Mental health, especially in children, can be a very difficult topic to discuss. Rosena Fung has created a remarkable space with “Living with Viola”. Illustrations matching characters, emotions with relatable facial expressions, seamlessly transport the reader directly into the character, Livy, shoes.

“Living with Viola” explores the angst of being a middle school aged kid coping with anxiety, generational differences, cultural differences, all mixed in with the complexity of family dynamics. An energetic read, which will absolutely appeal to the interest of young readers and adults. Any parent looking to start the conversation on mental health and/or any level of anxiety should start with this graphic novel.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing me an advance copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this story and leave my review voluntarily.

Living With Viola is a MUST READ! An #OwnVoices middle grade graphic novel about a new girl at school, Livy, dealing with undiagnosed anxiety and panic attacks and accepting the cultural differences between her friends and herself as the daughter of Chinese parents.

I love how accessible this book will be to middle grade readers in the graphic novel form. Rosena Fung is brilliant to represent the negative self-talk and thoughts as the visual character of “Viola.” Readers will see how “Viola” influences how Livy feels when she thinks she isn’t good enough, is a loner, among the millions of other lies we convince ourselves to be true about who we are. Some of the external pressures of fitting in by people pleasing parents, peers and society are represented as well. This book covers a lot of what happens in middle grade that we carry forward in our lives.

This book is SO IMPORTANT! Give this book to all middle grade readers to help them identify and understand mental health within themselves and/or their friends. This book will change lives and sharing the message of this book with young readers (and adults who experienced something similar) explains how it’s totally normal to feel like this, that they are not alone, and asking for help is going to give them the skills to cope with every day life.

Thank you so much to Rosena Fung for sharing your experience and transforming it into a graphic novel that will save lives. You are amazing!

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A hyper realistic look at being a kid in middle school with anxiety, while trying to fit in and not disappoint your family. Olivia starts a new school, and only wants to make the voice (Viola) stop, the one that always tells her she isn't good enough, and she is loser and won't fit in. Eventually, Olivia finds a group of friends, but Viola still hasn't gone away and is now stronger than ever. Olivia has to go through many strong moments of admitting when to ask for help, and not be afraid to be her true self with those around her.

living with viola is a sweet middle grade graphic novel about livy, a chinese-canadian kid who is struggling with an undiagnosed anxiety disorder.

livy faces typical preteen anxiety, along with high expectations from her family, racist microaggressions from her peers, panic attacks, loneliness, and negative thought spirals. her anxiety is personified with as viola, the dark part of her that reminds livy of all her worst fears and bad thoughts about herself.

i really appreciate the author's note, which explains that the story was inspired by fung's own childhood struggles with anxiety. there's also a helpful cantonese glossary. the cultural representation, and livy's eventual embrace of her chinese-canadian identity, are really nicely done.

the cute art style keeps this debut from feeling too dark, considering its heavy subject matter. livy's struggles feel real and scary, but ultimately, they are manageable. i'd absolutely give this book to a kid struggling with anxiety or isolation. representation of mental health issues is so important in middle grade fiction!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This book was really eye opening and I related so much even as an adult. Now I do not know what it is like to be part of a minority race so I am not own voices on this subject so please please check out own voices review.
I have anxiety and the way this graphic novel depicted it was absolutely flawless. I deeply felt and understood everything the main character was feeling in regards to her anxiety. This is definitely a graphic novel I would suggest anyone who struggles with anxiety check out!

What a lovely middle grade story! I love how it goes in dept about diversity and the feelings of a tween. The main character is absolutely adorable and I loved the emotional growth she went through. This was a very fast quick read and I’d definitely recommend it to any friends with kids in the same age group. Absolutely lovely!

Living With Viola is a fun and energetic read -- sure to capture young learners, and a book I would gladly share and feature on my classroom shelf.

This #OwnVoices graphic novel by Rosena Fung that explores mental health better than anything I have ever read.
Livy is a Chinese-Canadian and the new kid at school. She's trying to fit in while also trying to be the best daughter she can be. Middle School can be rough without the added pressure Livy feels from her family OR the constant barrage of thoughts thrown at her by the Alter Ego of her Anxiety, Viola.

I don't believe I have ever read a book or graphic novel that has broken my heart so completely, because the discussion of Anxiety so closely matches my own. The voice in my head questioning and berating never felt like my own, it always felt like another person. Seeing Livy name her Anxiety (Viola) really hit home for me. Livy begins to be blogged down by Viola and the added pressure others can make us feel. She stops doing things she enjoys and seems to fold in on herself until her mother reaches out a hand to help and begin the process of learning about mental health. This graphic novel was amazing. The artwork is brightly colored but changes with Livy's mood and really brings the authors experiences to life. Well done, will be recommending this to everyone.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Wonderful book for those who struggle with anxiety or has so wine that struggles in their life. The format of the book does not work on Kindle so be warned. The graphics are nice and colorful. I don't want to give anything away. Thank you for this book. It helps one to know they are not alone.

I wish I’d read this as a child/young teen! The anxiety rep was lovely, perfect for explaining to someone who doesn’t have anxiety what it’s like, or for making someone with anxiety see how they’re not alone. I sometimes felt like an outsider as an awkward kid, though I didn’t have the cultural difference, so this was such an interesting insight.

This engaging and vibrantly illustrated story fits right in with books about the struggle to make friends in the transition from elementary to middle school. Following Olivia (and her tormenting inner voice, in the form of invisible bully, Viola), "Living with Viola" chronicles one shy girl's attempts to fit in and be liked. Adult and child readers who on the proud weirdo side of the spectrum may have trouble relating to Olivia's willingness to throw away her passions (e.g. PINK drawings) to adopt other kids' idea of cool. Even so, almost anyone will recognize their own insecurities and self-criticism, and Olivia's gradual acceptance of her anxious mind will be sure to move anyone who has had to cope with a part of themselves they'd rather just change. One especially nice highlight is the mother character whose tender concern for her sensitive daughter runs contrary to many a cliche.

The writing in "Viola" may not be at the level of comparable titles (e.g. New Kid, Roller Girl, El Deafo), but the expressive artwork seeping out of the comic frames and the wonderfully real protagonist more than make this worth the read. The only potential flaw is that so much here is focused on well-worn tropes of anti-Asian bullying that it may end up reinforcing certain stereotypes (like that all Asian kids are self-conscious or ashamed of their backgrounds) and alienating Asian kids who need a break from portrayals of victimhood. Fortunately, Olivia is tough enough--and triumphant enough--and there's a broad enough spectrum of Asian experiences here that that likely won't be too much of a concern.

*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.

This is an intense look at dealing with your inner demons. Olivia is new and just wants to fit in, but the voice in her head is always telling her she isn't good enough. She starts to make some new friends, but still has to work at keeping that voice tampered down. This is a good look at friendships and how they can affect how we feel about ourselves.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

I really enjoyed the depictions of anxiety and thought the mental health representation was very well done. I enjoyed the friendship aspects and the complicated family relationships that were present. Such a great graphic novel!

This was interesting. I like the graphic novel aspect and think that will help draw kids in. I appreciate that mental health is finally making its way to the spotlight and not just discussed in hush voices.

Living with Viola is an #OwnVoices graphic novel by Rosena Fung that explores mental health, cultural differences, and the trials of middle school.

Livy loves reading books, drawing, and making dumplings with her mom. And those are the only times when Viola can’t seem to reach her. Viola is her shadowy twin that is always putting doubts in her head — her anxiety brought to life.

Because of Viola, Livy has a hard time fitting in at her new school. Then she starts working with Charlotte, Beth, and Maddy on a science fair project. Beth tries out for the basketball team, Maddy is wrapped up in her new smartphone, so Charlotte and Livy start hanging out together. They are both Chinese, and lead very different lives, but they may have more in common than they think.

This book focuses heavily on familial and cultural pressures. Livy’s parents are embarrassed that they have service jobs and aren’t doctors or lawyers. But they moved to Canada so Livy could have more opportunities, even still those expectations are passed down to the next generation.

This was also a great visual representation of how anxiety and panic attacks can manifest themselves. Livy learned how to use her creative outlet to conquer her anxiety and she learned some new coping techniques too.

Livy is 10 years old and is starting a new school. What makes it worse is Viola, her inner voice who nags her all the time. At school, she makes new friends and gets involved in making art. She struggles though, as Viola and her anxiety get worse and worse and she doesn't know what to do. With the help of friends and family, Livy learns how to cope.

This was a great semi-autobiographical graphic novel that really explains anxiety and panic attacks well. I also really liked how they talked about coping strategies and showed Livy using them. This can be a great resource for kids who are going through the same things but don't know how to talk about it. The art was colorful and fun as well. I will be definitely be recommending this to my middle grade readers.

Beautiful semi-autobiographical fiction piece about 10 year old Olivia, the Canadian-born daughter of two hardworking immigrants from China. Olivia is shy and loves art and books, but struggles when her parents enroll her in a new and "better" school where she has to make all new friends. Olivia is haunted by Viola, the shadow-self name she gives to her anxiety and depression that constantly taunts her about her Chinese heritage, her shyness, and any and all insecurities. Olivia's distress is only added to as the family whispers about a mysterious cousin Leonard who was sent away for, apparently, psychological treatment and her aunts remind her endlessly that she is obligated to be a "good daughter" (ideally by being a perfect child and then, eventually, either a doctor or a lawyer). Viola's haunting is both claustrophobic and relentless, a sometimes genuinely distressing (but accurate) representation of anxiety and panic disorder. Other themes include anti-immigrant bias, class, race, friendship, authenticity, and coming of age.