Reviews

Living with Viola by Rosena Fung

evaosterlee's review

emotional lighthearted 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

laurensalisbury'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? Yes

4.0

hjhill_55's review

emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

I have set this aside to read multiple times since it published & I am so glad I finally got to sit down with it today. 

My daughter’s reaction to me finishing it “I already read it - twice.” 

I enjoyed the artwork, characters, the relationships between the characters, and the link to mental health. 

queenkoko's review

5.0

I read this in one sitting and honestly it took me back to when I was in the 6th grade. The only difference is my parents weren't great and I didn't get help with my anxiety until my late 20's. I wonder how different my life would have been if I have sought help. Excellent read, the subject matter was handled nicely and I recommend everyone with anxiety to read it. The artwork was good as well.

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I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

kytwins's review

5.0

Reading this, I felt overwhelmed with the visual representation of Livy's anxiety and fear as she struggles to fit into a new school. I think that's exactly what we are supposed to feel--just as Livy feels it. This is a powerful visual representation of what many young people struggle with and shines the light on how mental illness effects so many teens. To add to the weight of all of her other issues, Livy feels the pressure from her Chinese relatives to do her duty and earn good grades so she can get into medical school someday. This poor girl is carrying so much, and I think a lot of kids her age who read this will relate to how she feels. This is a great book to share with middle schoolers.

rryep's review

4.0

**Mental Health - Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Cultural - Chinese, Family, Coming of Age
+biPOC characters (main)
+biPOC author
+Authors Note
+Cantonese Glossary
+Character Sketches

degreesofk's review

5.0

This book made me cry. I heavily feel like I can relate to this, along with some of my family and friends. I wish I had a book like this to explain how anxiety worked when I was a kid. I'm glad that there's books like these now to help children feel less alone.

mariam_thebookwormteacher's review

5.0

Excellent book for grades 4-8 about a child with severe anxiety/panic attacks. Extremely well-done in a graphic novel style including how anxiety/panic attacks literally close in on someone’s world and everything they think/see/hear. Currently on the finalists list for the Silver Birch award in 2023; see Forest of Reading if interested :)

ggrillion's review

emotional lighthearted 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

5.0

sarahcelia's review

funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Ended too quickly! A sweet, thoughtful, vibrantly illustrated book about learning to live with anxiety and the importance of asking for help. Perfect for young readers who need to be reminded that they aren’t alone in their anxieties or fears.