Graphic Novel Review – Stargazing by Jen Wang (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Graphic Novel/Contemporary Fiction
Length: 224 pages
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: September 10, 2019
ISBN-13: 978-1250183880
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4/5 stars
“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.
But after Moon moves in next door, these unlikely friends are soon best friends, sharing their favorite music videos and painting their toenails when Christine’s strict parents aren’t around. Moon even tells Christine her deepest secret: that she has visions, sometimes, of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Who reassure her that earth isn’t where she really belongs.
Moon’s visions have an all-too-earthly root, however, and soon Christine’s best friend is in the hospital, fighting for her life. Can Christine be the friend Moon needs, now, when the sky is falling?”
I really enjoyed Wang’s “The Prince and the Dressmaker” and was reallly looking forward to this next book. This as a very fun read and I enjoyed it a lot…I didn’t like it quite as much as “The Prince and the Dressmaker”. However, it was still very well done.
When a new girl named Moon moves to Christine’s neighborhood, Christine is wary of her because of rumors of Moon’s violent behavior. However, Moon is a lot of things that Christine isn’t…outgoing, artistic, and fun and Christine can’t help but become friends with her and admire her. Then Moon starts having strange visions that end up having a more earthly cause.
I enjoyed this a lot. It’s well illustrated and the story is easy to follow. It has humor and heart and is very engaging. I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as “The Prince and the Dressmaker” (PDM). I just enjoyed the subject matter of PDM more, it was more cute and fun, and felt like that was aimed at an older audience which made me enjoy the story in PDM more.
I do think this is aimed a bit more at girls than boys, but my 12 year old son is planning to read it so I am curious to see how he likes is.
Overall this was a very well done graphic novel about friendship, family, and illness. I didn’t enjoy it as much as Wang’s previous novel because of the subject matter. Still, I think it was incredibly well done and think many will enjoy it a ton.
