Characters
What is the name of the girl who becomes Christine's best friend?
Moon.
Who moves into the guest house behind Christines home?
Moon and her mother.
What is the main theme of the story?
Friendship
How is Stargazing connected to El Deafo by Cece Bell?
Both books explore themes of feeling different and navigating personal challenges—Moon with her health condition and Cece with her hearing impairment. Both characters seek to find their identity and a sense of belonging.
How can graphic novels like Stargazing support reluctant or struggling readers?
Graphic novels combine visual and textual storytelling, which can increase comprehension, and make reading feel more accessible and enjoyable for students who struggle with large blocks of text.
What instrument does Christine play?
Violin.
What causes Moon to go to the hospital?
She has a brain tumor
What does Christine struggle with throughout the story and how can this relate to how students may feel sometimes in school?
Being true to herself and meeting expectations. Students may feel pressure to fit in at times which creates a sense of relatability on the book
How is Stargazing connected to New Kid by Jerry Craft?
Both Stargazing and New Kid address the theme of fitting in and navigating friendships in new environments—Christine and Moon in their personal struggles, and Jordan in adjusting to a predominantly white school.
What literacy skills can students develop by reading and analyzing graphic novels?
They learn to read between the lines and connect images with text to understand character emotions and plot development.
What makes Moon different from other kids at school?
She has visions of celestial beings.
What causes a rift between Moon and Christine?
Christine shares one of Moon's secrets... leaving Moon’s sketchbook out, leading others to see her private drawings
what does Moon teach Christine?
To be more confident and creative
How is Stargazing connected to Invisible by Gonzalez & Epstein?
Both Stargazing and Invisible focus on identity and self-expression. Characters like Moon and Jorge Rivera grapple with being misunderstood or unseen, leading them to explore who they are and how they relate to others.
Why are graphic novels valuable tools for supporting social-emotional learning (SEL)?
Graphic novels often explore identity, belonging, and emotions in ways that are visually expressive and relatable. Characters face real-world problems that mirror student experiences, promoting empathy, reflection, and respectful dialogue about tough topics.
Who is Jessen?
The boy Christine has a crush on.
How does Christine try to make things right with Moon?
She visits Moon in the hospital and brings her a drawing.
How is cultural identity explored in the book and how can this be used in the classroom?
Christine feels pressure to follow traditional Chinese values. Opens a conversation about differences among cultures. student can have the opportunity to talk about their cultural differences
How is Stargazing connected to Rabbit Chase by LaPensée and Oster?
Both books incorporate themes of self-discovery and resilience, as Moon learns to cope with her health challenges and the characters in Rabbit Chase face struggles rooted in culture and personal growth.
How can teachers use graphic novels to promote cultural responsiveness and inclusion?
Graphic novels like New Kid, Invisible, and Rabbit Chase represent diverse voices, cultures, and perspectives, helping students see themselves in books. Teachers can use them to highlight underrepresented narratives and create a more inclusive curriculum
Christine's younger sibling.
What happens at the school talent show?
Christine performs alone because moon is in the hospital and she gains her confidence.
Christine struggles with this internal feeling throughout the book.
Jealousy
What are some main themes shared across Stargazing, El Deafo, New Kid, Invisible, and Rabbit Chase, and why is it important to have these books in your classroom?
The main shared themes include identity, belonging, friendship, cultural understanding, and resilience. These graphic novels center voices from diverse backgrounds and experiences, helping students see themselves reflected in literature and building empathy for others. Having these books in the classroom create inclusive learning, encourages social-emotional growth, and creates a space where differences are celebrated and valued.
How can using graphic novels like Stargazing support students in building empathy and understanding classmates’ diverse experiences?
shows real-life challenges—like illness and identity. When students engage with these stories, they step into others’ shoes, helping them develop empathy, compassion, and respect for diverse perspectives.