Scan barcode
themichellegray's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An instant favorite & one of the most relatable graphic novels I've ever read!
This story featured so much more than allergies; themes of friendship, family, animal connections, and hope were all explored with stunning artwork!
This story featured so much more than allergies; themes of friendship, family, animal connections, and hope were all explored with stunning artwork!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death
aus10england's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was so good??? Did not expect how much depth there would be in a book with the topic being allergies. I loved the relatable issues that an older elementary school kiddo might deal with. Also loved how fully realized the family dynamics were! Would recommend for any school library.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Medical content, and Pregnancy
tinytrashqueen's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death
betweentheshelves's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The themes in this book are so relatable to any middle school reader, especially Maggie's changes in friendships. Moving to a new school isn't easy, especially when you do it in middle school. While I enjoyed the fact that Maggie had a lot of agency when it came to picking a new pet, I did kind of wish her parents showed her how much of a commitment it is to get any kind of pet.
The storyline about the new sibling was well done, though, especially as it related to Maggie's desire to get a pet. The art style worked really well for this particular story, and overall, it was an enjoyable read!
The storyline about the new sibling was well done, though, especially as it related to Maggie's desire to get a pet. The art style worked really well for this particular story, and overall, it was an enjoyable read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Medical content
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, and Pregnancy
Minor: Excrement
emily_mh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I appreciated how this book explored the big and little ways that having a disability can impact your life, and how all these things can add up over time. It also definitely had a heartwarming and satisfying ending. However, the pacing and plot was a bit random at times; I found myself wanting more to happen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Excrement
Moderate: death of a pet Minor: divorce, anaphylactic shockcrystalmethany's review
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death
linesiunderline's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This one has a really warm, readable style, with sweet, dynamic artwork to match. I feel like the main character was a very real-seeming kid, and so she will be relatable to many young readers. It’s nice to have a GN that you could put into the hands of a younger reader and not feel like they were too young to appreciate all of the social dynamics that are often at play in some of the very popular graphic novels right now.
I admit I’d been intending to give this a higher star rating based on my initial reading experience, but then I read a review that raised some important concerns around how the book portrays pet ownership. I think these concerns are valid (not researching before getting a pet, especially when you have complex health issues to consider, problems associated with classroom pets, casually giving away a pet because you don’t like it or it doesn’t act how you wished it would, irresponsible pet stores...). I think that the author could have done much better, even while staying in the perspective of a child, to open up conversations around respecting the creatures we bring into our homes / other domestic environments and call “ours.”
So I ended up with some mixed feelings, but I think this book offers something important and engaging to the audience.
I admit I’d been intending to give this a higher star rating based on my initial reading experience, but then I read a review that raised some important concerns around how the book portrays pet ownership. I think these concerns are valid (not researching before getting a pet, especially when you have complex health issues to consider, problems associated with classroom pets, casually giving away a pet because you don’t like it or it doesn’t act how you wished it would, irresponsible pet stores...). I think that the author could have done much better, even while staying in the perspective of a child, to open up conversations around respecting the creatures we bring into our homes / other domestic environments and call “ours.”
So I ended up with some mixed feelings, but I think this book offers something important and engaging to the audience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Medical content, and Pregnancy
kindredbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I received a gifted copy of Allergic from Scholastic Canada in exchange for an honest review.
For fans of Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels, Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter is sure to be a new favourite. The story follows the adventures and misadventures of Maggie as she deals with new information in her life - she is allergic to animals. This is quite a disappointment to say the least as she has wanted nothing more than a pet for so long, especially as she feels left out within her own family. As she learns about allergies, and experiments with different types of animals - much to the horror of her parents as she has severe reactions, Maggie learns more about friendship, family, and acceptance.
I really enjoyed this sweet and funny story and I felt like I really empathized with Maggie as I could see how much she really wanted a pet. I thought the story played out really well with fun and charming characters - all while also portraying the resilience and determination of middle graders. I also liked that this topic of allergies is such a huge focus as it is something that affects many children and adults - and to see a graphic novel coming from that perspective is enlightening and I think it will resonate with those affected by allergies, and also foster understanding in those who are fortunate enough to not have any known allergies.
Thank you to Scholastic Canada for the gifted copy.
For fans of Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels, Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter is sure to be a new favourite. The story follows the adventures and misadventures of Maggie as she deals with new information in her life - she is allergic to animals. This is quite a disappointment to say the least as she has wanted nothing more than a pet for so long, especially as she feels left out within her own family. As she learns about allergies, and experiments with different types of animals - much to the horror of her parents as she has severe reactions, Maggie learns more about friendship, family, and acceptance.
I really enjoyed this sweet and funny story and I felt like I really empathized with Maggie as I could see how much she really wanted a pet. I thought the story played out really well with fun and charming characters - all while also portraying the resilience and determination of middle graders. I also liked that this topic of allergies is such a huge focus as it is something that affects many children and adults - and to see a graphic novel coming from that perspective is enlightening and I think it will resonate with those affected by allergies, and also foster understanding in those who are fortunate enough to not have any known allergies.
Thank you to Scholastic Canada for the gifted copy.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death