Book Series Guide

Author guide

Jen Wang Books in Order

Jen Wang is an American cartoonist, writer, and illustrator based in Los Angeles. She is the author-illustrator of Koko Be Good, The Prince and the Dressmaker, Stargazing, and Ash's Cabin, and co-created In Real Life with Cory Doctorow. Her honors include Eisner Awards, the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association Children's Literature Award, and the Fauve d'Angoulême Youth Award. She is also a co-founder and organizer of Comic Arts LA.

graphic novelsyoung adult fictionmiddle-grade fictioncontemporary fictionfairy-tale fiction

Catalog record updated .

Jen Wang's Newest Book

Cover of Ash's Cabin

Ash's Cabin

graphic-novel · First published 2024

Ash has always felt alone. Adults ignore the climate crisis. Other kids Ash’s age are more interested in pop stars and popularity contests than in fighting for change. Even Ash’s family seems to be sleepwalking through life. The only person who ever seemed to get Ash was their Grandpa Edwin. Before he died, he used to talk about building a secret cabin, deep in the California wilderness. Did he ever build it? What if it’s still there, waiting for him to come back…or for Ash to find it? To Ash, that maybe-mythical cabin is starting to feel like the perfect place for a fresh start and an escape from the miserable feeling of alienation that haunts their daily life. But making the wilds your home isn’t easy. And as much as Ash wants to be alone…can they really be happy alone? Can they survive alone? From New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator Jen Wang comes a singularly affecting story about self-discovery, self-reliance, and the choice to live when it feels like you have no place in the world.

Not sure where to begin?

Start with one of these

Cover of The Prince and the Dressmaker

The Prince and the Dressmaker

A widely acclaimed, self-contained graphic novel and an accessible introduction to Wang's work.

Cover of Stargazing

Stargazing

A warm, self-contained middle-grade graphic novel that showcases Wang's autobiographical storytelling.

Outside the series

Bibliography by category

Novels (5)
  1. Koko Be Good

    graphic-novel · 2010

    "Koko's always got a new project cooking, even though they usually end in total disaster. This time will be different, Koko promises herself. This time, she's decided to Be Good. But how can a girl whose greatest talent is causing trouble…

  2. In Real Life

    graphic-novel · 2014

  3. The Prince and the Dressmaker

    graphic-novel · 2018

    Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride—or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady…

  4. Stargazing

    graphic-novel · 2019

  5. Ash's Cabin

    graphic-novel · 2024

    Ash has always felt alone. Adults ignore the climate crisis. Other kids Ash’s age are more interested in pop stars and popularity contests than in fighting for change. Even Ash’s family seems to be sleepwalking through life. The only…

Frequently asked questions about Jen Wang

Who is Jen Wang?

Jen Wang is an award-winning author and illustrator of graphic novels for young readers, based in Los Angeles. She is also a co-founder and organizer of Comic Arts LA.

Source: jenwang.net (opens in a new tab)

What is Jen Wang’s cultural background?

Wang was born and raised in California’s Bay Area, and her parents immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in the 1980s. She has described growing up Chinese American and feeling caught between cultures.

Source: iexaminer.org (opens in a new tab)

How did Jen Wang get started as a cartoonist?

She began drawing webcomics in high school and connected with other cartoonists online. In college, she contributed to the Flight anthology, which helped connect her with a literary agent and launch her graphic-novel career.

Source: iexaminer.org (opens in a new tab)

What influences Jen Wang’s storytelling?

Wang draws on her childhood and experiences growing up around other Chinese Americans, especially when exploring identity and belonging. She has also cited Chinese-translated manga and creators Rumiko Takahashi and Chiho Saitou as formative influences.

Sources: publishersweekly.com (opens in a new tab)iexaminer.org (opens in a new tab)

What awards has Jen Wang won?

She won two 2019 Eisner Awards for The Prince and the Dressmaker: Best Publication for Teens and Best Writer/Artist. The book also won the 2018 Harvey Award for Best Children or Young Adult Book.

Sources: comic-con.org (opens in a new tab)harveyawards.com (opens in a new tab)