Book Review: Guts

 

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY

Telgemeier, R., & Lamb, B. (2019). Guts. Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic.

ISBM: 1338598597

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This story shares the story of Raina, a young girl who suffers from stomach problems that are directly related to her anxiety. During the story, we read how Raina tries to overcome her anxiety from going to therapy, to vomiting, frequently wanting to sit in the toilet, and wanting to missing school. By the end of the story, Raina learns that everyone has issues that don’t like sharing and that keep and going to therapy is actually more common then she had initially thought.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This novel is so good! From the beginning, Telgemeier engages her readers by making Raina’s character so relatable. As I read through each page, I was reminded of different emotions and feelings I experience when I am not comfortable with a situation. Hearing her mention how the only space in her house where she could feel at peace was in the restroom reminded me of some of students who often run to the restroom. I really liked that how this novel addressed anxiety among teenagers and how it clearly outlined some of the effect of anxiety such as vomiting and stomach issues. This helps make this story so relatable among young readers. I also liked how Raina’s character shows young readers that it is ok to talk to someone if they feel anxiety and even offered some tips on dealing this them. My favorite part of the novel was the ending, because it showed readers that everyone has issues and sometimes sharing them can be really helpful and can help bring friends closer.

I love the illustrations in this graphic novel! Telgemeier’s illustrations are so detailed and clearly demonstrate Raina’s emotions. I also love how she used the thinking bubbles to tell the story and how she incorporated onomatopoeia into her illustrations like “Flush” and “Rinnnnggggg.”  Each illustration fits in perfectly with the novel and it is easy to understand who is talking. The color tones used were also perfect, Telgemeier used darker tones to show Raina’s frustration.

4.REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Will Eisner Winner 

Starred review in School Library Journal: "A must."

Starred review in Publisher’s Weekly: "The story both normalizes therapy and shows a child developing useful coping mechanisms for anxiety in a way that will reassure, even inspire, readers."

5. CONNECTIONS

* Have students complete a character analysis of Raina using details from the text. Remind students to think about her actions and her words.

* Group students in small groups and provide them with different quotes/scenarios from the story. Have students reflect on those quote/scenarios and in a group discuss/explain what each quote means to them.  

* If you liked Guts, try these books:

Beaumont, M. R., & Kote, G. (2017). According to Aggie. American Girl.

ISBN: 1683370104

Chmakova, S. (2015). Awkward. Yen Press. ISBN: 0316381306

 Book review completed for SHSU MLA course. 

 

 

 

 

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