Community Reads for Kids – Guts by Raina Telgemeier
Community Reads for Kids is a countywide reading program that encourages everyone in our community to read and discuss the same book. This year we are reading Guts by the very popular author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier. The library will host an online book discussion on Wednesday, January 11 and an online author talk on Wednesday, January 18. Two speakers from Contra Costa Behavioral Health will host an online talk geared for adults about anxiety in children and teens on January 25.
In the graphic novel Guts, Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it’s probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she’s dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina’s tummy trouble isn’t going away...and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What’s going on? 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.
Kids already may have read the first two books in the Smile series, of which Guts is the third, Smile and Sisters , each stand-alone true stories from Raina’s childhood. Try these suggested readalikes if you are interested in more memoirs by other authors that read as graphic novels. Raina also has fictional graphical novels Drama and Ghosts. All are #1 New York Times bestsellers. She also adapted and illustrated four graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin’s Baby-Sitters Club series, and has contributed short stories to many anthologies. Raina’s accolades include six Eisner Awards, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, a Stonewall Honor, and many Best-of and Notables lists. Raina lives and works in San Francisco, CA.
You can take inspiration from the smiley face covers of Smile, Sisters, and Guts and make your own book cover expressing yourself! Simply print out or pick up the book cover art at your local library, decorate it, and return it to the library for display.
In Guts, young Raina puts her art skills to work in overseeing a class get-well card to a school friend in the hospital. Now you have a chance to Send a Smile to Delta View Post-Acute in Antioch, a rehabilitation and skilled care center with patients eager to hear from you! Visit your local library to learn how to send a Smile.
Find online courses related to wellness and mental health in the workplace and beyond on LinkedIn Learning. One of the Library’s most popular digital resources, LinkedIn Learning has thousands of free online courses that can be accessed any time. All you need is a Library card or eCard.
Don't forget to also sign up for the Winter Reading Challenge. From January 1 - 31, you are encouraged to read and log 600 minutes during the challenge. Earn emoji badges, enjoy emotion themed booklists, and write fervent, enthusiastic, dramatic, or stirring book reviews.
