• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

“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 judgement, 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.

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.

Rosena Fung's profile page

• Nominated, Garden State Teen Book Award
• Joint winner, Texas Library Association’s Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List
• Commended, Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award Honour Book
• Nominated, Panda Book Awards
• Joint winner, Bank Street College of Education’s Book of the Year List
• Commended, Graphic Novel Diversity Award Honor Book, VLA
• Nominated, Black-Eyed Susan Book Award
• Nominated, Silver Birch Award, OLA
• Short-listed, Jean Little First-Novel Award, Canadian Children
• Joint winner, IBBY Selection of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities
• Joint winner, New York Public Library Vibrant Voices Titles for Kids
• Joint winner, USBBY Outstanding International Books List
• Joint winner, New York Public Library’s Best Books List
• Joint winner, Best of 2021 List, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
• Joint winner, Best Bets Book List, OLA
• Joint winner, Best Books of 2021, Kirkus Reviews
• Joint winner, School Library Journal’s Best Books List

“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

“This dynamically illustrated graphic novel takes the reader into the inner workings of Livy’s mind and life. One cannot help but cheer for Livy as she slowly overcomes her anxiety and finally breaks free from the negative and destructive voice of Viola.”

School Library Connection, 11/21

“A unique book exploring culture and mental health in kids.”

City Parent Magazine, 11/21

“Livy’s culturally specific concerns, including her family’s reluctance to discuss mental health, will resonate with diasporic readers, though the exceptionally poignant moments that arise from her work navigating her anxiety reinforce the importance of asking for help for any reader.”

Publishers Weekly, *starred review, 10/21

“A keenly felt and nuanced look at anxiety disorder.”

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 10/21

“This is a rich, moving, multimodal reading experience . . . LIVING WITH VIOLA is a major middle-grade graphic novel debut that explores Fung’s weighty themes deftly and with nuance. This is a wonderful book that young readers and grown-up graphic novel aficionados will both appreciate and love.”

Quill & Quire, *starred review, 09/21

“Fung successfully strikes a balance in discussing issues of mental health, belonging and cultural differences with engaging illustrations and an interesting story.”

Asian Review of Books, 10/13/21

“The book’s artwork is excellent, and the text works in flawless partnership with it to convey actions, emotions, and moods. . . . an outstanding graphic novel.”

Foreword Reviews, *starred review, 01/22

“An honest and hopeful depiction of life with mental illness.”

Canadian Children’s Book News, 12/21

“Hard to do better than this book. . . . Smart, empathetic, and hopeful.”

Teen Librarian Toolbox, 11/29/21

“Fung presents her affecting debut in vibrant, full-color panels overflowing with energy and motion.”

Booklist, 11/22

“A poignant and candid exploration of cultural differences and mental health.”

CM Reviews, 09/24/21

“Elevates the graphic novel genre with its heartfelt focus on mental health and immigrant experiences.”

Kirkus Reviews, *starred review, 07/27/21