We have The Prince and the Dressmaker in our collection, and the students really like it, so I was interested to see more of Jen Wang's work. I was a little surprised at how different this was from that book, but pleasantly so. I can definitely see it being a hit with fans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson, and the K-pop angle will also be a big hook. I did think the ending was a little overly neat, especially after the bombshell reveal of the brain tumor, but even so, this will make an excellent addition to my graphic novel section.

Stargazing was a cute look at friendships and growing up in Asian culture and the melodrama of elementary school friendship. While I liked the characters a lot, I actually wished the book had been longer. The characters were nicely developed but I thought the plot needed a bit more as it felt like it was moving along nicely and then quickly ended with the suddenness of Moon's illness. Jen Wang's art continues to be stunning and her characters always seem so full of life. I anxiously anticipate her next book.

This is a great look at middle school friendships. Christine is definitely unsure of herself and how she fits in with everyone. She and Moon have contrasting ways of being in the world. Their family situations are quite different to include rules, food, and religion among other things. They are both Chinese American, but even that is expressed in very different ways. Middle school friendships are often complicated and Jen Wang showed that friends can be awesome, but also have the power to hurt each other deeply.

The book has some serious situations in it and it resolves in a bit of a rush. There are also a few violent incidents that are not fully addressed, but overall, the story is compelling and the characters will pull readers in.

Young readers are bound to love this fun contemporary story especially if they are K-pop fans.

Jen Wang has such a way with storytelling that always manages to make me smile and laugh while still punching me in the heart with feels (in a good way), and Stargazing followed that trend beautifully. I absolutely adored this graphic novel! Moon and Christine are both so precious, and they feel like real kids, you know? The diversity represented is so sweet and the commentary on biracial and/or Asian-American kids feeling "not Asian enough" made my chest ache for friends who have told me they've gone through similar things.

On top of the story itself being so precious and offering up such a lovely story of friendship and overcoming insecurities and loneliness, there's also the art, which is iconic and stunning and sweet. I adore how expressive the characters are and the color palette used — Jen's style is one of my all-time favorites.

I can't add this to my library's order list fast enough and know that I'm going to be recommending this book to anyone and everyone who will listen to me rave about it!

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

After The Prince and the Dressmaker I have been trying to read all of Wang's previous and forthcoming work. Stargazing is a touching middle grade graphic novel about new experiences, not feeling Asian enough, and friendship. It's a story about making mistakes, feeling so utterly alone, and trying to make up for hurting those we care about. I could deeply empathize with both Christine and Moon, but Moon's story touched me the most emotionally.

Growing up adopted, I always got the sense I wasn't "Asian" enough. I didn't feel the pressure to be perfect as much as Christine struggles with, but Moon's feelings of not fitting in resonated with me. Feeling like there are spaces we don't belong in, conversations we don't understand, and things we can never relate to. It has the same charming illustration as The Prince and the Dressmaker, although with less dresses, and presents a contemporary story about growing up and navigating the pressures and expectations.

This was my second Wang graphic novel I’ve read and even though I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as The
Prince and the Dressmaker, it was still really cute and entertaining. I loved reading the Afterword and seeing where the story originated for Wang. I look forward to her next graphic novel.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and First Second Books for this ARC!

Jen Wang continues to write heartwarming, self discovery stories. The art is well done and a bit whimsical to match the circumstances. The friendship of two Chinese American girls from different circumstances is sweet and inspiring.

Stargazing by Jen Wang is a graphic novel about two friends, Moon and Christine. Their friendship goes through the typical middle grade ups and downs, while putting them to the test with a health scare.

Are you looking for your next favorite graphic novel? Stargazing by Jen Wang is the story of friendship, trying to fit in and live up to parental expectations. It features authentic, relatable Asian American characters. Swift, enjoyable read.

The minute I finished reading The Prince and the Dressmaker, which turned out to be the best graphic novel I've ever read, I know I had to read the next thing Jen Wang had coming. I read her previous graphic novels--In Real Life and Koko Be Good--but getting an ARC of Stargazing from Netgalley was a real treat and I flew through it! Can't wait to see these beautiful pages in real life, in my hands.

Christine is a smart girl, studious, a good daughter, and when her family offers their guest house to a local family in need, she's a bit reluctant to get to know the daughter, Moon. Moon's got a reputation for fighting, but soon she and Christine bond over K-pop and dancing and being young girls, painting their toe nails, doing homework together, etc.There's a bit of a cultural divide, with Moon being raised by an Asian mother and Christine by Asian parents who push her to be her best and have lots of rules and expectations for her. But Christine likes Moon, even if soon Moon is more popular than her and she often feels left out, especially when she's working hard to meet her parent's expectations of herself. But there's something about Moon that draws you in. But when soemthing happens to Moon and she ends up in the hospital, Christine learns a new lesson about friendship. Inspired loosely by a true event in the author's life, this book is sweet and vulnerable and real and supremely well-drawn and colored.

I seriously can't get enough of Jen Wang's work. It's so beautiful, it tugs at your heart strings, and you don't want to put it down. There's friendship and a little bit of drama (realistic drama) and sweet moments and have I mentioned how beautiful Wang's drawings are? Seriously, I would wallpaper my house with her drawings. Can't wait to see what's next from her

ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Friendship, jealousy, Chinese-American coming-of-age and a little big of tragedy. Jen Wang (whose In Real Life work I love) gives us an ultimately heartwarming story about childhood inspired by her own experiences. The themes were similar to American-Born Chinese, which makes sense, as this is another story with a focus on heritage and identity. I highly recommend this book.

Rating 4.5/5

hank you to Netgalley and First Second for providing me with a copy if this book in exchange for an honest review. 

For such a short graphic novel this story is hard hitting yet incredibly sweet at the same time. This is a story about friendship, and finding yourself. The main character Christine is torn between being true to herself and living up to her parents expectations. Its definitely a story I would recommend to young girls. 

I think the fact that this story was influenced by her own experiences growing up made this book even more special. I really loved this story and will definitely be picking up Jen Wang's other books!

Loved, loved, loved, this book. I pre-ordered it 20 pages in. It was such wonderful way to see myself reflected in the writing and drawings. The heart of the story is what drew me in the most. Jen Wang has done it again with another insightful and delicately done way to introduce hard topics to younger readers.

Stargazing by Jen Wang is the story of Moon and Christine. Two girls who become friends despite their different personalities.
The art work is absolutely perfect for this story. It was very easy to get invested in Moon and Christine's stories. This is a perfect book for a middle grade and young adult audience.

I felt this was a solid read that many tweens will enjoy. Having a child character going through a medical crisis is something that will be good for kids going through that themselves, and their peers to read about. I also really enjoyed the trying friendship dynamics, and how they were overcome. I think this will be very encouraging and endearing for readers.

Stargazing is a gorgeous graphic novel! It is hopeful to see that the families represented in the novel are caring and loving, and supportive of other families around them. The characters are interesting and experience situations that are both true to real life, as well as unique. They evoke reader empathy for their situations. The afterword was special, and so was including the personal photos. Overall, a well done and enjoyable read.

Readers will enjoy reading about family, friendship, and illness in this captivating graphic novel. The illustrations and story line were superb. Readers should also read the afterword to get more of the author's background.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this title for an honest review.

Stargazing, touches on so many themes that kids can relate too; like friendships, families, and different cultures. There are even lessons here for kids on friendship, jealousy, communication, and illness. I felt that this was a lovely graphic novel that many kids maybe able to see themselves in. I wasn't sure about the bit of a twist that happened towards the end, it kind of threw me off. But overall I found the illustrations really great and the story one I can see kids enjoying.

Another great graphic novel for young readers to adults! Thanks again to NetGalley and First Second for allowing me to read this ARC. I fell in love with the cover and description, and of course the author (who wrote “The Prince and the Dressmaker”), so I knew I had to read it! The title also fits in well with our summer reading theme ⭐️

Christine and Moon become the best of friends and they learn a lot about their similarities and differences, but they have fun along the way. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves graphic novels about friendship and art/dance. This book provides it all.

What a sweet story about friendship, family, identity, and trauma. Jen Wang has done it again with Stargazing and I know children and teens will love it as I have!