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Allergic

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By Megan Wagner Lloyd
Illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter
New York: Scholastic, 2021. Graphic novel.

Maggie is super excited for her tenth birthday, A.K.A. the best day of her life -- the day that her parents are finally letting her adopt a puppy. Technically it is a family dog, but Maggie knows that her younger twin brothers will be too distracted with each other to care (as usual) and her parents will be too busy with the new baby on the way, so the dog will basically be just Maggie's. When her birthday finally arrives, Maggie has just found the perfect puppy at the shelter when she starts to suddenly break out in a really bad rash. A quick visit to the doctor reveals the worst, Maggie is severely allergic to anything with fur or feathers -- owning her own dog is off the table. Still, Maggie isn't ready to give up on pets just yet, she only needs to find the right one.

Like so many recent graphic novels, Allergic is a perfect coming of age story starring a relatable tween girl who copes with her allergies, her apprehension about her family's new baby, and her loneliness at starting a new school because of a boundary change. This book also provides insights into what life looks like for people with severe allergies -- Maggie gets allergy shots while her friend Lloyd has an egg allergy and carries an EpiPen -- and does a lot to destigmatize people with severe allergies. Cleanly drawn comic panels make this an especially engaging book, and readers will be enchanted by this warm, encouraging story of family, friendship, and connection. 
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