Indu is a boy from the moon who has never really felt like he belonged. His adoptive mother moved them from their spaceship to New Earth, and it’s been hard to find a place to fit in. His new classmates think he’s weird, his new family doesn’t seem to know what to do with him, and his new penpal suddenly ghosted him.

In a moment of loneliness, he calls out to the moon for help. The moon answers and promises to bring Indu back home to the moon on the first day of the New Year. But as the date draws near, Indu makes new friendships that might make him change his mind.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAlley for an advanced copy of Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo to review! This title caught my eye when I was scrolling NetGalley, and I am absolutely not disappointed. I loved this middle grade graphic novel from beginning to end.

Let’s start with the artwork. Every single panel throughout this book was gorgeous. The character design, the world building, the color palettes, I loved everything about it. It all works together so well to craft this emotional, fantastical story.

And the characters! Indu is such a sweet main character, trying to figure out how he fits in. Not only is he from the moon, but he’s also transgender. Part of his story is finding the queer community that accepts him for who he is. He finds people who understand, and makes connections that make him realize that his new home isn’t as bad as he thought it was. 

The side cast of characters were just as fleshed out as Indu. From his new stepfamily to his new friends that he makes, he eventually finds connections that make him want to stay. Indu’s story is one that a lot of middle grade readers will relate to, in a variety of different ways.

All in all, if you love queer middle grade graphic novels, definitely check this one out in May!