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Guts

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Guts
By Raina Telgemeier
Graphix, 2019. Graphic novel.

Raina Telgemeier is back with her latest graphic novel memoir for kids. After a bout of stomach flu in fourth grade, Raina develops a recurring stomachache and a coinciding fear of being sick again. Even a year later, Raina obsessively worries whether certain foods or germs might make her sick and even starts to feel sick to her stomach when she starts to worry about things. When it gets to the point where her schoolwork is affected by her anxiety and she starts avoiding all kinds of food, Raina's parents help her find a therapist to help manage her panic attacks.

In true Telgemeier style, GUTS manages to bring a big issue to light, while grounding it in real elementary school experiences and emotions. Brightly colored panels are interesting and appealing, and showing cartoon Raina in clouds of electric-green effectively conveys feelings of malaise. A good amount of humor - bodily and otherwise - balances the realness of anxiety.
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