Living with Viola - by Rosena Fung

About the Book

"Heartbreakingly honest and quietly funny, this #ownvoices graphic novel from a debut creator is a refreshingly real exploration of mental health, cultural differences, and the trials of middle school. Livy is already having trouble fitting in as the new girl at school--and then there's Viola. Viola is Livy's anxiety brought to life, a shadowy twin that only Livy can see or hear. Livy tries to push back against Viola's relentless judgment, but nothing seems to work until she strikes up new friendships at school. Livy hopes that Viola's days are numbered. But when tensions arise both at home and at school, Viola rears her head stronger than ever. Only when Livy learns how to ask for help and face her anxiety does she finally figure out living with Viola. Rosena Fung draws on her own early experiences with anxiety and the pressures of growing up as the child of Chinese immigrant parents to craft a charming, deeply personal story that combines the poignancy of Raina Telgemeier's Guts with the wacky humor of Lumberjanes. Exuberant, colorful art brings Livy's rich imaginative world--filled with everything from sentient dumplings to flying unicorns--to life on the page."--

Book Synopsis

"unforgettable . . . will shake middle grade readers to the core"--School Library Journal, starred review

"Beautifully illustrated, relatable, and genuine." --Molly Brooks, creator of Sanity & Tallulah

"Everyone needs to buy this book now. Seriously. Buy it, read it, share it."--Colleen Nelson, author and teacher

Honest and funny, this award-winning graphic novel from a
debut creator is a refreshingly real exploration of mental health,
cultural differences, and the trials of middle school.

Livy
is already having trouble fitting in as the new girl at school--and then
there's Viola. Viola is Livy's anxiety brought to life, a shadowy twin
that only Livy can see or hear. Livy tries to push back against Viola's
relentless judgment, but nothing seems to work until she strikes up new
friendships at school. Livy hopes that Viola's days are numbered. But
when tensions arise both at home and at school, Viola rears her head
stronger than ever. Only when Livy learns how to ask for help and face
her anxiety does she finally figure out living with Viola.

Rosena Fung draws on her own early experiences with anxiety and the
pressures of growing up as the child of Chinese immigrant parents to
craft a charming, deeply personal story that combines the poignancy of
Raina Telgemeier's Guts with the wacky humor of Lumberjanes.
Exuberant, colorful art brings Livy's rich imaginative world--filled
with everything from sentient dumplings to flying unicorns--to life on
the page.

Review Quotes

"Elevates the graphic novel genre with its heartfelt focus on mental health and immigrant experiences."--Kirkus Reviews, *starred review, 07/27/21

"Intimate and unforgettable . . . This deeply moving graphic novel will shake middle grade readers to the core . . . An essential purchase."--School Library Journal, *starred review, 10/21

About the Author

ROSENA FUNG is an award-winning illustrator and comic artist from Toronto, Ontario. Her debut graphic novel, Living With Viola, received several starred reviews and was included on best of the year lists from the New York Public Library, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, the Bank Street College of Education, and more. Living With Viola was also nominated for the Silver Birch Award, the Jean Little First-Novel Award, the Garden State Teen Book Award, the Panda Book Awards, and the Black-Eyed Susan Book Award. Besides creating graphic novels, Rosena's favorite things are reading, cats, and eating snacks.