Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Graphic Novel, Mental Health Thoughts: This is a really great idea, giving mental wellbeing support in graphic novel form for teens that don’t read other books. I loved that Haines mentioned ACEs as they are quite important on the development of so many adverse behaviours and illnesses but are not widely understood outside of the Psychology and Trauma professions. I liked that there was the basics in the graphic novel format and then a little bit more in depth explanations in red underneath. I also liked the way in which Haines made sure that Anxiety isn’t shown as a personal failing but emphasises both the biological element and naturalness of anxiety. Favourite Quote: "This is heady stuff. It shows anxiety is a big, confusing problem central to being human - you are certainly not alone in feeling anxious."
Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Historical Fiction Thoughts: This is quite an interesting story, I have only heard about the Cultural Revolution through documentaries and textbooks but not usually from someone of that culture so this was quite educational for me. The popping back and forth through time threw me a little since it wasn’t warned but it didn’t happen much so it wasn’t too bad. It’s interesting to see how both politics and secrets can shape relationships and the way in which the family raises a child in an unconventional way with parents raising the grandchild. It was also quite interesting to see the Western world and traditions through an ‘outsider’ lens and see how different it can be to those of another culture to try embrace what I grew up with. Favourite Quote: “After all, wasn't it true that to love someone is to figure out how to tell yourself their story?”