Stargazing

 

  •    Wang, Jen. Stargazing. First Second, 2019. Ages 6-10


Christine is a young Chinese American violinist who lives to meet her parents' high expectations of her and her younger sibling. Her parents offer to let a struggling mother, and her daughter Moon, stay in their unit behind their house, and since Moon is the new girl in town, Christine's parents encourage the girls to be friends. Moon and Christine seem to be opposites; Moon is outgoing, loud, unafraid, and unapologetic, while Christine is reserved, quiet, anxious, and constantly worries about meeting her parents' expectations. As they get to know each other, the girls find that they have more in common than they initially thought and form a sweet friendship. Moon also happens to get visions from celestials, because she isn’t fully human, explaining “When I said they’re my friends, I meant that . . . that's why I am so different from everyone. I'm actually a celestial being, like the one in my sketchbook” (Stargazing, 105). As they get closer, the girls decide they want to sign up and perform a dance for the talent show, but will Christine be able to get over her insecurities? With a couple of plot twists sprinkled in, this moving graphic novel does a marvelous job addressing themes of culture, fitting in, sickness, and friendship.  
 
This is a deeply touching graphic novel that addresses themes in a way that is accessible for young readers while allowing space to process their own emotions. The illustrations accompanying the text are beautifully drawn and detailed. Wang centers everything around Moon and Christine, thoughtfully showcasing their blossoming friendship with her word choice and illustrations. Both girls are very relatable and both have their own way of expressing their identity and culture. Wang takes care to not pass judgement on either character, but embraces their differences, showcasing audiences that there is no “right” way to display your cultural identity.  
 
This work is a fast read that is aimed toward middle grades and kids from 8-12, however, there is so much there that it can be a great adult read as well. This highly engaging, moving graphic novel belongs in the hands of all young readers. It is incredibly well written, the illustrations are beautifully detailed, and the content is sure to move readers with its bittersweetness.

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