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Lunar Boy: A Graphic Novel
For fans of The Witch Boy and Squished, Lunar Boy is a must-have heartwarming coming-of-age graphic novel about a young boy from the moon who discovers a home in the most unlikely places, from debut twin creators Jes and Cin Wibowo.
Indu, a boy from the moon, feels like he doesn’t belong. He hasn’t since he and his adoptive mom disembarked from their spaceship—their home—to live on Earth with their new blended family. The kids at school think he’s weird, he has a crush on his pen pal who might not like him back, and his stepfamily doesn’t seem to know what to do with him. Worst of all, Indu can’t even talk to his mom about how he’s feeling because she’s so busy.
In a moment of loneliness, Indu calls out to the moon, begging them to take him back. And against all odds, the moon hears him and agrees to bring him home on the first day of the New Year. But as the promised day draws nearer, Indu finds friendship in unlikely places and discovers that home is more than where you come from. And when the moon calls again, Indu must decide: Is he willing to give up what he’s just found?
Indu, a boy from the moon, feels like he doesn’t belong. He hasn’t since he and his adoptive mom disembarked from their spaceship—their home—to live on Earth with their new blended family. The kids at school think he’s weird, he has a crush on his pen pal who might not like him back, and his stepfamily doesn’t seem to know what to do with him. Worst of all, Indu can’t even talk to his mom about how he’s feeling because she’s so busy.
In a moment of loneliness, Indu calls out to the moon, begging them to take him back. And against all odds, the moon hears him and agrees to bring him home on the first day of the New Year. But as the promised day draws nearer, Indu finds friendship in unlikely places and discovers that home is more than where you come from. And when the moon calls again, Indu must decide: Is he willing to give up what he’s just found?
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2024
61 people are currently reading
7182 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 516 reviews
September 16, 2024
This was absolute perfection!
Have you ever read a graphic novel that taps into your emotions? Lunar Boy was an unexpected and joyous read for me. The positive queer rep, the inclusion of Indonesian, and Indonesian culture as well as it's connections to the queer community, the conversations about big changes, grief, and healing were all elements that made this such an immersive, enjoyable, and beautiful read. There are very few graphic novels in this world that have brought me to the brink of tears and Lunar Boy has officially made that list. Watching Indu's journey growing from a "moon child" to this thoughtful, kind, and endearing kid was beautiful. He experiences so many ups and downs, but the Wibowo twins always make sure that hope is somewhere close by.
Have you ever read a graphic novel that taps into your emotions? Lunar Boy was an unexpected and joyous read for me. The positive queer rep, the inclusion of Indonesian, and Indonesian culture as well as it's connections to the queer community, the conversations about big changes, grief, and healing were all elements that made this such an immersive, enjoyable, and beautiful read. There are very few graphic novels in this world that have brought me to the brink of tears and Lunar Boy has officially made that list. Watching Indu's journey growing from a "moon child" to this thoughtful, kind, and endearing kid was beautiful. He experiences so many ups and downs, but the Wibowo twins always make sure that hope is somewhere close by.
May 17, 2025
Lunar Boy is so adorable! My heart might burst 🥹 I’ve decided I like this niche genre of LGBTQ+ graphic novels set in space lol - this is not the only one I’ve read !! 🪐🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️💖 Space Gays 🫶
The story follows a young trans boy, Indu, who is from the moon and lives on a spaceship with his adoptive mother. They disembark from the spaceship to go and live on Earth with their new blended family. But Indu is finding it hard to adjust to life on Earth, he misses the tight-knit sense of community on the spaceship. He doesn’t speak Indonesian so is struggling to make friends at his new school. He is given a tutor to help him with the language barrier, a trans girl named Aminah. His new brother, Alon, is rejecting him and he isn’t sure why…
Indu feels so lonely that he calls to the moon, begging to return home to there. The moon agrees that he can come back, on the first day of the New Year. However, will Indy want to return after a school project brings him a new pen pal, Noah? He fast develops on crush on Noah, but the issue is that they are is in space. Will they meet when Noah visits Earth? Will this change Indu’s mind?
This is definitely one for anybody who has ever felt like they don’t fit in, and that all they want is to be understood, accepted, and loved. 🥺
5 stars ✨🚀
The story follows a young trans boy, Indu, who is from the moon and lives on a spaceship with his adoptive mother. They disembark from the spaceship to go and live on Earth with their new blended family. But Indu is finding it hard to adjust to life on Earth, he misses the tight-knit sense of community on the spaceship. He doesn’t speak Indonesian so is struggling to make friends at his new school. He is given a tutor to help him with the language barrier, a trans girl named Aminah. His new brother, Alon, is rejecting him and he isn’t sure why…
Indu feels so lonely that he calls to the moon, begging to return home to there. The moon agrees that he can come back, on the first day of the New Year. However, will Indy want to return after a school project brings him a new pen pal, Noah? He fast develops on crush on Noah, but the issue is that they are is in space. Will they meet when Noah visits Earth? Will this change Indu’s mind?
This is definitely one for anybody who has ever felt like they don’t fit in, and that all they want is to be understood, accepted, and loved. 🥺
5 stars ✨🚀
November 22, 2024
truly inconvenient how many times this made me cry
June 1, 2024
THIS WAS SO FREAKING CUTE. Seriously, go read this.
June 9, 2025
I loved the variety in characters, as well as the color palette and style.
March 21, 2024
"I already like you, Noah. Every part of you. Even the parts you're still figuring out." ✨️
I know that reading tastes vary, but no one is allowed to dislike this graphic novel!!
I know that reading tastes vary, but no one is allowed to dislike this graphic novel!!
January 27, 2024
QUEER KIDS FROM SPACE! QUEER KIDS FROM SPACE.
Storyline was excellent dealing with and working through changing family dynamics and starting over in new places. Throw in navigating identity and friendships and this was AMAZING. Also had Indonesian history which was lovely to learn about.
The art was absolutely stunning gorgeous amazing. I will be buying this book just to have the pictures. The color choices and overall artistic representation of this story were stunning. Right up there with Wingbearer.
HIGHLY recommend to all readers it was so wonderful and cute!
Storyline was excellent dealing with and working through changing family dynamics and starting over in new places. Throw in navigating identity and friendships and this was AMAZING. Also had Indonesian history which was lovely to learn about.
The art was absolutely stunning gorgeous amazing. I will be buying this book just to have the pictures. The color choices and overall artistic representation of this story were stunning. Right up there with Wingbearer.
HIGHLY recommend to all readers it was so wonderful and cute!
August 5, 2025
✨️ 4.25 stars ✨️
I walked in with zero expectations, and walked out absolutely loving this comic 🤩
So many thoughts: first, absolutely loved the space vibes. Perfectly ties in with the themes and just adds a ~ beautiful ~ visual aesthetic 🥰
I originally thought this book was gonna have higher stakes, as I didn't really know that it was gonna be more slice of life 😅 but it was still amazing, especially with such a great ensemble of characters and queer identities!!
Also, from a linguistic's perspective (🤭), I'm so happy they mentioned ✨️ language passivity ✨️ speaks to my soul 🥹 (and the fact that the comic is written in Indonesian too!!)
Most importantly, the author's are !¡! THIRD CULTURE KIDS !¡! I repeat: THIRD CULTURE KIDS!! I didn't even know this walking in, and I usually pride myself on finding tck authors, so I'm so happy I found this comic 🥹
I walked in with zero expectations, and walked out absolutely loving this comic 🤩
So many thoughts: first, absolutely loved the space vibes. Perfectly ties in with the themes and just adds a ~ beautiful ~ visual aesthetic 🥰
I originally thought this book was gonna have higher stakes, as I didn't really know that it was gonna be more slice of life 😅 but it was still amazing, especially with such a great ensemble of characters and queer identities!!
Also, from a linguistic's perspective (🤭), I'm so happy they mentioned ✨️ language passivity ✨️ speaks to my soul 🥹 (and the fact that the comic is written in Indonesian too!!)
Most importantly, the author's are !¡! THIRD CULTURE KIDS !¡! I repeat: THIRD CULTURE KIDS!! I didn't even know this walking in, and I usually pride myself on finding tck authors, so I'm so happy I found this comic 🥹
July 12, 2024
This is a wonderful story. There are struggles coming out and being trans (Indu) or bi (Noah), or Pan, coupled with changing family and living in a new place. But real friends pull together.
I liked the colorful graphics. The conversation flowed nicely, but got a little idealistic/preachy now and then. But that is EXACTLY what the designated younger reader of this book needs to see.
Lunar Boy (Indu) came from the moon to live in Indonesia. A little Sci Fi, but really the original moon-location just symbolizes our first simplistic life/location where everything seemed happy, and safe, and zero-decisions, and no need to understand your sexuality. But Lunar Boy and every other character in this story are growing up/older and need to understand how to accept changes.
Mid-book had a turning point for Indu when he came to the queer community center. His tour-guide told him:
In many of the old world's cultures, queer people used to be important leaders and spiritual figures. When our ancestral homeland was colonized, invaders forced the queer people of our islands into hiding or worse. So for the longest time, people on Earth thought there was something wrong with being queer. After all that's happened, queer people today are just trying to figure out how we fit back into everything again.
Indu was seeing the power of community and heritage. He would no longer take pity disguised as help from his peers. This change in Indu was nicely gradual throughout this book, helping the reader realize that all these small steps in the right direction can ultimately yield happy rewards.
Solid 4.5* to round up.
I liked the colorful graphics. The conversation flowed nicely, but got a little idealistic/preachy now and then. But that is EXACTLY what the designated younger reader of this book needs to see.
Lunar Boy (Indu) came from the moon to live in Indonesia. A little Sci Fi, but really the original moon-location just symbolizes our first simplistic life/location where everything seemed happy, and safe, and zero-decisions, and no need to understand your sexuality. But Lunar Boy and every other character in this story are growing up/older and need to understand how to accept changes.
Mid-book had a turning point for Indu when he came to the queer community center. His tour-guide told him:
In many of the old world's cultures, queer people used to be important leaders and spiritual figures. When our ancestral homeland was colonized, invaders forced the queer people of our islands into hiding or worse. So for the longest time, people on Earth thought there was something wrong with being queer. After all that's happened, queer people today are just trying to figure out how we fit back into everything again.
Indu was seeing the power of community and heritage. He would no longer take pity disguised as help from his peers. This change in Indu was nicely gradual throughout this book, helping the reader realize that all these small steps in the right direction can ultimately yield happy rewards.
Solid 4.5* to round up.
July 31, 2024
This was PRECIOUS
February 21, 2025
The opening pages look rather like an astronaut is rescuing the Little Prince from asteroid B-612, which was concerning to me because I don't much like that book. But then, I never really got to liking this book either, so I'll probably just keep them packed up together in the back of my brain.
The rescued child in this book eventually becomes known as Inpu Wulandari Muliadi, adopted by Dariya Muliadi, the spaceship captain who takes Inpu away from the little moon and eventually to a settlement on New Earth where they join a blended family by way of Dariya's marriage to a widower.
Indu is dealing with some heavy issues being a transgender boy and becomes downright unhappy with all the changes in home, family, school, and even language. Already a slow book -- and me in a bad mood because of the weather and a slip and fall -- Indu's long descent and slog through mopiness just really began to irk me. Even moreso when the moon from which Indu was rescued starts to telepathically reach out to Indu to coax him to return to it.
About that point I knew the book had lost me when all I could think was, "Yeah, why don't you go back to the moon and we can just call it a day. The End."
There's a heartwarming message in here, for sure, but it's just lost on me today. Too long, too slow, too mopey.
(Best of 2024 Project: I'm reading all the graphic novels that made it onto one or more of these lists:
• Washington Post 10 Best Graphic Novels of 2024
• Publishers Weekly 2024 Graphic Novel Critics Poll
• NPR's Books We Love 2024: Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels
This book made the NPR list.)
The rescued child in this book eventually becomes known as Inpu Wulandari Muliadi, adopted by Dariya Muliadi, the spaceship captain who takes Inpu away from the little moon and eventually to a settlement on New Earth where they join a blended family by way of Dariya's marriage to a widower.
Indu is dealing with some heavy issues being a transgender boy and becomes downright unhappy with all the changes in home, family, school, and even language. Already a slow book -- and me in a bad mood because of the weather and a slip and fall -- Indu's long descent and slog through mopiness just really began to irk me. Even moreso when the moon from which Indu was rescued starts to telepathically reach out to Indu to coax him to return to it.
About that point I knew the book had lost me when all I could think was, "Yeah, why don't you go back to the moon and we can just call it a day. The End."
There's a heartwarming message in here, for sure, but it's just lost on me today. Too long, too slow, too mopey.
(Best of 2024 Project: I'm reading all the graphic novels that made it onto one or more of these lists:
• Washington Post 10 Best Graphic Novels of 2024
• Publishers Weekly 2024 Graphic Novel Critics Poll
• NPR's Books We Love 2024: Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels
This book made the NPR list.)
January 1, 2025
Top tip: Always start the reading year with a comic to make you feel productive :)
Also this was really sweet
Also this was really sweet
June 11, 2024
Is it gay? Yes. Is it for the straights?? No!!!
June 2, 2025
This was neat. I wasn’t the target audience (in an age way. I clicked on all the queer graphic novels my library had, and this was in the mix) but I can see that this would be a good book for a younger audience to read. There are a lot of good messages about acceptance and all the other good stuff that kids (and unfortunately lots of adults) need to learn.
The story was fine. Ironically there were some parts that didn’t make sense to me but I think a kid who isn’t over-thinking things would have an easier time, hah.
The story was fine. Ironically there were some parts that didn’t make sense to me but I think a kid who isn’t over-thinking things would have an easier time, hah.
August 15, 2025
This was so heartwarming and gentle. Soft / soft. Review to come.
Read
June 25, 2025Absolutely adored this. Read like a Pixar movie in the best way. Highly recommend.
January 1, 2025
FIRST READ OF 2025 AND I AM ABSOLUTELY NOT CRYING.
The vibes are like The Little Prince x Steven Universe, but make it queer and place it in an Indonesian background/setting. I thought this was so well done—from the art itself (which was so beautiful) and the storytelling (profoundly wholesome!).
I loved the Indonesian rep! I don't think I've read a YA or MG mainly featuring Indonesian culture yet, so I really appreciated this one. I also appreciated how Indu's struggles with fitting in the community were highlighted and handled. The parts about passive fluency was also really interesting! (Which oddly enough I could relate to, because I could understand my parents' Ilonggo dialect, but I'm not that confident speaking it). And while the parts in Indonesian weren't exactly translated (and that's honestly fine with me, I love that), it's also funny and cool that I feel like I could see a few similarities between Bahasa Indonesia and Filipino.
The queer rep was also so good! Like almost everyone is queer?! Hell yes please. This story featured transmasc and transfem cast, nonbinary minor characters, aroace/lesbian questioning character, panromantic character. I don't know, but I really liked that I got to see all of these identities, because, like Indu, knowing someone is queer is some form of relief and awe for me. I could totally relate to that. I also really liked Indu discovering community and learning that he can share their history as well, and be a part of them moving forward. That particular scene when someone was telling Indu about queer people trying to fit in? Yeah, I cried in that one, thanks.
Also I have to say, I also REALLY loved that one of the main points or lesson in this was that going through changes (whether painful or no) is okay. Because that's what it's like to be human. We change and we welcome it, much like Indu's experiences and the people around him.
Overall, I thought this was amazing. Maybe it's not that perfect? (like I wanted some more world-building elements), but I'm giving 5 stars just because of the overall story and how it made me feel. 🥺
The vibes are like The Little Prince x Steven Universe, but make it queer and place it in an Indonesian background/setting. I thought this was so well done—from the art itself (which was so beautiful) and the storytelling (profoundly wholesome!).
I loved the Indonesian rep! I don't think I've read a YA or MG mainly featuring Indonesian culture yet, so I really appreciated this one. I also appreciated how Indu's struggles with fitting in the community were highlighted and handled. The parts about passive fluency was also really interesting! (Which oddly enough I could relate to, because I could understand my parents' Ilonggo dialect, but I'm not that confident speaking it). And while the parts in Indonesian weren't exactly translated (and that's honestly fine with me, I love that), it's also funny and cool that I feel like I could see a few similarities between Bahasa Indonesia and Filipino.
The queer rep was also so good! Like almost everyone is queer?! Hell yes please. This story featured transmasc and transfem cast, nonbinary minor characters, aroace/lesbian questioning character, panromantic character. I don't know, but I really liked that I got to see all of these identities, because, like Indu, knowing someone is queer is some form of relief and awe for me. I could totally relate to that. I also really liked Indu discovering community and learning that he can share their history as well, and be a part of them moving forward. That particular scene when someone was telling Indu about queer people trying to fit in? Yeah, I cried in that one, thanks.
"In many of the old world's cultures, queer people used to be important leaders and spiritual figures.
So for the longest time, people on Earth thought there was something wrong with being queer.
When our ancestral homeland was colonized, invaders forced the queer people of our islands into hiding or worse.
After all that's happened, queer people today are just trying to figure out how we fit back into everything again."
Also I have to say, I also REALLY loved that one of the main points or lesson in this was that going through changes (whether painful or no) is okay. Because that's what it's like to be human. We change and we welcome it, much like Indu's experiences and the people around him.
Overall, I thought this was amazing. Maybe it's not that perfect? (like I wanted some more world-building elements), but I'm giving 5 stars just because of the overall story and how it made me feel. 🥺
[ Marking this book as part of my reading challenge: Read Queerly 2025.
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Storygraph | Fable | Blog ]
March 29, 2025
This was such a cute comic. The art was very whimsical, the characters felt very real and unique, and I really loved all the cultural information.
Such a good encapsulation about loneliness, identity, queerness, family, and all the additional angst that being a teenager brings and heightens these things with.
It definitely got me in my feels just a little tiny bit, but nothing overwhelming. I would love to see more pieces like this!
Such a good encapsulation about loneliness, identity, queerness, family, and all the additional angst that being a teenager brings and heightens these things with.
It definitely got me in my feels just a little tiny bit, but nothing overwhelming. I would love to see more pieces like this!
October 26, 2025
Representation: queer trans Indonesian protagonist, Muslim Indonesian secondary and tertiary characters, panromantic Indonesian secondary character, bisexual trans Indonesian secondary character, queer Muslim Indonesian secondary character, queer non-binary Chinese-Indonesian secondary character, trans Indonesian tertiary character, queer tertiary characters.
Content Warning: misgendering, grief.
Lunar Boy was such an original, unique tale and I was brought to tears more than once.
Content Warning: misgendering, grief.
Lunar Boy was such an original, unique tale and I was brought to tears more than once.
January 15, 2024
“I already like you. Every part of you. Even the parts you’re still figuring out.”
🌕
Indu was discovered on the moon by his now-adopted mother. Together they live on a spaceship where Indu is happy, but when his mother has to return home, Indu now must learn how to coexist with his new family. He feels like his new dad doesn’t get him, his siblings won’t talk to him, the kids at school think he’s weird and he can’t talk to his mom about it because she’s so busy. When Indu reaches out to the moon asking to return, the moon agrees, but as the date grows near, Indu finds himself becoming more human on earth. When the moon pulls him back, will he want to go?
🌙
This was such a feel-good MG book about belonging, found family and connections. I loved how the authors weaved Indonesian culture and trans discovery into the story. Fans of Witch Boy and Galaxy: The Prettiest Star will love this novel. I can’t wait to get this graphic novel into my collection on May 14!
CW: coming out (theme), adoption, language barriers, some minor bullying
🌕
Indu was discovered on the moon by his now-adopted mother. Together they live on a spaceship where Indu is happy, but when his mother has to return home, Indu now must learn how to coexist with his new family. He feels like his new dad doesn’t get him, his siblings won’t talk to him, the kids at school think he’s weird and he can’t talk to his mom about it because she’s so busy. When Indu reaches out to the moon asking to return, the moon agrees, but as the date grows near, Indu finds himself becoming more human on earth. When the moon pulls him back, will he want to go?
🌙
This was such a feel-good MG book about belonging, found family and connections. I loved how the authors weaved Indonesian culture and trans discovery into the story. Fans of Witch Boy and Galaxy: The Prettiest Star will love this novel. I can’t wait to get this graphic novel into my collection on May 14!
CW: coming out (theme), adoption, language barriers, some minor bullying
January 27, 2024
A beautiful, heartbreaking and heartwarming story about feeling alone, finding family, belonging, queer community and learning how to love yourself and make a place for yourself amidst great change.
This graphic novel has gorgeous illustrations and boasts a full cast of queer characters. I absolutely loved every minute of this book and can't recommend it enough, especially for fans of Across a field of starlight by Blue Delliquanti.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
This graphic novel has gorgeous illustrations and boasts a full cast of queer characters. I absolutely loved every minute of this book and can't recommend it enough, especially for fans of Across a field of starlight by Blue Delliquanti.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
January 13, 2025
Such a love letter to trans people and different kinds of families. A question of if the little prince was set in a queer future straight out of science fiction. The art was stunning and considering all of the different types of familial bonds in this book, I love that it was created by two siblings. This is definitely an underrated graphic novel, and I think it may be a new favorite. These siblings might be up there with Tillie Walden and the Tamaki cousins as must-read authors for me.
April 6, 2025
It's nice to be reminded of a world where queer and trans culture existed before now. Across the world. I'm so inundated with western thought that I forget the world over is queer and trans and wants to go back to a time when it was normal and celebrated--to celebrate it in the future together as a community.
May 15, 2024
Very cute and precious story about a trans boy finding himself and his place within his community and family.
I especially loved to see the (gender)queer experiences within the Indonesian culture that the Wibowo siblings show us in all their colors.
I especially loved to see the (gender)queer experiences within the Indonesian culture that the Wibowo siblings show us in all their colors.
March 6, 2025
Welp… now I know the moon’s pronouns. 😅
This started out a bit rocky. Language barriers… so many characters feeling all of their feelings out loud. But as the story progressed, it really grew on me. It’s a sweet story. The art work is easy on the eyes too. 😁
This started out a bit rocky. Language barriers… so many characters feeling all of their feelings out loud. But as the story progressed, it really grew on me. It’s a sweet story. The art work is easy on the eyes too. 😁
March 27, 2025
LOVED this one. such a beautiful portrayal of queerness, within yourself and also across generations. loved the science fiction nature of it too. some of the art here took my breath away, especially near the end. so glad i read!
December 4, 2025
Just the sweetest graphic novel. Themes of change, belonging, growth, and acceptance in the face of personal turbulence. So forgiving and kind to all the characters. Entirely queer with so many diff forms of representation. <3
March 7, 2025
The art in this book is stunning and the story is so sweet and heartfelt. Loved!
June 17, 2025
Rep: Indonesian cast & setting, trans queer MC, trans bi character, questioning Muslim side character, enby bi side character, panromantic side character, Muslim side characters
When it comes to my reading, Pride month hasn't been going that well. My average star rating for the month so far is 3.57... the lowest this year. Lunar Boy FINALLY gave me my first 5 star rating for the month. That was so sweet and soft and cozy and DELIGHTFUL. I found myself tearing up.
When it comes to my reading, Pride month hasn't been going that well. My average star rating for the month so far is 3.57... the lowest this year. Lunar Boy FINALLY gave me my first 5 star rating for the month. That was so sweet and soft and cozy and DELIGHTFUL. I found myself tearing up.
December 30, 2024
This is like the confusing version of The Little Prince if it were queer and Indonesian. Everyone is queer. Everyone speaks a different language (can someone explain to me why Lastri is the only one in the family who doesn’t speak the same language as Indu???). Everyone lives in space. There are a million things going on and problems get solved too fast. The relationships are cute, but I literally could not explain what was going on plot-wise. 10/10 would read a book all about Aminah and Alon though
Displaying 1 - 30 of 516 reviews