Stargazing

This contemporary graphic novel from Wang (The Prince and the Dressmaker) thrums with the quiet dramas of friendship and family, and showcases the diversity of the Chinese-American experience. When single mother YuWen Lin and her brash daughter Moon move into the Hongs' extra unit, Christine Hong isn't sure what to make of the new girl, a Buddhist vegetarian who loves to dance to K-pop, settles conflicts with her fists, and even confides that she belongs among the stars. Despite initially dismissing Moon as "not Asian," Christine swiftly discovers a best friend in the girl, who expands her horizons beyond violin, Chinese lessons, American pop, and her more traditional Chinese household. When calamity hurtles into their lives, Christine must scrutinize her conflicted feelings about navigating tensions friendly and familial. Wang's art is as expressive and fluid as ever, ripe with playful detail--from a Jeremy Lin simulacrum named Joseph Chu to generation-bridging references such as Sailor Moon and Pokémon--and the muted color palette, contributed by colorist Lark Pien, casts the book in a nostalgic glow. Plumbing the depths of Wang's childhood for inspiration, this rich, heart-filled narrative will resonate with any reader who has ever felt different within their community. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. Agent: Judy Hansen, Hansen Literary Agency. (Sept.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 3-6—With her surreal drawings, her penchant for bright nail polish, her lax study habits, and her inability to speak Chinese, Moon Li is nothing like the other kids in her Chinese American community. And she couldn't be more different from perfectionist Christine Hong. But when Christine's parents rent a property to Moon and her mother, who are having trouble making ends meet, it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Free-spirited Moon fascinates Christine. However, when Moon tells Christine that she has visions of celestial beings who will one day take her with them to the skies, where she'll finally fit in, Christine realizes that her new pal's confidence masks pain. And when Moon starts to connect with other classmates, Christine's own insecurities threaten their bond. Relying on a muted palette and careful linework, Eisner Award nominee Wang has crafted an understated, poignant tale of the joy and turmoil of budding friendship. She artfully laces her narrative with questions about identity as Christine and Moon quietly wonder about what it means to belong to a community. Though Wang doesn't provide pat answers, her characters do manage to carve out a place for themselves. VERDICT With this spot-on glimpse into the emotional landscape of tweens, Wang joins the ranks of middle grade masters Shannon Hale, Raina Telgemeier, and Cece Bell.-Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Wang tells a story that will ring true to just about any middle-schooler who's dealt with shifting friendships, but her additional insights into navigating differences within the Chinese American community will be a balm to readers in similar situations. 

"Intimate and sweet. I'd like to hand Stargazing to every kid I know." —Raina Telgemeier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Smile

"Touching, funny, and sweetly observed, Stargazing is everything a graphic novel should be. Jen Wang is a master cartoonist." —Vera Brosgol, award-winning author of Be Prepared and Anya's Ghost

"Just beautiful. Stargazing is warm and funny and packed with shout outs and nods to the Asian American experience. It feels SO wonderful to be seen!" —Kelly Yang, award-winning author of Front Desk

"Like a constellation, when you connect confusion, friendship, and hope, suddenly everything becomes clear. Jen Wang's Stargazing will have you laughing and crying as it takes you to the stars and back." —Lisa Yee, award-winning author of Millicent Min, Girl Genius

"A charming tale of friendship that feels familiar and comforting. Jen Wang is a gift to comics." —Nidhi Chanani, author of Pashmina