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A review by pocketwatchcrow
Living with Viola by Rosena Fung
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