraces K-Pop and dance routines. The two families present a glimpse into the diversity of Asian-American families, both connected to the culture in different ways.
Stargazing is a definite must-read and has starred reviews from Kirkus and Publisher's Weekly. Newsarama has an interview with Jen Wang that's worth reading.
Christine is a Chinese-American girl from a more traditional Chinese family. She is focused on school and her music, until her family moves YuWen Lin and her daughter, Moon, into the in-law apartment where Christine's grandfather used to live. YuWen and Moon are a struggling family, and the hospitality offered by Christine's family is much appreciated. Christine and Moon are encouraged to spend time together, but the two are polar opposites: Moon is a vegetarian Buddhist who loves K-Pop and is rumored to get into fights. Despite their differences, Christine and Moon grow close, with Moon introducing Christine to a lighter, more fun side of life, letting her relax and let her guard down. Moon confides in Christine, telling her that she belongs in outer space, and that beings from space speak to her. When Moon meets a Caucasian girl that shares many of her interests, Christine's jealousy takes control, and she puts Moon into an embarrassing situation; Moon reacts with her fists, which leads to an episode that lands Moon in the hospital.
Jen Wang weaves an intricate story of family expectations, social groups, and the complexity of navigating friendships in Stargazing, giving us some of her best storytelling yet. Influenced by events in her childhood and growing up in an Asian-American family, the story has depth and incredible emotion. Whether she's giving us cyber farmers (In Real Life) or a friendship between two schoolgirls who love K-Pop, Jen Wang always manages to make her character's humanity the central focus of her stories. Christine and Moon are so real, so strong, that their voices come right off the page and speak to readers; telling them about their stories, their lives, their struggles. When Christine writes that she doesn't consider Moon Asian, we see the conflict between a traditional Chinese household versus a more contemporary, Westernized Chinese-American household. Christine's mother holds Chinese lessons in her home; YuWen runs a plant nursery and watches TV with her daughter at night. While Christine listens to more Westernized music, Moon embraces K-Pop and dance routines. The two families present a glimpse into the diversity of Asian-American families, both connected to the culture in different ways.
Stargazing is a definite must-read and has starred reviews from Kirkus and Publisher's Weekly. Newsarama has an interview with Jen Wang that's worth reading.
A quick read! Cute, mostly loved the way the book displayed different types of Asian-American-ness. I feel like a lot of minorities get lumped together sometimes and I like that this showed two very different Asian families.