Paperback, 224 pages
Release Date: September 10, 2019Published by: First Second
Read from: October 20, 2019Stand-aloneSource: LibraryTW:For fans of: Friends, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, POC MC, Diverse Author, Own Voices
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.
When Moon’s family moves in next door to Christine’s, Moon goes from unlikely friend to best friend―maybe even the perfect friend. The girls share their favorite music videos, paint their toenails when Christine’s strict parents aren’t around, and make plans to enter the school talent show together. Moon even tells Christine her deepest secret: that she sometimes has visions of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Who reassure her that earth isn’t where she really belongs.
But when they’re least expecting it, catastrophe strikes. After relying on Moon for everything, can Christine find it in herself to be the friend Moon needs?
New York Times–bestselling author-illustrator Jen Wang draws on her childhood to paint a deeply personal yet wholly relatable friendship story that’s at turns joyful, heart-wrenching, and full of hope.
*MY THOUGHTS*
After reading The Prince and the Dress Maker, I knew I had to read anything and everything else that had Jen Wang’s name on it. She’s so talented and it was such a hard time waiting on this one to come out.
When Moon and her mom move to the neighborhood, Christine and her make fast friends. But as it turns out, they are really different than each other. But out of nowhere, things get complicated quickly, and Christine feels really bad at the things she thought about and the things she did as Moon’s friend.
First I want to talk about the art, because let’s be honest…. It’s INCREDIBLE. I found myself taking pictures while I was reading so I could remember some of my favorites. If you haven’t read Jen Wang, do yourself a favor and at least go through and look at the art. You will not be sorry.
And then there’s the writing itself. This book definitely made me remember to always read the synopsis for a book. I didn’t for this one and found myself in tears when the catastrophe struck. Normally I wouldn’t cry, but this one caught me off guard and it’s children. And what’s best, I didn’t even realize I had been crying until I felt it drip onto my shirt. But don’t get me wrong, it’s still a great book and really shows the importance of friendship.
This served as a confirmation for me. That I will read anything Jen Wang writes. She is amazing and so is all of her work. Even if you aren’t partial to graphic novels, I’m sure you can find something to like, whether its the beautiful story, the awesome art, or the great characters.
Overall, I give this
