Praise for Allergic:
Instant National Indie Bestseller
School Library Journal Best Graphic Novel of the Year
American Library Association Best Graphic Novel for Children
New York Public Library Best Book for Kids
"There's a lot packed into this graphic novel beyond the allergy story line: how family dynamics change with a new baby's arrival, how kids struggle to fit in and find friends. But while it addresses serious issues and emotions, Allergic, unlike hives and sneezing, is mostly madcap fun." The New York Times
"Allergic is the sweetest story you'll read all year. A touching chronicle of a young girl's severe allergies woven into a meaningful journey of friendship, family, and self-discovery." Terri Libenson, New York Times bestselling author of Invisible Emmie
★ "A heartachingly enjoyable tale of resilience." Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Readers will root for this realistic and relatable fifth grader, who's capable of kindness as well as envy and self-doubt... readers will easily identify with her trials and accomplishments." School Library Journal
"Vibrant... easy to recommend." Booklist
"Warm and well-paced... an encouraging tale for young readers engaging with the world of pets, family, and friendships." Publishers Weekly
Praise for the Allergic Audiobook:
American Library Association Notable Children's Recording
★ "A first-rate full-cast audio treatment...Thanks to expertly mixed recording effects and a bouncy music score, the production sounds like a radio drama: overlapping voices, yipping dogs, and multitude of noises." Booklist, starred review
Praise for Squished:
Instant National Indie Bestseller
Barnes & Noble Most Anticipated Kids' Book
Good Housekeeping Kids' Book Award Winner
American Library Association Best Graphic Novel for Children
Bank Street College Best Children's Book
★ "A charming and achingly relatable snapshot of life in a big family." Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Nutter's warm and appealing artwork comically captures the crowded chaos of the Lee household and the matter-of-fact diversity of the town, and the sun-dappled visuals will appeal to anyone who loves the work of Raina Telgemeier or Shannon Hale... This stirring and dynamic graphic novel is sure to win a lot of hearts." Booklist, starred review
★ "Avery’s plights are amusing and approachable, with art from Nutter that is gentle and light-filled. This engaging graphic novel tackles very real feelings and will keep readers invested in Avery’s life. Highly recommended." School Library Journal, starred review
"Brightly colored landscapes and keen dialogue artfully depict common eldest daughter woes." Publishers Weekly
"A warm, heartfelt, relatable comic that shines a light on a "squished" sibling as Avery tries to become more independent and weather life’s changes while still finding her own place at home." The Horn Book
"There is so much to love about this title... The storytelling is fast-paced and has many humorous moments... The artwork is busy and offers the frenetic feel of the hustle and bustle of a large family. The colorization looks vivid and warm, which wraps up the warm tingly feelings all readers will be left with. Another great addition to the middle-grade comics collection." School Library Journal's Good Comics for Kids Blog
"This delightful graphic novel about growing up and carving out your own space is perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier." Barnes & Noble
"An exciting graphic novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter. Most kids will relate to Avery and enjoy this heartwarming story.” Kellen Bhatt, kid reporter for TIME for Kids
"This graphic novels underscores that seemingly opposite things can both be true: You can adore a large family's sense of belonging but still crave some alone time (and your own room). Fans of Sisters will gobble up this book." Good Housekeeping
★ 2020-12-24
A 10-year-old’s world is upended by a diagnosis.
Maggie Wilson believes her birthday will be the best one ever since her parents are letting her get a dog. Although technically it would be the entire family’s dog, Maggie knows deep down that since her younger twin brothers are completely absorbed in one another’s company and her parents are distracted by preparing for the new baby who is arriving in a couple of months, the dog will basically be hers. However, she’s in for a sad surprise when she has a severe allergic reaction while cuddling a puppy at the shelter. After being tested, Maggie is diagnosed as being allergic to multiple species of animals. The doctor recommends that she stay away from anything with fur or feathers. Unwilling to give up her dream of owning a pet, Maggie begins a quest to find the perfect creature. Her allergies are only the start of the troubles Maggie encounters, as entering a new school and her changing family dynamics bring more challenges. Maggie’s inventiveness as she overcomes these trials is showcased through Lloyd’s captivating narrative and Nutter’s bright and dynamic illustrations. The story provides insight into the lives of those with allergies and the accommodations needed to avoid serious episodes. The children’s father reads as White; their mother is brown-skinned.
A heartachingly enjoyable tale of resilience. (Graphic fiction. 8-12)
02/01/2021
This sincere graphic novel follows 10-year-old Maggie Wilson, who, hoping to adopt a puppy on a birthday visit to an animal shelter, instead learns that she’s highly allergic to any animal with fur or feathers. The discovery compounds existing feelings of loneliness—her younger twin brothers have each other, her parents are preparing to welcome a new baby, and Maggie’s starting at a new school thanks to redrawn boundary lines. New neighbor Claire, an only child with a permissive artist father, is a promising friend, and both appreciate the other’s family until Claire gets a dog, and Maggie feels betrayed by both her body and her bestie. The girls resolve their differences through honest conversation, and Maggie begins to find her place in her family and her way to new passions. Debut illustrator Nutter’s realistic art cues Maggie and her siblings as biracial against a suburban Sacramento, Calif., backdrop. In this warm and well-paced story, Lloyd (Paper Mice) shows with nuance how empathy and connection can help a person navigate circumstances outside their control, making this an encouraging tale for young readers engaging with the world of pets, family, and friendships. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary. (Mar.)
01/01/2021
Gr 3–6—The oldest in her family, Maggie is often left attention-starved among her younger twin brothers and working parents, especially now that her mom is pregnant, but a puppy will change that. However, the much-anticipated trip to the animal shelter ends with Maggie itching, sneezing, and breaking out in hives—turns out she is allergic to anything with fur or feathers. A puppy is out of the question, and she must endure allergy shots. Maggie makes a best friend in new neighbor Claire but feels insecure and even jealous—Claire's father seems to let her do anything she wants, and when Claire adopts a puppy, Maggie is sent into a tailspin. Still, Maggie perseveres, realizing that no one's life is perfect, learning to live with allergies, and looking forward to her new sibling's arrival. Readers will root for this realistic and relatable fifth grader, who's capable of kindness well as envy and self-doubt. Lloyd folds in information about allergy tests, anaphylaxis, EpiPens, and other facts that Maggie and her friend Sebastian, who also has allergies, recite to each other. Layouts rely on three to four large panels per page, creating a smooth visual flow; Nutter's muted, uncluttered art has a cozy feel. Maggie and her family are brown-skinned, Claire is Asian, and Sebastian is white. VERDICT Maggie makes new pals here—she'll find even more friends in elementary and middle school libraries, where readers will easily identify with her trials and accomplishments.—Thomas Maluck, Richland Lib., SC