Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Cute comic with a great moral of accepting those who are different than you.
A good realistic middle grade novel, when you're an adult, is one that can take you right back to being in that space and place (there are other markers of good, too, of course). I found myself getting a little teary about this story of friendship between two Chinese American girls who are from very different backgrounds -- one is solidly middle class and has parents who expect a lot from her, while the other is nearly homeless and who has a lenient mother. When one does something mean to the other, as an act of jealousy, suddenly something scarier emerges and their entire friendship is called into question.
Beautiful art, as always, from Wang. This one made me ache over how friendships are in those middle grade years and how tough it is to be yourself exactly as you are and understand that that's why people like you.
Beautiful art, as always, from Wang. This one made me ache over how friendships are in those middle grade years and how tough it is to be yourself exactly as you are and understand that that's why people like you.
Middle grade graphic novel about friendship, acceptance, and growth. Well done, touching, and hopefully the start to another part of this story.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5 stars
This new graphic novel from the author of Prince and the Dressmaker is so sweet and has a great message. It's a story of friendship, cultural and religious identity, and belonging. A quiet exploration of difference that nevertheless was touching and heartfelt. I can feel how much this book will mean to young Asian-American kids — Own Voices stories are so important and do resonate (author Jen Wang is Buddhist Asian-American like one of the main characters in this novel). Very subtly handles issues like prejudice and hierarchies within a culture (who is "Asian enough", what traits makes someone "authentic"?).
I didn't feel the same way about this as I did her previous title though. Something about it was too simplistic and didn't go deep enough. I would have loved a little more about culture, religion, and self expression. The ending came up too fast and out of left field.
Overall, such a heartwarming story that I know will please readers of Prince and the Dressmaker even if it isn't quite as good.
This new graphic novel from the author of Prince and the Dressmaker is so sweet and has a great message. It's a story of friendship, cultural and religious identity, and belonging. A quiet exploration of difference that nevertheless was touching and heartfelt. I can feel how much this book will mean to young Asian-American kids — Own Voices stories are so important and do resonate (author Jen Wang is Buddhist Asian-American like one of the main characters in this novel). Very subtly handles issues like prejudice and hierarchies within a culture (who is "Asian enough", what traits makes someone "authentic"?).
I didn't feel the same way about this as I did her previous title though. Something about it was too simplistic and didn't go deep enough. I would have loved a little more about culture, religion, and self expression. The ending came up too fast and out of left field.
Overall, such a heartwarming story that I know will please readers of Prince and the Dressmaker even if it isn't quite as good.
Stargazing by Jen Wang is a heartfelt and yet lighthearted graphic novel about friendship and figuring out who we are. It's just as beautiful, if not more so, than [b:The Prince and the Dressmaker|34506912|The Prince and the Dressmaker|Jen Wang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494400495l/34506912._SX50_.jpg|46116413]. It's a completely different story. Although not representative of any queer personalities, it does still tackle identity - just from a different perspective. It does this beautifully.
This story follows Christine through a few short weeks of middle school, perhaps fifth or sixth grade. The story is not specific, which allows more students to relate and imagine Christine and Moon as the same age they are as readers. Christine's family cleans out the rental property behind their house and in move Moon and her mother. Moon and her mother have been down on their luck lately and are grateful to live next to Christine. Plus, the girls are the same age, so the parents hope they will become fast friends.
Fortunately, they do! Moon is not at all like straight-laced and academic Christine. She draws, paints her fingernails, isn't the best student, is Buddhist and vegetarian, and dances. Christine isn't familiar with any of these things. She spends her "free" time learning Chinese poetry and playing violin. These girls show each other new worlds and bond quickly over K-pop and new experiences. This is a beautiful friendship and feels both innocent and authentic.
This book tackles issues of parental expectations, building identities in a marginalized community, jealousy in friendships, and the fear of losing our friends for many reasons.
Even as a 29 year old white female, I see myself in both Christine and Moon and it's refreshing to see this story. I was jealous of my best friend at this age and the ease with which she could navigate crowds and make other friends. I was so afraid I'd lose her friendship. I also see myself in Moon. I'm a bit weird, and now that I'm older I'm as unapologetic about it now as she was in this story. Younger me would have loved this book and would have found it to be very hopeful.
** For teachers and parents - BUY THIS BOOK. Even elementary kids can read and understand the themes of this book. It can prompt great conversations. There is no inappropriate content and nothing that should give even elementary teachers or parents pause. **
This story follows Christine through a few short weeks of middle school, perhaps fifth or sixth grade. The story is not specific, which allows more students to relate and imagine Christine and Moon as the same age they are as readers. Christine's family cleans out the rental property behind their house and in move Moon and her mother. Moon and her mother have been down on their luck lately and are grateful to live next to Christine. Plus, the girls are the same age, so the parents hope they will become fast friends.
Fortunately, they do! Moon is not at all like straight-laced and academic Christine. She draws, paints her fingernails, isn't the best student, is Buddhist and vegetarian, and dances. Christine isn't familiar with any of these things. She spends her "free" time learning Chinese poetry and playing violin. These girls show each other new worlds and bond quickly over K-pop and new experiences. This is a beautiful friendship and feels both innocent and authentic.
This book tackles issues of parental expectations, building identities in a marginalized community, jealousy in friendships, and the fear of losing our friends for many reasons.
Even as a 29 year old white female, I see myself in both Christine and Moon and it's refreshing to see this story. I was jealous of my best friend at this age and the ease with which she could navigate crowds and make other friends. I was so afraid I'd lose her friendship. I also see myself in Moon. I'm a bit weird, and now that I'm older I'm as unapologetic about it now as she was in this story. Younger me would have loved this book and would have found it to be very hopeful.
** For teachers and parents - BUY THIS BOOK. Even elementary kids can read and understand the themes of this book. It can prompt great conversations. There is no inappropriate content and nothing that should give even elementary teachers or parents pause. **
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.
Una historia pequeña sobre amistad y celos, muy bien llevada y muy bien dibujada.
El estilo de Jen Wang me sigue enamorando mucho.
El estilo de Jen Wang me sigue enamorando mucho.