Guts: A Graphic Novel

Smile (2020), Sisters (2014) by Raina Telgemeier

These two graphic memoirs along with Guts form a trilogy describing the formative years of Telgemeier as she reaches middle school, dealing with her relationships with her sister and brother and a fateful accident that puts her in braces for years.

• Smile on SuperSummary

Sophie Washington: My BFF (2020) by Tonya Duncan Ellis

A lifelong relationship between two best friends faces new challenges for tween girls; the novel involves several thematic elements of Guts, especially the difficulty in maintaining friendships as individuals mature.

Art Matters: Because Your Imagination Can Change the World (2018) by Neil Gaiman, Illustrated by Chris Riddell, William Morris

A collection of essays from a famous multi-media artist on using art to challenge one’s most pressing problems; Telgemeier is a living example of these principles.

Normal: One Kid’s Extraordinary Journey (2020), by Magdalena and Nathaniel Newman, Illustrated by Neil Swaab

A non-fiction account of a boy with TC Syndrome that dramatically alters his appearance, even after 60 surgeries, as he strives to live a “normal” life; as with Guts, the main character, even though unique, embodies the essence of the struggle for “normality” faced by every maturing child.