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It was fun to read this because it really gave some new info about Smile and Raina's relationship with her friends. There's not a cohesive storyline, and that probably won't bother most people, but for me it makes a book less enjoyable. I am seeing a kind of epidemic of anxiety/stress/depression and so on in classrooms everywhere, which means life everywhere, way worse than when I began teaching decades ago. One after the other, her thoughts revolve around food, what her family eats, school, what if she embarrass herself at school, what if her friends don't want her anymore.

Kacy Helwick, New Orleans Public Library Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission. It makes it all the sadder when Raina loses that sort of innocent fascination and sense of icky fun and has it replaced instead with fear. Books like “Guts” offer over-worried kids a kind of literary hug and a message of “It’s going to be okay. Raina's parents stayed supportive throughout, and they got her into therapy; eventually, she was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome.

There's a wonderful moment at the end of the book where Raina, now more comfortable with her issues, admits to what she's been struggling with at a sleepover with her girlfriends.It is a topic that is not commonly discussed in a format for young readers - and I appreciated Telgemeier's candor. She is also the creator of Drama and Ghosts, and is the adapter and illustrator of the first four Baby-sitters Club graphic novels. GutsRaina has tummy trouble, and it seems to coincide with her worries about food, school, family, and changing friendships. Seriously, she’s ridiculously popular among the age groups of six to thirteen, and several of her books have won the prestigious Will Eisner Award in that age group.

Especially important is a scene in which Raina's therapist talks her through a grounding technique and deep breathing exercise, giving readers a coping technique that they can use. When I visit grades 4 - 6 and ask if anyone has read the Smile series, almost every hand goes up - boys included! She ends up in therapy, which the book sweetly makes clear is not a big deal or something to be ashamed of. I think we need to begin stepping away from keeping things like mental health issues and addiction anonymous and the sooner we can do it with our kids the better off we're all going to be. Raina Telgemeier once again brings us a thoughtful, charming, and funny true story about growing up and gathering the courage to face—and conquer—her fears.I, and god knows how many other people, struggled for years and years with crippling anxiety and depression.