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A review by kelly_e
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
Title: Guts
Author: Raina Telgemeier
Series: Smile #3
Genre: Graphic Novel
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: September 17, 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Thoughtful • Effective • Helpful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When Raina wakes up one night with an upset stomach, they assume it's just a bug, as her mother also as one. What ensues is an aversion to food and throwing up. After few days, Raina returns to school where she must endure the highs and lows of growing up - changing friends, tests, etc. It soon becomes clear that her tummy trouble isn't going away, and so her mother takes her to the doctor in order to figure what is going on.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Guts is the third book in the Smile series from celebrated graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier. Of the three, I would definitely say this is the most important of the bunch. It centers around Raina's struggle with anxiety, phobia, panic attacks, and sensitive stomach. But it doesn't stop there, it combines how these things can interact with food, hormones, puberty, and mean people, etc. It also shines a light on therapy and the power of talking about our thoughts and feelings. There needs to be more books out there that help remove the stigma surrounding therapy, and to which kids can relate to. I know I'd have certainly benefited from a book like this back when I was in school.
My one issue is that I felt as though it could have used more explanation. It wasn't until the author's note that I really grasped what Raina was going through. In fact for much of the book I assumed it to be about puberty, menstruation, and menstrual cramps. I'd have preferred a clearly picture.
The illustrations continue to be a highlight. They are of real kids going through relatable struggles which is what makes these books so valuable.
Written and targeted as a series of books for kids, I definitely think the entire series (particularly Guts) opens up dialogue between kids and adults to talk openly about mental health struggles. I'd highly recommend this book to any child dealing with anxiety and panic, as well as to educators and parents of these children.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers of all ages
• middle grades students
• educators
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Thoughts can exist... feelings can exist... but words do not always exist."
Author: Raina Telgemeier
Series: Smile #3
Genre: Graphic Novel
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: September 17, 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Thoughtful • Effective • Helpful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When Raina wakes up one night with an upset stomach, they assume it's just a bug, as her mother also as one. What ensues is an aversion to food and throwing up. After few days, Raina returns to school where she must endure the highs and lows of growing up - changing friends, tests, etc. It soon becomes clear that her tummy trouble isn't going away, and so her mother takes her to the doctor in order to figure what is going on.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Guts is the third book in the Smile series from celebrated graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier. Of the three, I would definitely say this is the most important of the bunch. It centers around Raina's struggle with anxiety, phobia, panic attacks, and sensitive stomach. But it doesn't stop there, it combines how these things can interact with food, hormones, puberty, and mean people, etc. It also shines a light on therapy and the power of talking about our thoughts and feelings. There needs to be more books out there that help remove the stigma surrounding therapy, and to which kids can relate to. I know I'd have certainly benefited from a book like this back when I was in school.
My one issue is that I felt as though it could have used more explanation. It wasn't until the author's note that I really grasped what Raina was going through. In fact for much of the book I assumed it to be about puberty, menstruation, and menstrual cramps. I'd have preferred a clearly picture.
The illustrations continue to be a highlight. They are of real kids going through relatable struggles which is what makes these books so valuable.
Written and targeted as a series of books for kids, I definitely think the entire series (particularly Guts) opens up dialogue between kids and adults to talk openly about mental health struggles. I'd highly recommend this book to any child dealing with anxiety and panic, as well as to educators and parents of these children.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers of all ages
• middle grades students
• educators
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Thoughts can exist... feelings can exist... but words do not always exist."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Eating disorder, and Bullying
anxiety