I know I’ve complained before about my kiddos growing out of picture books. And trust me, I’m not going to be okay with that, like, ever. But one thing I HAVE enjoyed about their reading tastes expanding is that we get to discuss books in more detail. I also get to find out what my kids really love about certain books.
One of the graphic novels I was most excited to find out about is Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter. Allergies are near and not-so-dear to this family. Vivi has terrible animal allergies (we’ve yet to find an animal that DOESN’T make her sneeze), Lily has seasonal allergies (and celiac disease, which isn’t exactly an allergy, but definitely impacts our day-to-day lives), Karl is allergic to pollen and mold and I’m allergic to everything under the sun, except chocolate.
Okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating that last part. But honestly, not by much. My allergies are wide-ranging and insane. I can’t eat so many things. Animals are awesome, but they all make me sneeze (except for fish, which I will never own because fish all hate me and die upon arriving at my house). Allergies are a thing we’re all familiar with, is what I’m saying.
I bought this book for Vivi and she devoured it in an afternoon. Today, I’m going to interview her and find out exactly what she thought of it.
What was the book about, in a nutshell? (Allergy humour. Nutshell. Heh.)
V: This girl, Maggie, who really wanted a pet, but couldn’t have one because of all her allergies.
What was your favourite part of the book?
V: I really liked the part where, at the end, they go to the aquarium, and that’s where Maggie finds her true passion.
Which is?
V: Studying fish! She wants to be a marine biologist.
What was the most believable part of the book, from an allergic-person’s point-of-view?
V: Like myself, who has pretty much the same allergies as Maggie, the part where her parents made the executive decision that she should get allergy shots. It’s very believable. If she has that many allergies, I get the point.
But you don’t get allergy shots.
V: I know, but she has allergies to everything under the sun.
Who was your favourite character in the book?
V: I like Maggie best, of course. I felt for her. She went through what I’ve gone through, which is having bad allergies when your siblings want a pet.
If you weren’t allergic and could have any pet in the world, what would you choose?
V: I’d probably have a cat. If it was a tabby, I’d call it Tangerine. If it was a Russian Blue, I’d name her Sapphire, after the precious stone.
Who do you think should read this book?
V: A person who has allergies, like Maggie. And a person who wants to know that they can find their passion, even with allergies. Allergic was so unique. Even though it wasn’t meant to be sad at all, I got a little teary-eyed at the end.
Why?
V: It was just so powerful. I can understand how it wouldn’t be that powerful to a person who didn’t have as many allergies. But since I do have such bad allergies to so many animals, I understand it and I really do love the book.
What rating would you give it out of five?
V: 5 stars!
Jess Reviews a Book 