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A review by dembury
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
4.0
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 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!
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 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!