I liked this middle-grade graphic novel, though it had some surprises for me! The main character is Christine, whose rather strict Chinese-American family rents their backyard guest house to a single mother on hard times. Christine is wary of the new family’s daughter- Moon is her age, but has a very different, outgoing personality, and she’s heard rumors that Moon beats up other kids. They soon connect over a shared love of music, dancing, art and painting their nails. Even plan to enter the school talent show together. Christine feels like some of the activities Moon gets her involved with are rather daring, because against her parent’s rules (nothing shocking or dangerous though) whereas Moon shares with Christine a secret- that she sometimes sees stars and has “visions” of angels- she thinks she’s from the realm of the stars and really belongs there instead. Christine doesn’t know what to make of this (and neither did the reader). Meanwhile at school, Moon starts making other friends and Christine becomes jealous, but she also stars to back off from their friendship when she sees Moon react with violence to teasing. Then Moon suddenly faces a health crises, and Christine has to show she’s really a true friend.
The characters reminded me so much of The Girl From the Sea and This One Summer.
Borrowed from the public library.
