Stargazing

All the tears. Dang, I'm a sap. More to come.

When is it good to stand out being unique and be considered cool or to stand out being unique but instead of being cool, you are known as the odd-ball? We meet Moon and Christine, a pair of Chinese American, Middle school-aged girls who are two polar opposite girls who became friends, and knowing when one becomes more popular, what will you do as she eclipses you?

We first meet Christine at a violin recital. Her family is in attendance and her father is busy taking photos of her, as many proud parents do. Later she is greeted by her family and while they do offer her some praise, they focus on things they didn’t care for such as her collar being opened as she played. Christine also sees her “rival” Stephanie receive a bouquet of roses after her performance. Her father encourages Christine to join the talent show but Christine does not want to for the fear of being outshined by Stephanie, who will be joining, as well.

We later segue to Christine and her family are at church as they are eating and comingling with other church members. The grown-ups are chatting and the kids are playing. We then see Moon helping herself to some food. Others comment Moon is stealing food for her and her mother, Mrs. Lin since neither of them attends their church. In reality, it was their pastor who invited Moon to partake in the meal as her mother owns the nursery next door and they are a bit hard up for money. People are so quick to judge. Feeling bad over their initial impression of Moon, Christine’s parents decide to help by clearing out their extra unit where their grandpa resided and rent it out to Moon and her mother. They also donate a lot of things to clear out space.

Vivian, Christine’s younger sister is scared of Moon and both she and Christine have heard Moon beats people up and they along with the other kids from church deemed Moon to be a weirdo. In reality, she just marches to her own beat. As different as Christine and Moon are, Christine is forced to greet Moon, and soon, she sees they actually have things in common, such as both loving music. Christine’s parents always expect her to be a perfectionist and to concentrate on being with the norm. Moon’s mom allows Moon to be as creative as she is, which includes Moon believing she is from outer space as she often sees and draws stars and her friends, extraterrestrial ladies in long flowing dresses. Moon also shows Christine how to dance and they decide to join the talent show together performing a dance routine based on Chara, a popular K-pop singer, and rapper, and dancer.

As they bond, Moon shows Christine different views and lifestyle choices Moon and her mom Mrs. Lin have made. They are Buddhist thus, they are vegetarians. Mrs. Lin allows Moon to paint her nails but Christine is not allowed to. The most popular girl in the school, Madison befriends Moon and later decides to become vegetarian as well and at one point, both Madison and Moon go after school for boba tea. They invited Christine but she had received a C on her math test and starts to avoid Moon.

As Moon’s popularity suddenly grows, Christine is feeling more alienated and becomes resentful towards Moon. Things come to a halt at Madison’s birthday party and things are about to go from embarrassing to really bad and someone winds up in the hospital.

Read this heartwarming and sweet, coming-of-age graphic novel to find out what happens next.

Beautiful story.