Guts

I wish books like this had been available when I was a kid. Like Raina and many others, I thought I was weird or broken during adolescence. I felt ashamed or embarrassed about a lot of completely normal things. Reading books like GUTS helps kids feel less alone and, I hope, more accepting of themselves and others.

I think it was brave of Raina to share this non-glamorous aspect of her life. And stomach trouble is not exactly an illness that's easy to dramatize. If this were a debut writer, I think I'd have trouble booktalking "kid has gastrointestinal problems" and getting young readers excited about it. Due to Raina's huge popularity, a ton of kids will read this book, which is great.

Also, I think practically everyone should be in therapy.

4.5
On the whole, "Guts" is a wonderful middle-grade story about dealing with anxiety, stress, and changes that I think many young readers in similar situations will be able to able to relate to. It's a very thoughtful book that I wish I had been able to read when I was younger! Telgemeier has this wonderful way of approaching topics in a realistic yet comforting manner that really makes the book feel like a welcoming space.
Two things held this book back a bit: first, even though "Guts" talks a LOT about dealing with bodily stresses head-on, it glosses right over any solid discussion on menstruation other than a stereotypical "Welp, that's puberty!" I thought this was weird considering that no other topic is shied away from. I just would show more have been nice to see a little better moment in that regard.
Secondly, there is a semi-offhand comment about another girl being the victim of verbal abuse from a drunk father than receives no attention at all. I understand that maybe this was something Telgemeier heard from a friend at a sleepover at this age, but for the purpose of this book, I think the issue needed to either be addressed in some way (even just an adult becoming aware of the situation) or cut out for narrative purposes. It's such a small moment but a young reader encountering it will just be left hanging completely.
All in all though, an enjoyable addition to the Smile series - I definitely plan to continue reading! show less

Guts is the third book in the author's Smile series (the second being Sisters). The series is actually a graphic memoir, based on the author's real life. In this particular installment, Raina is struggling with school issues, worries about food and friendships, and oncoming puberty. Things many of us can relate to. I could see my daughter in the pages of the book, which makes sense given they are of a similar age (I think Raina is slightly younger in this memoir).

Guts also touches on mental health concerns, anxiety in particular. Something just about everyone deals with at some point in their life to one degree or another. Raina has suffered with anxiety most of her life. This book was a good opportunity for me to talk with my daughter show more about our personal struggles with anxiety, and how well we could relate to Raina. I appreciated the way the author normalized getting help for anxiety, including seeing a therapist. Something that I wish more books for children would do. Little Raina is such a sweetheart and I wanted to give her a hug more than once. I have great admiration for the author and am grateful she is sharing her story with young readers (and us older ones too). show less

Telgemeier is an author I have heard about for quite some time now. Working as a page at my local library, I have seen firsthand how popular her books are with children and young adults. As much as I wanted to read the controversial Drama, I decided to check this one out since it is her latest work. Not only is the art really appealing, but the story centering on anxiety is really well done. Even though the plot focuses on Telgemeier herself (something I did not realize until I was halfway through it), it never feels self-indulgent. One of my favorite images comes on page 120 where Telgemeier splits up the page into four interconnected panels that show how this anxiety stays on her mind from the time she gets up to the time she bathes show more and goes to bed. Although I still want to read Drama, I am glad I read this book because I can now see why her graphic novels continue to be as popular as they are. show less

Borrowed galley from Stephanie T.

Some of Raina's classmates are hitting puberty (and feeling rather smug about it), but all Raina's getting is anxiety and stomach pains. Her parents are supportive and find her a therapist to talk to; the therapist helps Raina manage her anxiety so it's not so debilitating.

Can you be sick even if you're not sick? Can you be healthy even if you hurt? (69)

Thoughts can exist...feelings can exist...but words do not always exist. (76-77)

"I go to therapy, too."
"REALLY?!"
"Yeah. It's no big deal."
"But no one EVER talks about it!" (201)

This story is slightly different than Telgemeier's other popular titles. Yes, it has the same amazing art and is targeted to the ever-growing middle school graphic novel fan group, but this book is really a memoir that describes Raina's eating and anxiety problems when she was 10. And maybe because this story recounts a difficult period in Raina's life, it carries an extra punch that really expresses the trauma and angst that 10-year old Raina experienced. I'm glad that she is so hugely popular because this book will touch and help other children who have similar anxiety issues.

I just read this for Children's Books group and agree with other members that the appeal is a bit less universal than Smile and Sisters. But those of us who do experience anxiety can appreciate it more, I think. I really like the snaps of the therapy session, and will use that "Feet. Ground. Breathe" tip next time I need a coping strategy... just reading about it felt soothing.

And the pictures in green, especially when Raina is curled up in a fetal position inside bulls-eye rings, also resonated. I missed two weeks of my senior year in high school because I felt like this, and nobody knew why. I didn't know what stress was, but I may very well have felt it. (We did not figure out what was wrong w/me.)

Good book; glad I 'finally' got show more around to reading it.

Just one thing: Puberty at age 10? wtf? Poor girls... I got my first period on my 13th b-day and that was plenty early enough. And certainly we can't be telling 10 yo's what we used to, that "now you are a woman." show less