This graphic novel packs an emotional punch telling the generational story of a grandmother/mother/daughter and highlighting their lives at age 16. We see how fatphobia can be internalized and become a cycle, but how we also have the power to change that.

This was a phenomenal read about finding self-acceptance amidst managing eating disorders and how problems can be passed down intergeneration ally. The story begins with Roz, age 16, in 2000s Toronto as she navigates challenges surrounding her size, family pressure, prom, and how her interests are viewed by the people around her. Throughout the book, we also see chapters from the perspective of Roz's mother and grandmother, also at the age of 16, which detail their own personal struggles as they grew up (in 1972 and 1954, respectively). Fung puts together a book that is beautiful, charming, and incredibly heartfelt. I was rooting for each of these characters the whole way through. One artistic decision she makes that I felt was especially impactful was how she assigned a specific color to each character. I don't want to spoil too much, but this decision led to a particularly touching visual towards the end. I would recommend this book to everyone!

A beautifully-done graphic novel about three generations of women struggling to find self-love and acceptance across time in Toronto, Hong Kong, and Guandong. Framed through a Toronto teen's story of trying to fit in as a nerdy, plus-sized Chinese-Canadian in 2000, we're also brought back to her mother and grandmother's experiences as 16-year-olds in worlds that constantly told them they were less-than. I think it handles intergenerational trauma and love very realistically (I cried), and has a depth that would make it equally suitable for adult readers.

This honestly reminded me a lot of Limbo, it's a coming of age story that is moving, touching and incredibly relatable.

Love this graphic novel by Rosena Fung! It took me a bit of time to sort out the three storylines, which are delineated through different colour palettes, but it was well worth the effort. The concept of telling the stories of three generations of women in one family, each at age 16, is brilliant. Their differences and similarities echo through time, and the way the three come together in the present day is so satisfying.

Age 16 is a lovely mix of culturally specific details and universal themes around mother-daughter relationships and identity. Even girls who don't struggle with their weight will be able to relate to the anxiety around body image, the societal messaging they receive is so relentless. The book's ultimate message about self acceptance is one every girl needs to read and hear.

I received an ARC from Annick Press Ltd. via NetGalley. Guangdong in 1954 to Hong Kong in 1972, and Toronto in 2000 - grandma, mom and Roz all depicted in their adolescence at age 16. The colors in this YA graphic novel really assist the story and alternating between each ladies story. We see the trials each woman goes through from their own perspective. I related to Roz’s weight issues and her family involvement in that struggle. I liked how this is a story about generations. It seamlessly a multigenerational immigration story and yet a nerdy, coming-of-age story.

Note: I was also 16 in 2000 and while I remember the derogatory language used in high schools during that time period, I wish this story corrected those affronts in the illustrated story. It allows for them to exist as normal.

Age 16 is a multigenerational story inspired by the life of the author, her mother, and her grandmother. Roz is a high school student navigating relationships with family and friends, wanting to be liked romantically, and dealing with negative body image. This graphic novel also deals with generational trauma as it shows Roz’s mother’s teen years in Hong Kong, as well as Roz’s grandmother’s youth in China to powerfully show how even with the best intentions, mothers may wound daughters in the same way their own mother’s hurt them. This novel can be hard hitting at times, but it is also filled with love, acceptance, and enjoyment. While Roz is struggling with her size, especially with the enormous pressure of prom coming up, she is also confident in who she is, what her interests are, and what kind of friend she is.

Coming of age graphic novels are so important because they can be mirrors that reflect the young people who read them. Age 16 is a great exploration of family, history, body image, and more. The art is bright and charming. I’d recommend this to almost anyone, but especially to young people who are still figuring out who they are. This graphic novel is full of great representation and has many important things to say!

I was fairly recently talking with some friends about the body issue trauma we inherited from our moms, and how we're all doing our best to not pass it on to our kids. Our grandmothers all had help in the form of prescription amphetamines, so when their daughters didn't and weren't as thin, they shamed them for their bodies, and our moms did the same to us. I look back at pictures of myself before the disordered eating started, and I don't understand how my mom ever thought it was okay to make the comments she did about my body, and it's no wonder I forced myself to be underweight for so long (at which point, she still said I would never be skinny bc my hips were too wide).

Anyway, this is primarily what Age 16 is about and it made me cry more than once.

This graphic novel did a great hob of tackling very real issues that students face on a daily basis in this coming-of-age tale of cultural identity and self-discovery.

I was very excited to read Age 16 by Rosena Fung because I loved her middle-grade graphic novel Living with Viola and I am happy to say that I was not disappointed!

Fung seems to effortlessly weave together of three generations of women - Por Por (the grandmother) from Guangdong, Lydia (the mom) from Hong Kong, and Roz, the youngest, in Toronto. All three generations are staying together after Por Por makes a surprise visit to their home in Toronto. The main story (in which Roz prepares to go to a dance at school) is interrupted with vignettes of the elder two women's life stories - showing key elements of what their life was like at her age. Their stories shed light on the way they interact with Roz and with each other.

There is a lot to love about this book - the multigenerational immigration story, sharing family trauma, bittersweet coming-of-age feel, and of course the art. I simply loved the artwork - it has the same delightful and thoughtful style as the drawings in Living with Viola and I love the way Fung uses color. The time periods of each of the three women are represented in different colors to help illustrate that we've moved from character-to-character / backwards or forwards in time.

I really enjoyed this book and will add it to our library's collection. I'd recommend this to folks who are interested in family history, immigration, coming-of-age stories, stories about self-image, stories about trauma, and of course, to my graphic novel fans.

Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Reading Copy of this title!

I thoroughly enjoyed Age 16. The different color schemes for each generation's story was a beautiful narrative choice, and I loved how each eventually blended into the present. Roz is a fantastic protagonist, and the fact that she is a plus sized person who is fighting with disordered eating is not shown enough.

Rosena Fung’s Age 16 is a multigenerational story that spans decades and continents. It tells a story that covers three generations taking place in 1950s GuangDong, China, 1970s Hong Kong, and in 2000s Toronto. In the 2000s, we see the youngest member of this family preparing for prom when her por por arrives. From there, the two mother-daughter relationships are explored independently and in how they impact each other. Age 16 is a moving, relatable story that’s hard to put down once you’ve started.

I don’t read graphic novels often, but this was fantastic. For those who don’t typically read graphic novels, I would still recommend this book. The stories of the daughter, mother, and grandmother are told beautifully. The use of color as markers for each family members’ story is a helpful visual cue so this novel is never confusing despite multiple stories being told.

I DNF'd this around 60%.

I was drawn to the concept -- three generations of women, seeing how the parenting of one generation is reflected on the next, passing down of traumas -- but I wasn't drawn in by the illustrations. Unfortunately, with a graphic novel, the art really matters. I couldn't be bothered to return to this book after putting it down at 60%.

Wonderful, I am crying in my kitchen at 3 am after finishing this one. From Guangdong in 1954 to Hong Kong in 1972, and Toronto in 2000, ‘Age 16’ follows three generations of women under one roof.

I have a lump in my throat this was such an incredible graphic novel about generational trauma, race, and beauty. A short read that packs a punch, it’s hard not to see yourself in this story.

The parallels and flashback really do a great job of showcasing the intergenerational trauma and relationship between characters. Between gender expectations and body image/disordered eating. Your heart will ache for each one of them.

Thank you for the arc, this title will be released on June 2nd, 2024.

This was an interesting read. Three generations of women. Three relationship dynamics between grandmother, mom and child. It speaks to generational trauma and how we pick and choose which behaviors to break away from and which ones we stick with knowing they are wrong.

The art concept/execution worked really well. Each lady has their own color on page and in life. There are time jumps or rather going between the past and present. An attempt was made to explain why these people are the way they are. It was sad. I wish them all well.

Netgalley and Publisher: Thank you for the opportunity to read an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This one is actually a graphic novel! I'm rating it four out of five stars. Here are my thoughts on the comic:

-Themes: "Age 16" starrs Roz, a teenager busy dealing with high school life, when her Por Por (grandmother) abruptly shows up and brings chaos with her. Having three generations of women under one roof brings both laughter and tears as the girls open up to each other and basically bond over shared trauma.

-Writing: The book primarily follows Roz, but we also see chapters in her mother's and grandmother's POV, which tells us what childhood events shaped her ancestors. This was fun to read.

-Cover/Artwork: The cover was so good. It had a symbolic theme that showed how intergenerational ideas can pass along, and the lives of your parents are reflected in your own. As for the illustrations, they not only were beautiful, they also supported the words well.

I docked a star because of some confusing aspects, but it was a good book. I got a review copy from Netgalley, and this book is getting released on May 28, 2024.

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Post Date: December 4, 2023
Blog url: http://www.pagesofperfiction.com/
Review link: http://www.pagesofperfiction.com/2023/12/bite-sized-reviews-feat-ya-fantasy-2024.html

Age 16 was so good! I love a family saga and this particular graphic novel follows three generations of mothers and daughters at the age of 16 in different time periods and places. It touches on the themes of family, identity, culture, gender, and more in such an insightful way. I love how complex and developed the characters are and enjoyed the alternating perspectives. It was cohesive and done well. The art style is beautiful too.

Thank you NetGalley and Annick Press for an arc!

Age 16 tells the story of three generations of girls (lydia, her mother, and grandmother) in a Chinese family unfolds with grace and depth. The author skillfully weaves a narrative that spans time, exploring the challenges of each protagonist. Fung does a wonderful job with the artwork and the use of color to represent each generation. The exploration of familial bonds, cultural traditions, and the evolving roles of women is both poignant and thought-provoking. This graphic novel not only tells a compelling story but also serves as a visual celebration of resilience, identity, and strength.

Thank you NetGalley and Annick Press for sending me an e-arc of this beautiful graphic novel Age 16 by Rosena Fung, in exchange for an honest review!

I really loved this graphic novel so much. The art is so cute and beautiful. The story was just so captivating, heartfelt, and a life lesson to us readers.

This graphic novel follows three family members generations when they were the age of 16, a grandmother, mother, and daughter. We see different timelines throughout the book which is from 1954 Guangdong, 1972 Hong Kong, and 2000 Toronto. Three life experiences we get from each characters. One, Por Por, the grandmother, who was married off to a man in Hong Kong and later ends up being a single mother. Lyndia, the mother, who has problems being accepted by her mother, and Roz, the daughter, who suffers from body image and stresses on peoples point of views of her body and being accepted. Readers can see what two characters went through in the past and witness their hardships.

This graphic novel teaches us readers that our parents never had it easy, they went through a very difficult time and that they are not perfect. Their experiences will help us not make the same mistake but have complete control of our lives and end the cycle. We can make a difference, choose the right path, and make better decisions for our lives.

I want to thank the Author Rosena Fung, and Annick Press for sending me a e-arc of Age 16 through NetGalley.

This graphic novel will be published by Annick Press on July 02, 2024

A gorgeous graphic novel surrounding three generations of mothers and daughters showing the pivotal sixteenth year in a young girls life.
This book was gorgeous. I know that once it comes out in full color and picture, it’ll be absolutely stunning and I absolutely will be that one girl in a bookstore sitting for hours staring in awe at the drawings.
This book was a beautiful representation of culture across generations and places around the world. I loved reading about the three characters and I just know that this is going to change many a young girls lives, and I will be recommending and rereading this book for years to come.
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for an eARC of this book