As someone who has struggled with anxiety and panic disorder my whole life, I loved this graphic novel. It was very relatable, and showed so many emotions I have felt. I loved how it also showed the friends fighting, but then making up at the end. It’s great to read things like this that are so normal for so many of us.

A amazing, hilarious, and emotional story that explores growing up, friendship, accepting your culture, and mental health. The story follows Livy as she starts a new school and must deal with the cultural differences, her crippling anxiety, and surviving middle school. Livy has a shadowy twin that is essentially a manifestation of her anxiety that only Livy can hear, Viola follows Livy around and constantly makes her question everything. Livy is hoping to make new friends, but just as a new kid in school, it’s not always as easy. The story is relatable, funny, and just such a good portrayal of the cultural differences kids go through when starting at a new school and dealing with mental health. I found the story high relatable to my own experiences. The story follows author Rosena Fung’s own early experiences with anxiety and the pressures of growing up as the child of Chinese immigrant parents. It’s a charming and deeply personal story that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

*Thanks Netgalley and Annick Press Ltd. for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Really lovely illustrations and storytelling that come together to give you a picture of a girl struggling with depression and anxiety. I like that this is created for middle grade readers, who I think will enjoy following Viola and empathize with the challenges she faces throughout the day with intrusive thoughts. More mental health representation! Thanks to NetGalley for an early review copy, all opinions are my own.