Stars in Their Eyes: A Graphic Novel

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Author(s)

Jessica Walton

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Aska

Publisher

Graphix

Genre(s)

Age Range

12+

Release Date

August 01, 2023

ISBN

978-1338818796

Buy This Book

In this lighthearted YA romance, Maisie and Ollie discover that nothing beats the feeling of falling in love for the first time.

Maisie is on her way to Fancon! She's looking forward to meeting her idol, Kara Bufano, the action hero from her favorite TV show, who has a lower-leg amputation, just like Maisie. But when Maisie and her mom arrive at the convention center, she is stopped in her tracks by Ollie, a cute volunteer working the show. They are kind, charming, and geek out about nerd culture just as much as Maisie does. And as the day wears on, Maisie notices feelings for Ollie that she's never had before. Is this what it feels like to fall in love?

Perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, this graphic novel debut is a fresh, one-of-a-kind story that celebrates the excitement of meeting someone special for the first time.

Editor review

1 review

Beyond Adorable

August 14, 2023

Overall rating

4.8

Plot

5.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Stars in Their Eyes was beyond adorable!
The MCs are younger (14 & 15), and are representing so much.
- Non Binary
- Bisexual
- Chronic Pain
- Missing Limb
Just to name a few! The romance was so sweet. Ollie and Maisie hit it off almost instantly, it was too cute.

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful! The colors really pop and lends that classic comic feel.
The chapter [title] photos were some of my favorites. They give a sense of what the chapter is going to contain.

The pop-fest/comic convention was fun. The author/illustrator accurately portrayed how hectic and overwhelming those events can be. The not so subtle references to popular fantasy/sci-fi media were fun.

I loved that the parents had a prominent roll in this graphic novel, and that they support their children 1000% percent. The parents (Jo and Joe) were hilarious. They added a nice amount of comedic relief when the story was getting too heavy.

I found the dialogue a bit lacking, but I feel like perhaps that is a common theme when reading books aimed for young teens.
The message about the importance of representation in media is also a much-needed one and this book is a great addition for disabled, queer teen readers.