Guts- Comic Book Review

Raina Telgemeier may not be a familiar name, even amongst comic fans, but she’s an extremely accomplished writer and artist in the medium. On May 10, 2015, Raina’s works took all of the top four spots on the New York Times bestseller list for paperback graphic books- a first in the medium but because Raina's books are mostly for teens and young adults many of the older comic fans will not know her.

I do love Raina’s work as it is accessible and honest without being edgy for the sake of it.

I do love Raina’s work as it is accessible and honest without being edgy for the sake of it.

It’s a shame for them though as they are missing out. Since reading her award winning memoir-ish book Smile a few years ago and the follow up Sisters I have been a big fan. She talks with honesty and candidly about matters but always at an appropriate level which isn’t patronising or edge-lordy. She created Drama, a very human story which dealt with issues such as identity, sexuality and friendship and also Ghosts, a tale about a family moving to a haunted town where the ghosts are not scary spooks but rather ancestors who offer the living a connection to their past. Drama and Ghosts showed that Raina could flex her muscles in tales based on wider aspects of life but with her latest book, Guts.

With Guts, the author delves into her past again to look at the trials and tribulations of youth, specifically anxiety and stress and the impact this can have on your life. The story doesn’t feature much of a storyline but there is the over-aching theme of dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, developing food intolerances, having a very sensitive stomach, and connecting with the ‘mean girl’ in her class . Through various vignettes we see that she ends up in therapy, which the book makes clear is no big deal and nothing to be ashamed of.

I liked the book and the underlying message is sweet and well executed- we all have our fears and we have to be brave to face them. The personal reflections of the author at the end, which discuss how she still has many of the same problems- even as an adult, will be valuable to many people who read it as it is honest and heartfelt. That’s why so many people connect with Raina’s work as it speaks to us.

I really liked the book and, whilst not my favourite, it is definitely worth a read.

LINK- Comics in the Classroom

LINK- What Comics Have Taught Me

Baby Sitters Club Volume 1: Kirsty's Great Idea Comic Review

I am trying to engage some of the more reluctant girl readers in my class and came across this book by Raina Telgemeier. I've been a fan of Raina for a years now, enjoying her graphic memoirs Smile and Sisters as well as her original story Drama.
I remember that my younger sister used to absolutely adore the Baby Sitters Club series when she was younger so I am pleased to see they have been re-released for a younger generation to enjoy, in a more concise comic version. I read the comic myself to check for suitability and have to say that it reads well and tackles a few different issues like divorce, diabetes and friendship but never anything too adult or risque in theme.

When I took this into class the graphic novel was read by a couple of girls and they were very excited at the prospect of comics being introduced in the classroom; it was lovely to see this level of engagement.
The boys also wanted to read this so it just goes to show, comics can appeal to all genders and ages irrespective of the theme of the comic.

This comic is suitable for all ages but the pupils in my class, aged 7 and 8, really enjoyed it.

A Shout Out To Comic Creator Raina Telgemeier!

Can you name the top selling comic artist who has been in the New York Times Bestsellers list for the last three years? Alan Moore, Mark Millar, Scott Snyder or Brian K. Vaughan? Maybe you've got Neil Gaiman or someone else like Frank Miller. You're not going to get it, I can tell you now.

Raina Telgemeier.... yup, Raina Telgemeier. For many of you that name will not be familiar, even those of you who are into comics. That's because Raina's books are mostly for teens and young adults. On May 10, 2015, Telgemeier's works took all of the top four spots on the New York Times bestseller list for paperback graphic books- a first in the medium.

She is one of the biggest selling comic artists but is often forgotten from the comics dialogue, overshadowed by more well know brands such as Batman, Superman, Spiderman and the like. However this is a real shame as I love her work, I first read her award winning book Smile a few years ago and incorporated the graphic novel into my computing lesson plans when teaching computing in Cambodia. I got my pupils to use the Scholastic Graphix Comic Builder to create a comic using the in-browser tools and was taken by the art style and honesty in the story.Since then I have read Drama, a very human story which deals with issues such as identity, sexuality and friendship and her follow up to Smile, Sisters.

So this post is merely to flag up the work of a hardworking but under-appreciated and under-recognised artist.