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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
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, hurricaneerikachung182's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I booked mark this up! So many instances that echoed my childhood. I felt seen and it was so heartening. If you come from an immigrant family, you’ll likely find this story resonating with you. This book is also meant for kids/tweens/teens, and it touches on mental health. Even though I’m well over that age group, I struggle with anxiety and I really appreciated how Rosena Fung is telling a story about mental health with cultural nuance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
betweentheshelves'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
dusktreader's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The illustrations are so much, whimsical and evocative! I loved meeting all the characters, especially Livy’s friends and mother.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
pocketwatchcrow's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing access to this book in exchange for an honest review.*
If I could give just one book to my 7th grade self, this would be the one.
In many ways, my middle school experience was different from Livy’s. I’m not the daughter of immigrants; nobody thought my lunch smelled weird; I didn’t have friends with way fancier houses than me. In so many more ways, I saw myself on every page. I wanted to pursue a creative career that my dad didn’t consider a “real job”. I liked “childish” things but sometimes hid them from my friends because I was embarrassed. I was sad, struggling, and afraid to ask for help.
I shared every single one of Livy’s fears that kept her from reaching out, from the fear that everyone really hated me to the fear that my parents would send me away if I told them what was happening inside me. I am glad that Livy lists her fears so that the trusted adults in her life can help her through them, and I know it will help others reading this book to reach out as well. Watching/reading Livy go through some coping activities near the end of the story is also beneficial, both so that readers have some things to try in their own life, and so they can get an idea of what it might be like to see a therapist. Even though Livy knows that her anxiety will always be there, this part was so hopeful, because now she knows that there are things she can do to feel better and that she has a support system around her. I’m thrilled that this book exists and I can’t wait to give it away once it comes out.
THIS BOOK IS GOING TO SAVE LIVES.
If I could give just one book to my 7th grade self, this would be the one.
In many ways, my middle school experience was different from Livy’s. I’m not the daughter of immigrants; nobody thought my lunch smelled weird; I didn’t have friends with way fancier houses than me. In so many more ways, I saw myself on every page. I wanted to pursue a creative career that my dad didn’t consider a “real job”. I liked “childish” things but sometimes hid them from my friends because I was embarrassed. I was sad, struggling, and afraid to ask for help.
I shared every single one of Livy’s fears that kept her from reaching out, from the fear that everyone really hated me to the fear that my parents would send me away if I told them what was happening inside me. I am glad that Livy lists her fears so that the trusted adults in her life can help her through them, and I know it will help others reading this book to reach out as well. Watching/reading Livy go through some coping activities near the end of the story is also beneficial, both so that readers have some things to try in their own life, and so they can get an idea of what it might be like to see a therapist. Even though Livy knows that her anxiety will always be there, this part was so hopeful, because now she knows that there are things she can do to feel better and that she has a support system around her. I’m thrilled that this book exists and I can’t wait to give it away once it comes out.
THIS BOOK IS GOING TO SAVE LIVES.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Bullying and Racism
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