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sbloom's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
finesilkflower's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thoughtful and grounded graphic novel depiction of anxiety in a 10-year-old protagonist. Fung cleverly externalizes Livy's anxiety as 'Viola', shadow version of herself, whispering negative messages, laughing when she fails, and interpreting everything people say in the worst light. Sometimes, Livy is able to drown out these messages by engaging in tasks that make her feel good about herself, like art, but when she's feeling insecure, that negative voice is harder to ignore. Toward the end of the book, Livy goes to a therapist learns some specific tools for breaking out of a panic spiral, which the book explains. Livy's insecurities are simple but powerful (friend group drama, money and social class, extended family judgment, etc). Her experience as a second-generation immigrant is integrated as both a source of specific problems as well as joy and pride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, and Mental illness
library_kb's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is a really important graphic novel for elementary and middle school. It follows a middle school girl who struggles with anxiety, which is portrayed as another version of her. I think this one would be a great book for discussion, especially because of the way that it portrays strategies that students can use to combat anxiety, like grounding and separating their identities from their anxiety.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
emily_mh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This graphic novel had some immaculate, accurate, and informative mental illness representation. It perfectly showed how mental health gets worse and what this looks like, and what anxiety and panic attacks can feel like, too. It also clearly demonstrated the signs to look out for, both in yourself and in others, of poor mental health. For these reasons this is such a great and important book for middle-graders to have, both ones looking to see themselves represented and for those who want/need to learn about mental illness.
So many important topics are explored in relation to mental health, such as the stigmatisation of mental illness, social pressure to be a good daughter specifically as a Chinese-Canadian kid, racism and internalised racism, and misogyny and how this impacts self-esteem. The book also includes a friendship plotline that explores toxic and healthy friendship behaviours. Not all of these topics are clearly resolved by the end, but it was important that they were included as it demonstrated the intersectionality of mental illness and showed the dynamism of Livy's character.
And Livy was an excellent character. As somebody who also has GAD and panic disorder, I really saw myself in her. And she was just so sweet and creative and desperately trying to do the right thing. My heart went out to her on every page. I'm so glad her story exists for others to read!
As a final note, the art style was simple and sketchy and I liked the red/warm undertones.
So many important topics are explored in relation to mental health, such as the stigmatisation of mental illness, social pressure to be a good daughter specifically as a Chinese-Canadian kid, racism and internalised racism, and misogyny and how this impacts self-esteem. The book also includes a friendship plotline that explores toxic and healthy friendship behaviours. Not all of these topics are clearly resolved by the end, but it was important that they were included as it demonstrated the intersectionality of mental illness and showed the dynamism of Livy's character.
And Livy was an excellent character. As somebody who also has GAD and panic disorder, I really saw myself in her. And she was just so sweet and creative and desperately trying to do the right thing. My heart went out to her on every page. I'm so glad her story exists for others to read!
As a final note, the art style was simple and sketchy and I liked the red/warm undertones.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexism, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Vomit, and Classism
Moderate: internalised racism Minor: disordered eating, climate change, volcano, hurricanebetweentheshelves's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this! The art style was fantastic, especially the way that Fung depicted anxiety throughout the book. It felt so realistic and there are middle grade readers who will connect with Livy. I especially appreciated the fact that her parents took notice about what was going on and got her the help she needed. It's portrayed in a way that's normal, and I love that middle grade readers will get to see that.
Livy's friends are also struggling with various things, and they realize that maybe they need each other. It feels like such a middle school friendship, from the art to the writing, and I think it just was so well done.
Livy's friends are also struggling with various things, and they realize that maybe they need each other. It feels like such a middle school friendship, from the art to the writing, and I think it just was so well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Minor: Racism
kindredbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I received a gifted copy of Living with Viola from Annick Press in exchange for an honest review.
Living with Viola by Rosena Fung is a graphic novel about a young girl, Livy who is starting at a new school. This is not the easiest experience for Livy as she feels the presence of her anxiety come to life, personified as an existence called Viola who is constantly belittling her and bringing her down. Livy finds that she is able to keep Viola at bay with her passion for drawing and the love of food that comes to life in her family home. But as things at school and home get messier, Livy finds it harder and harder to short down Viola’s voice. As others around Livy also begin to see the change in Livy, it is ultimately up to Livy to advocate for herself.
This was such an amazingly heartbreaking yet uplifting story to read. I really felt empathy for Livy and could truly feel the presence of Viola. This is sure to be a story that connects with readers as all individuals feel anxiety in one form or another. It is a story that will resonate with readers and also comfort many readers.
Living with Viola by Rosena Fung is a graphic novel about a young girl, Livy who is starting at a new school. This is not the easiest experience for Livy as she feels the presence of her anxiety come to life, personified as an existence called Viola who is constantly belittling her and bringing her down. Livy finds that she is able to keep Viola at bay with her passion for drawing and the love of food that comes to life in her family home. But as things at school and home get messier, Livy finds it harder and harder to short down Viola’s voice. As others around Livy also begin to see the change in Livy, it is ultimately up to Livy to advocate for herself.
This was such an amazingly heartbreaking yet uplifting story to read. I really felt empathy for Livy and could truly feel the presence of Viola. This is sure to be a story that connects with readers as all individuals feel anxiety in one form or another. It is a story that will resonate with readers and also comfort many readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Mental illness
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