If you loved
Books like Guts
A warm, deeply relatable exploration of how our minds and bodies react to the overwhelming pressures of growing up. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Guts.
- anxious but hopeful
- warm
- nostalgic
- comforting
- 01
Courage
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, deeply validating hug of a graphic memoir that makes the terrifying, isolating feelings of childhood anxiety feel manageable and shared.
- 02
Sisters
Raina Telgemeier
A funny, deeply relatable ride through the cramped quarters of a family road trip and the even tighter confines of sisterhood.
- 03
Becoming Brianna
Terri Libenson
An earnest, briskly paced graphic novel that captures the anxiety of a looming milestone and the messy, rewarding process of finding your true friends.
- 04
Real Friends
Shannon Hale
A deeply validating, emotionally honest exploration of the roller coaster of childhood friendships and the quest to find where you truly belong.
- 05
Nat Enough
Maria Scrivan
An earnest and encouraging graphic novel about surviving a friendship breakup and discovering that you are already exactly who you need to be.
- 06
I Am Not Okay With This
Charles Forsman
A stark, deadpan exploration of teenage alienation where repressed trauma manifests as uncontrollable, destructive power.
- 07
Best Friends
Shannon Hale
A deeply relatable, visually expressive journey through the emotional rollercoaster of middle school social politics.
- 08
All's faire in middle school
Victoria Jamieson
A warm, visually engaging exploration of the awkward clash between a quirky, theatrical family life and the harsh realities of public middle school.
- 09
Tomboy
Liz Prince
A funny, heartfelt exploration of the messy middle ground between boyhood and girlhood, fueled by punk rock and adolescent angst.
- 10
Making friends
Kristen Gudsnuk
A chaotic, colorful, and deeply relatable magical romp through the awkward transitions of middle school.
- 11
Allergic
Megan Wagner Lloyd
A warm, deeply relatable exploration of childhood disappointment and the creative ways we find to belong.
- 12
Gender Queer
Maia Kobabe
A deeply vulnerable, beautifully illustrated journey through the messy, confusing, and ultimately joyful process of finding the right words for who you are.
