Living with Viola is a new middle grade graphic novel that follows middle schooler Livy, a Chinese Canadian, as she navigates her way through life dealing with school, friends, and family. Middle school is hard enough, but Livy is in a constant battle with Viola -- her anxiety personified in a figment only she can see and hear.

This is Rosena Fung's debut graphic novel, and she doesn't shy away from taking difficult topics like mental health. As someone who struggles with their own Viola constantly telling them that they are not good enough, this book touched my heart.

The illustrations are exceptionally done. I enjoyed the creativity and detail that was put into each frame.

No one can deny the popularity of graphic novels among tweens and teens. In recent years, more and more authors have discovered this platform for addressing common issues that middle and high school students face, such as bullying, body image, anxiety, grief, and self-criticism. Living with Viola is one more example of a graphic novel which has a main character grappling with mental health and emotional issues. Livy struggles to live up to her family’s high expectations. Self-doubt constantly rears its ugly head in the form of Viola, a voice (drawn as sort of an imaginary enemy) that Livy constantly hears criticizing everything she does. Her Asian family expects her to have lofty goals to be a doctor or lawyer, but Livy loves to draw. They expect her to be outgoing, but Livy is extremely anxious. It isn’t until Livy makes some new friends who accept her as she is that she begins to be able to push Viola away. The illustrations in this graphic novel are also engaging and fun, with fantastical dumplings, unicorns, and explosions of pink. Many tweens and teens will see themselves in this book. The subject matter will be very relatable to students with anxiety problems, and Livy’s solution will help some of them find hope. Even those who don’t see Livy’s solutions as helpful to them might still be able to gain some advice from the parts of the book where Livy visits a therapist. Overall, another solid graphic novel to help those struggling with anxiety.

This was a well done graphic novel about a number of different topics that were woven together effectively. First, it was about Livy figuring out who she is as a first born Chinese-Canadian; second it's about her struggle with anxiety which is, in part, tied to being Chinese in Canada and trying to fit in; and the third is about how friends and friend groups interact and work together (or not); and lastly the the idea of figuring out who she wants to be and what she wants to become and all that entails.

There are other elements embedded in each of her struggles, but those are the main ones. And from all the Canadian immigrant literature I have read and studied, Fung does a really good job of capturing all of the elements. With relatively little story and primarily illustration, she gets across her message and Livy learns and grows. The fact that her parents support her and she finds the courage to talk about her anxiety with people who can help her. That's not something children even at older ages are able to do.

This book has lovely illustrations, even though it is uncorrected proofs, and a great story.

This was a great middle grade read about the struggle of growing up—trying to fit in and make friends, staying on top of things with school and home, and having anxiety on top of it all. I don’t know that I’d recommend this as a must read for adults, but I’d definitely recommend it to middle grade/young adult readers.

I wish this graphic novel had existed when I was a child. There are so few resources for kids who suffer from anxiety disorders and this one is unflinchingly honest. It's also a good read for the adults in kids' lives, as it shows how behaviors and words can be damaging, while also showing how adults can help kids get through it. Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed this story of a young girl learning to live with her anxiety while facing challenges at a new school. Livy doesn't seem to fit in anywhere - not at her new school, not with the few friends she's made there, not with her family. She's afraid to talk to her parents, Chinese immigrants to Canada, about how she feels and her anxiety manifests itself as Viola, always following her around. This was such a truthful portrayal of living with anxiety; having the creator share her own experiences at the end of the book made it even more impactful. The art is colorful and will pull readers in. Living with Viola talks about difficult situations and uncomfortable emotions, it does it in a way that will help an anxious reader of any age feel not so alone anymore.

Another one I'll be recommending. Livy's anxiety is beautifully voiced and illustrated, and it intertwines understandably with her family narrative. What I really appreciate, though, is that we see Livy, over many pages, apply the strategies she's learned in therapy. We see her take control of her anxiety, even as she accepts its presence. This is powerful stuff.

Loving this book so much. I wish I had read this when I was a kid. Highly recommended. I am so happy someone decided to make a book like this. I could see myself in the main character and the illustrations are gorgeous.

This is the kind of book I wish I could hand to my younger self, as someone who can't conceptualize a time in my life where Depression and Anxiety were not ever-present in my life, and unlike Olivia's parents, who strive to help her, my mother's response that was that everyone felt that way, so I just needed to suck it up and go on with life,

This would be a great book for a young one who is just beginning to learn about their mental illness, as this is a beautiful story about growth, support, and learning to vocalize your needs.

This is such a lovely book that is a great way to teach younger audiences about anxiety in a way they can understand. Right off the bat, I could relate to Olivia despite having never been in her exact circumstances. I saw so much of my younger self in her. I felt myself being transported back to my middle school days where I had a lot of the same insecurities and fears as she did. I appreciated that Olivia's true self was able to shine and she was not solely defined by Viola. We quickly learned her likes, her personality and it was sweet to see her light up with happiness. Viola could benefit from a better intro. It's never really explained what she is to Olivia. As an older reader I can understand she's an imaginary, personification of Liv's anxiety, but a younger reader could be initially confused at who/what she is. The illustration style was simplistic and cutesy and it felt like Olivia herself was drawing them. I also liked how the author showed Olivia making friends rather than keeping her a loner until the end. And that they showed they all had their own insecurities when it came to their friendships, and that Olivia wasn't alone. This was such a touching, at times sad story but also had other times had me chuckling and smiling. I can see this becoming a big hit at my library and even be used for book clubs.

As a parent of a child diagnosed at age ten with a severe anxiety disorder, I am always looking for books on the subject of mental health, especially children's books. Living with Viola immediately got my attention. In the book, Olivia (Livy) Tong lives in Canada and is the daughter of Chinese immigrants. Livy has anxiety. Her anxiety is portrayed as a living, breathing alter ego named Viola. Of course, Livy doesn't recognize the voice of Viola as anxiety but rather a feeling that she is not good enough. As the story unfolds, we see the pressure that Livy is under to be a good student and make her parents proud. We also see Viola's power increase as Livy shrinks further and further into herself. ***SPOILER ALERT*** Livy is finally able to ask for help, which her parents are happy to give in the form of a therapist and of course, a reminder of their unconditional love for her.

This is a graphic novel and the ARC did not translate well into an e-book form. Even though it was difficult at times, I was able to keep up with the story. I'm glad that I was. This is an important book for children and teens with anxiety or any kind of mental health issues. The graphic novel style will appeal to children who may not reach for a chapter book. Children often feel that they are the only ones who feel like they do. This book gives them permission to recognize and name what they are feeling, to know that they are not alone, and that it is OK to ask for help. The fact that Livy is of Asian descent, is a bonus. This opens up the conversation that therapy is for EVERYONE who needs it and that there is no shame in seeking help when feelings get too big.

I would absolutely buy this book for any child that struggles with anxiety, depression, identity or fitting in. It should be in every school library and required reading for all.

This is a graphic novel with charming, bright, full-color illustrations. Livy is a new girl at school, struggling to fit in and navigate the complexities of her life, like any kid. BUT! She's also living with Viola, a sort of shadowy evil twin spirit that is basically her anxiety manifested. Anyone who has dealt with anxiety in their own lives can appreciate the ways her anxiety takes shape as a companion and constant presence in her life. The anxiety demonstrates constantly how it can undermine your self-worth and impact every part of your life. If that was all this book was about, I would still appreciate it, but it is so much more. This book is a powerhouse with the intersections it explores. As the daughter of Chinese immigrants, Livy is also dealing with questions about belonging, cultural dissonance, alienation, and making sense of her own identity. For many of us, there is something to relate to in Livy's experience, and plenty to learn about the ways she navigates the complexity of her middle school life. At the end of the book, I was struck by just how humanity was in each page, and how easy it was to immerse myself in Livy's story. The book moves quickly and held my attention the whole time I was reading. Since a lot of the book is about social relationships and situations, so I would probably push it for middle grades and older. There isn't anything *inappropriate* for littler kids, though. Kids with anxiety will probably really connect to the experience of living with Viola, and appreciate learning about how Livy gets through that.

This book really hit me in a tender spot. I can think of many different kinds of people I will recommend it to over the years, and I am so happy that I read it. I received a free copy via #netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really loved this graphic novel about a middle school girl facing anxiety and cultural divide. The art style was beautiful and charming and a delight to flip through.

Middle school can be so hard. We often think of high school as the time of the most angst, adversity and societal pressure, but in middle school you are quite literally stuck between being a child and being expected to know what you will do as an adult. You aren’t old enough to work, but you are expected to take on more responsibility and independence over all. Your body is changing, hormones all wild... it’s the perfect breeding ground for an anxiety to grow. That kind of representation will really strike a chord with readers in that age range.

Wonderful.

I loved this graphic novel. I enjoyed both the art and the story. I loved how it took real life situations and problems and put it in a children’s graphic novel. It gives kids an outlet and something to relate too if they are going through the same thing. I loved how the story represented anxiety as I also suffer from it. I think it was represented well. And will be very helpful to young kids.

Living with Viola is a #ownvoice graphic novel about Olivia "Livy", living with her insecurities. A struggle that is never easy for anyone, but for Livy her personal demons have their own form, Viola. Who follows her and always has something to say, always negative.

Livy has a lot on her plate. She's a new kid at school, the decision to move to a better school is something her parents continuously bring up. Because of the reminders, Livy feelings her family finical struggle is in part her own fault and their positions embarrass her.
Livy feels a lot of pressure form her family to be a "good" girl, to be smarter, well behaved, and always do better. She constantly feels there's always more expected of her and choices she makes on her own, aren't right.

The few outlets she has for individuality, stress release, and escape are reading and drawing. But books are expensive, something her family can't afford and drawing isn't an acceptable future for her.

There's definitely an additional burden to "be" a certain way. As first generation immigrants from China to Canada, Between her parents and extended family, Livy never really feels good enough.

After a group project Livy finds herself with friends. Although they all share different interests for once she feels included. Until she doesn't.

Over the course of the book both Livy and her mother in their own ways come to term with Livy needing additional support and resources to deal with mental health. Something that is highlighted so well to ask for help and health ways to deal with caring for yourself.

**Thank you to Annick Press and NetGallery for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. **

I loved this graphic novel. Having dealt very recently with an anxiety situation which did not end well, it really spoke to me with all its messy art and confused panels, but it told a real story of problems and issues that can overwhelm a person so easily and without warning.

Based on the author's personal experience, we meet Livy, who is dealing with a new school, parental expectations, making friends, and growing into a young woman of color all at the same time. She does not expect Viola to show up - Livy's highly critical and judgmental alter-ego who only she can see, and who is a constant presence, delighting in her every failure. Making friends seems to provide some escape, but even that starts going sideways and Viola never lets up.

Fortunately in Livy's case, there is help; she's smart enough and strong enough to avail herself of it, and the outcome is good. I wish it could be that way for everyone. This book scorched some raw nerve-endings for me, but it told an honest and revealing story in graphic in enlightening terms, with inventive and provocative graphics and a sincere heart, and I commend it as a worthy read.

This is a graphic novel about a girl who suffers with anxiety. As someone who suffers from general anxiety, the book does a good job of presenting how it affects someone. I, especially, like the fact that the author gave the anxiety a name and a voice. I think this would be very good for anyone that just wants to know what anxiety can be like or for someone who has anxiety. Its written for middle grades, but would be well received by young adults too.

Special thanks to netgalley for supplying an arc for an honest review.

Middle grade graphic novel speaks to readers battling anxiety, peer pressure, and parental pressure. Younger readers might be a little confused at the beginning of the book understanding the illustrations as "Viola" is Olivia's anxiety talking to her in her head. This book written in the author's own voice will speak to readers who are or have experienced Olivia's anxiety.

Rosena Fung’s new #OwnVoices graphic novel deals with real struggles for elementary and early middle school readers. Olivia is the new girl in school. Her parents immigrated to Canada, and she is dealing with the struggle of fitting in with new classmates while also being accepted and supported by her very vocal extended family. To top it off, she is also dealing with some anxiety issues and panic attacks.

Living with Viola, available October 2021) in all its full color illustrations, does an excellent job of portraying the internal struggles Olivia faces with her internal voice, aka Viola. While the majority of the book focuses on her struggles, the end does show her asking for and receiving help. She utilizes some of the techniques she learns to help deal with her anxiety.

Overall, this may be a good book for children personally experiencing anxiety themselves.

This was excellent. Kids at the library are always asking for more books like Raina Telgemeier’s, and this one will be perfect.