I've already made space for a copy of this book in my classroom. Rosena Fung handles the complexities of multi-generational trauma with the care, consideration, and close attention it needs. The illustrations are beautifully drawn and add to this well crafted story.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC.

This graphic novel is about a daughter, a mother, and a grandmother's experience being 16 years old in the 2000s Toronto, 1970s in Hong Kong. and 1950s rural China, and how their lives were shaped by their circumstances and their mothers.

I love the art style. Its fun, quirky, and I like how each character (daughter, mother, grandma) had their own chapters in their own color scheme. I loved the ending where all three color schemes are combined in present time. I thought there were a few moments in the book where it relied too heavily on the art, rather than the text.

I would recommend this book to folks who enjoy intergenerational coming of age stories about the immigrant (and second generation) experience.

Age 16, by Rosena Fung, is a graphic novel that depicts generational trauma through three generations of mothers and daughters. The story touches on subjects such as fatphobia, adolescences, and absent fathers. The graphic novel switches between the three women’s points of views during different times of their lives, this includes, Guangdong 1954, Hong Kong 1972, and Toronto 2000.

I loved the graphic novel so much and I’m so grateful I got to read the ARC.

Generational trauma is such and important topic and it can be hard to write about, but the author did a fantastic job of capturing what it’s like to have trauma be passed down through many generations. 💕

This was relatable, which made my reading experience so much more intense. There were scenes that just made my heart ache. I wanted to reach into the book and hug all the characters.

The colors and designs of the book are beautiful and fit each setting/ character well.

I rate this book 5/5 stars! I hope to read more by Rosena Fung!

Thank you to Netgalley and Annick Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I very much enjoyed Rosena Fung's Age 16. I particularly appreciated the different points of view shared by seeing the experiences of multiple generations in a family. Fung handles difficult subjects with grace and honesty, allowing space for the complicated aspects of characters personalities. The illustrations had lovely moments of detail in backgrounds and clothing that really highlighted important moments for each character and bridged the multiple timelines. If I'm being finicky, the only thing took me out of the story at times was the way in which Mei Laan's friends all refer to each other by name repeatedly. It didn't feel necessary for keeping track of everyone, though I can see why this was included in scenes with many characters being introduced. This could prove to be a solid choice for summer reading lists, with relatable content and historical perspectives. I look forward to seeing it in person!

AGE 16 is a beautiful examination of intergenerational trauma and—ultimately—healing. I loved the different colors used for the different characters/timelines and how that all came together visually for Rosalind in the final scenes. Beautiful artwork and story.

This is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel that delves into generational trauma of fatphobia and fatherlessness passed down by women to their daughters. I appreciated the different points of view of each woman in their youth as they navigated tricky familial expectations. Roz’s timeline was set in 2000, a time when body positivity did not exist and only size 00 bodies were valid. This story was heartbreaking and it really shows exemplified that harmful ideals about bodies need to be eradicated rather than continuing to pass down to future generations.

"Age 16" by Rosena Fung is a strikingly poignant graphic novel that captures the complexities of adolescence through the intertwined lives of three generations of mothers and daughters. Each segment, taking place when the characters are 16, offers a unique window into their struggles and triumphs, weaving a rich tapestry of cultural and personal identity. Fung tackles heavy themes such as gender expectations, race, beauty standards, and body image with a delicate touch that resonates deeply. The shifting perspectives across different eras—from Guangdong in 1954, to Hong Kong in 1972, to Toronto in 2000—highlight how societal pressures and family dynamics evolve yet somehow remain constant.

The artwork in "Age 16" complements the story beautifully, with a style that captures the essence of each time period and the emotional landscape of the characters. Fung's ability to draw from her own family history adds authenticity and depth to the narrative, making the struggles and victories of Roz, her mother, and Por Por feel all the more real and impactful.

This graphic novel is not just a story about growing up; it's an exploration of how our families shape us, for better or worse, and how the legacies of our ancestors are carried within us. "Age 16" is a must-read for fans of Mariko Tamaki and anyone interested in a moving, multigenerational tale that speaks to the heart of what it means to find one's place in the world amidst the pressures of external expectations and internal desires.

A amazing coming of age story about how mothers and daughters pass down and rebel against standards of size, gender, race, beauty and worth. The story follows 3 times: 1954, 1972, and 2000 and follows three women. In Guandong 1954, sixteen year old Mei Laan longs for a future of freedom and hoping to use her beauty to get an arranged marriage... maybe she'll find happiness in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, 1972 sixteen year old Lydia wants nothing other than to pursue dance and to gain her mother's approval.... which has been hard since her mother is extremely critical and mostly absent... especially sharp about Lydia's weight. In Toronto, 2000 sixteen year old Roz is grappling with who she wants to be and how she wants to look. Roz thinks that if she were thinner, everything would be better. When Roz's grandmother, Mei comes to town abruptly.... the three generations of women are all under one roof and all three of these women have a strained relationship with each other. Can they find a way to finally mend the rift between them? This was such a touching and beautiful coming of age story that really resonated with me. The generational trauma and the body image issues that we can pass down to each other was so well depicted. This story really touched my heart and it was so well written. I would absolutely recommend this book!

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

Another fantastic, deeply personal YA coming of age graphic novel from Canadian artist/author, Rosena Fung, in which she shares her family history and the complicated intergenerational relationships between her, her mother and her mother's mother.

The book focuses a lot on body image and being pressured to fit an ideal thin beauty standard, while also giving flashbacks to the 50s and 70s in China and Hong Kong. Great illustrations paired with important messages about loving people for who they are make this a standout read!! Highly recommended for fans of books like Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying and Almost American girl by Robin Ha.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This is definitely going to be one I put on my forever shelf full of other fav graphic novels.

CW: disordered eating, fatphobia, body shaming

A beautiful and emotional story that I’ll be thinking about for a long time. The sign of a great book is one where the characters and story sticks with you and that’s the case here for me.

Thank you to #netgalley for the e-arc!

Age 16 is a heart-wrenching yet beautifully tender graphic novel about the lives of three generations of women, with themes of generational trauma, body image, (mild) eating disorder and the complicated relationship between a mother who tries her best but isn't communicative or expressive about her love and a daughter that feels criticized and inadequate all the time. This sort of "I did everything for you why do you not appreciate me""because you never told me" relationship is so common among Chinese families and so relatable.

<spoiler>I found Rosalind's outburst from stress and hunger realistic, and her subsequent apologies to her friend and eventually ditching prom to hang out with fellow nerd friends endearing.</spoiler>

The ending made me shed a few tears. I still feel an overwhelming amount of emotions just thinking about it, as it reminds me of my own family, the toxic patterns and traits I've observed that we all share, my own complicated relationships with my parents and and my attempt to overcome generational trauma since I started working on my mental health a few years ago.

I loved reading it and will be thinking about it for a long time.

"Age 16" is a beautiful graphic novel depicting three generations of mothers and daughters as they navigate being 16. Each generation has their own hardships and trauma that shape them and inform the way they raise their own daughters. The story shifts seamlessly between the three time periods, allowing the reader to understand each character in ways they do not understand each other. Told with compassion and gentle love, this story will resonate strongly with teen and adult readers. All characters are flawed, but they are all the more lovable for their flaws and the ways they come to a better understanding of each other and themselves. Themes of gender, race, body size and shape, self-worth, trauma, and healing are tenderly explored in this triple coming-of-age story. Highly recommended.

Age 16 is a moving coming-of-age story across nearly fifty years that tells the tale of Roz and her mother, Lydia, and grandmother, Mei Laan, and how hard being 16 is across generations. From Toronto to Hong Kong to Guandong, all three girls face trials that bleed into their relationships and illustrate a crucial, emotional portrait of generational trauma and young girlhood.

I didn't love the pacing and art style all the time, but the way the grandmother and mother interacted, the fractures in their relationships, they all hit incredibly close to home and I am very glad to see this join a beautiful literary canon of young adult graphic novels. It really speaks to both the teen experience and the adult experience in a way that makes me wonder if I'll appreciate this even more when I get older. If you're a fan of The Magic Fish or Mariko Tamaki's work, I would recommend giving AGE 16 a try.

A powerful YA coming of age graphic novel about three generations of women at age 16.
1️⃣6️⃣
Toronto, 2000: Roz wakes up and weighs herself each day and with prom looming, she wants to make sure she can fit into her dress.
Hong Kong, 1972: Roz’s mom isn’t built like her mom and they always fight, but her aunt is her one saving grace that helps her prepare for a dance.
Guangdong, 1954: Roz’s Por Por is sixteen and lives with a horrible father who is trying to get her married off. She must be strong to survive these hard times.
All three women end up living under the same roof and tensions are high as they struggle to coexist and get over past hurts.
1️⃣6️⃣
This book was fantastic. @rosenafung is such a gifted storyteller. I loved the way this novel was written with three points of view in different time periods. It shows that until we know the whole story, we might make judgments and not give grace. Talking things out and showing empathy will always matter. This comic releases July 2.

CW: body image issues, starvation, anorexia, binge eating, body shaming, fat shaming, domestic abuse, physical abuse, disordered eating, fatphobia, teen pregnancy, sexism, racism, generational trauma

A true coming of age graphic novel following 3 generations of mothers and daughters. We see strained relationships, traditional ways of thinking, and issues with gender, race, body image and more. Por Por turning up present day stirs up a lot of unhappiness, but as we shift between generations, we see what each faced growing up -- war, struggling as a single mother, and normal teenage stuff (Guangdong 1954; Hong Kong 1972; Toronto 2000) and it’s interesting to see similar struggles being passed down / leading to the same outcome. Despite everyone’s flaws, it was heart warming to see love still present.

Thanks NetGalley and Annick Press for my arc!

Rosalind, also known as Roz, is a 16-year-old Asian girl struggling to fit in. With prom just around the corner, Roz feels pressured to conform to society's expectations and change herself to look more attractive. However, everything changes when her por por (grandma) unexpectedly pays a visit. As family secrets unfold, Roz must decide who she wants to be and whether her family can repair their relationship. Will they overcome their differences and fight for what's right?

If you're looking for a book that will inspire and make you laugh, then you must read this one! This captivating story takes place in three different periods and locations: 2000 in Toronto, 1972 in Hong Kong, and 1954 in Guangdong. It's a tale about finding your true self and embracing who you are without shame.

The main character, Roz, is both adorable and determined. If you're a fan of alien believers, then Roz is the friend you've been waiting for! Although Roz's friends don't play a significant role in the story, her mom is a rebellious soul, and her por por has quite a temper.

Apart from the intriguing plot, the drawing style is simply unique. It's a bit cartoony, which adds to the story's charm. The remarkable thing about this book was the colors of each generation's panels: purple for Roz, orange for her mom, and blue for her por por.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a story that inspires. It's a must-read for a heartwarming, funny, and touching story. Give yourself the gift of this fantastic book, and let yourself be swept away by its magic!

Thank you, @netgalley and @annick_press, for the complimentary ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Pub Date: 02 Jul 2024

Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚

You know when you sit down with a book with the intention of reading the first few pages, but then accidentally end up reading the entire book in that one sitting. Well...that was this book. Age 16 by Rosena Fung was a breath of fresh air. This middle-grade graphic novel follows three generations of women in the same family all at the age of 16. What I love about this book is that I think everyone can relate to it and feel seen and heard. I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for an amazing middle-grade graphic novel.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this graphic novel!!

I really enjoyed how this book was framed in different timelines featuring Roz, her mother, and her grandmother. Each woman has had both individual and societal struggles and through each generation, we see how those expectations weigh on the individual and as a result, how they treat and perceive their child. A great multiple POV graphic novel that tackles intergenerational trauma, fatphobia, beauty standards, and the challenges of being a teen.

I tried twice to get into this graphic novel but I just couldn't.
I like the art and enjoyed how the story reflected the age of mother and daughter looking at differences but also similarities in their lives.
But the story was slow and heart breaking. I just couldn't finish it.

Age 16 is a wonderful graphic novel, exploring three generations of women, focusing on their struggles and criticisms about their weight. I appreciated the multiple timelines/perspectives, and the illustration is well done.