If you loved
Guts
Raina Telgemeier · Book · 2019
What hooked you in Guts is the way it validates the messy, overwhelming internal landscape of navigating middle school challenges.
Films on the same thread
Inside Out 2
Kelsey Mann · Film · 2024
Just like the internal struggles Raina faces in Guts, this story visualizes the complex emotional development and teenage angst that accompany the transition through difficult life stages.
Memoir of a Snail
Film · 2024
This film echoes the resilient spirit found in Guts, exploring how a young person finds confidence and processes deep personal misfortune while navigating the challenges of social isolation.
Eighth Grade
Bo Burnham · Film · 2018
If the honest portrayal of school anxiety in Guts resonated with you, this film provides an equally raw and relatable look at the discomfort of middle school self-discovery.
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
Film · 2018
Much like the vulnerability displayed in Guts, this drama captures the weight of heavy emotions and the importance of human connection when facing life-altering circumstances during the teenage years.
Series on the same thread
I Am Not Okay with This
Christy Hall · Series · 2020
This show mirrors the high school awkwardness and internal turmoil depicted in Guts, showing how personal dysfunction and emotional pressure manifest during the difficult process of growing up.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Jenny Han · Series · 2022
Similar to the social dynamics explored in Guts, this story follows a teen girl as she experiences the painful truths and relationship shifts that define coming of age.
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
Series · 2018
This series treats the anxieties of puberty with the same gravity found in Guts, using a metaphorical lens to explore how social pressures affect mental health during adolescence.
Never Have I Ever
Mindy Kaling · Series · 2020
If you appreciated the blend of humor and hardship in Guts, you will connect with this teen's journey to overcome grief and social status struggles while finding herself.
Podcasts on the same thread
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project · Podcast · 2026
For those who found comfort in the therapeutic journey of Guts, this podcast offers practical, manageable advice on building healthy habits and fostering personal well-being in daily life.
The Rachel Hollis Podcast
Three Percent Chance · Podcast · 2026
Much like the self-reflection encouraged by the narrative of Guts, this podcast provides actionable wisdom and a mindset shift to help you grow through life's everyday challenges.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Guts a true story?
Yes, Guts is a true story written by Raina Telgemeier. It recounts the author's personal experiences with a stomach illness and the challenges of navigating school life, friendships, and social dynamics during that time.
Who is the author of Guts?
The author of Guts is Raina Telgemeier. She is a number one New York Times bestselling author who has also received multiple Eisner Awards for her work on other graphic novels including Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts.
What is the plot of Guts?
Guts follows Raina after she wakes up one night with a severe stomach bug. As she recovers and returns to school, she must navigate the complex highs and lows of her social life, including interactions with friends, non-friends, and classmates throughout the school year.
Is Guts part of a series by Raina Telgemeier?
Guts is a standalone graphic novel written by Raina Telgemeier. While it is written by the same author as other popular titles like Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts, it functions as a distinct true story about the author's childhood experiences with illness and school.