Middle Grade Monday: Sunny Figures It Out by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

Image: Scholastic

Sunny Figures It Out by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. Sunny #6. 224 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc. July, 2025. 9781338792478. Review of finished purchased copy.

Middle Grade Monday features Sunny Figures It Out by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. This sixth installment in the Sunny series does not disappoint. Sunny is enjoying her friendship with Tony, but is pressured to take it to the next level by her boy-crazy friend, and it just doesn't feel right. Meanwhile, her mom is about to re-enter the work force. 

I love this series and the fact that all the 70's stuff, like rotary phones is explained. The peer pressure to conform has not changed at all though, making this gn memoir relatable to contemporary readers. Keep them coming!

#tbt: Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Image: Scholastic

Smile by Raina Telgemeier. 213 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., 2010.

#tbt features Smile by Raina Telgemeier. Smile, indeed all of Ms. Telgemeier's books are in high-demand at TMS. Smile is the memoir of Ms. Telgemeier's tween years, when an unfortunate fall caused tremendous damage to her teeth and resulted in dental work which impacted her socially and psychologically. 

Young readers respond to Ms. Telgemeier's humor, bold palette and dynamic panelling. Young Raina's situation is totally relatable. 

Smile was Ms. Telgemeier's Scholastic debut and won an Eisner Award as well as mentions in "Best Books" lists from YALSA and the Notable Books committee. It was also named a Boston Globe/ Horn Book Nonfiction Honor title. 

Fact Friday: Change the Game: a Graphic Novel by Colin Kaepernick and Eve L. Ewing.

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Change the Game: a Graphic Novel by Colin Kaepernick and Eve L. Ewing. Illustrated by Orlando Caicedo. 144p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., March, 2023. 9781338789652. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy penultimate Friday of the school year! Can you tell that penultimate is one of my favorite words? Fact Friday features Change the Game: a Graphic Novel by Colin Kaepernick. Young Colin was a multi-sport student athlete at his high school. Adopted by white parents, and attending a predominantly white school, Colin experienced casual racism daily. He was being scouted by colleges to play baseball thanks to his fastball, but he has doubts about playing baseball. No colleges expressed an interest in having him play football. 

This graphic novel conveys Colin Kaepernick's gradual coming of age thoughtfully, interspersing some excellent sports sequences. I'm not sure how many middle school students are aware of Mr. Kaepernick* or his social justice activism, but fans of football and baseball as well as graphic novel memoirs will enjoy this thoughtful entry.

*The Monday after Mr. Kaepernick first took a knee, I was standing behind an eighth grader who liked to stir the waters. He took a knee during the pledge, then looked around and saw me. He stood up immediately. I called him aside and told him that if he was taking a knee on principle and in support, I had no problem, but if he was looking to get a rise out of his classmates and teachers, he should rethink it. 

Fact Friday: Sunshine: How One Camp Taught Me about Life, Death, and Hope by Jarrett J. Krosockzka

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Sunshine: How One Camp Taught Me about Life, Death and Hope by Jarrett J. Krosockzka. 240 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc. April, 2023. 9781338356311. (Review of finished purchased copy)

Happy Friday! Fact Friday features Sunshine: How One Camp Taught Me about Life, Death and Hope by Jarrett K. Krosockzka. Fans of the author/ illustrator's Hey, Kiddo will be happy to learn of this new memoir. In 1994, sixteen-year-old Jarrett decided to leave his comfort zone and volunteer at Camp Sunshine for a week. This was a camp in Maine where children who had cancer and their families could spend a week sailing and doing regular camp things. Jarrett's grandma worries it will be too depressing, but Jarrett has an open mind. He's assigned to Diego, who has brain cancer and is wheelchair-bound. He's also not interested in being at camp and is unwilling to participate in camp activities. Jarrett gives him his space, but is quietly encouraging. He also befriends Eric and his family. Eric is obsessed with Power Rangers and also has leukemia.

The limited pallet of browns, greys and yellows effectively convey mood as Jarrett moves through his week trying to make each family feel at home and have fun. Photos, drawings and clippings from his time at camp begin each chapter, and readers gain insight into some challenges others face in this touching memoir.

 

Fact Friday: A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

Image: Macmillan

A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat. 320 p. First Second/ Macmillan, February, 2023. 9781626724150. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

Fact Friday features A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat. Years before becoming a Caldecott Medal-winning author/ illustrator, Dan Santat was an introverted middle school student doing his best to fly under the radar of teachers as well as classmates. He is the only child in his family and his parents want him to spread his wings a bit. Their answer is to send him to Europe on a class trip the summer after his eighth grade year.

He really doesn't want to go and is dismayed to learn that some of his female tormenters are in the group. He learns some lessons the hard way, such as unwittingly eating an entire basket of delicious French bread only to find that he was getting charged for each! He discovers Fanta and revels in the art at the Louvre. 

The art is just gorgeous. Landmarks and cityscapes are brought to glorious life and flashbacks are done in muted blues and add context. At turns hilarious and poignant, readers will relate to the angst and ache while also marveling over life before smart phones and social media. 

Fact Friday: Play Like a Girl: a Graphic Memoir by Misty Wilson and illustrated by David Wilson

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Play Like a Girl: a Graphic Memoir by Misty Wilson and illustrated by David Wilson. 272 p. Balzer + Bray/ HarperCollins Publishers, September, 2022. 9780063064690. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Friday! It is the end of a lo-ong week! Fact Friday features a graphic memoir called Play Line a Girl: a Graphic Memoir by Misty Wilson and illustrated by David Wilson. 

It's the early aughts and seventh grader Misty is athletic and competitive. She has always enjoyed competing against the boys, especially in football. Now, they are playing tackle for the school team and shutting her out. She convinces her best friend, Bree to try out for the team, but doesn't anticipate the grueling practices, the team's hostility and the disinterest by Bree. Her parents and coach are supportive and she does find some support from a team member, who helps her adjust.

This is the story of her football season and in addition to school and friendship drama, there is plenty of great football action. The vibrant, appealing art is reminiscent of fan favorite Raina Telgemeier and Misty is totally relatable. 

Play Like a Girl is this husband/ wife team's debut and is a terrific addition to any school or classroom library.

Fact Friday: Victory, Stand: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derick Barnes. Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile

Image: Norton Young Readers

Victory, Stand: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derick Barnes. Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile. 208 p. Norton Young Readers, September, 2022. 9781324052159. (Review of finished, purchased copy.)

Happy Friday! Fact Friday features Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derick Barnes and illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile. This graphic novel memoir opens dramatically, depicting Mr. Smith preparing to run the 200 meter race in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. Then, flashes back to the author's youth. He was the seventh of twelve children and his parents were sharecroppers in Acworth, Texas. The family were poor, but hard-working and all the children worked the farm from an early age. His parents valued education as well and young Tommie was a good student. He was also a natural athlete, excelling in multiple sports.

He won an athletic scholarship to college to play football, basketball and to run track. But obtaining an education was the goal. Though he encountered racism his entire life, he was one of the few Black students on campus and student athletes who were Black encountered racism from spectators as well as opposing teams. Additionally, the civil rights movement was gaining momentum and some Black student athletes thought they should also be making a stand.

This dynamic memoir with its gorgeous black and white illustrations and effect paneling, will keep readers riveted. The author provides insight into his own motivations as well as important historical context. Both he and his teammate, John Carlos were stripped of their Olympic medals when they protested during the playing of the National Anthem.

Victory. Stand! was a National Book Award Finalist, a finalist for the 2023 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award, and a Horn Book Fanfare. It made many year-end Best Books lists as well. Highly recommended for your graphic novel fans as well as sports history buffs and budding activists. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosockza

Image: Scholastic

Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosockza. 240 p. Graphix/ Scholastic, April 18, 2023. 9781338356328.

Happy Wednesday! Waiting on Wednesday features Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosockza. TMS Readers who are fans of Mr. Krosockza's award-winning graphic novel memoir Hey, Kiddo! will be thrilled to learn about Sunshine, which is due out on April 18, 2023.

Publisher synopsis: When Jarrett J. Krosoczka was in high school, he was part of a program that sent students to be counselors at a camp for seriously ill kids and their families. Going into, Jarrett was worried: Wouldn't it be depressing, to be around kids facing such a serious struggle? Wouldn't it be grim?

But instead of the shadow of death, Jarrett found something else at Camp Sunshine: the hope and determination that gets people through the most troubled of times. Not only was he subject to some of the usual rituals that come with being a camp counselor (wilderness challenges, spooky campfire stories, an extremely stinky mascot costume), but he also got a chance to meet some extraordinary kids facing extraordinary circumstances. He learned about the captivity of illness, for sure . . . but he also learned about the freedom a safe space can bring.

Now, in his follow-up to the National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo, Jarrett brings readers back to Camp Sunshine so we can meet the campers and fellow counselors who changed the course of his life.

Middle Grade Monday: The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat

Image: Scholastic

The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat. Illustrated by Joanna Cacao. 272 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc. September, 2022. 9781338741261. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed a gorgeous weekend where you live! I had a lovely, productive weekend with long walks and the first round of leaf wrangling. Middle Grade Monday features The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat. Ms. Soontornvat who has won awards for both her fiction (A Wish in the Dark) and her non-fiction (All Thirteen) makes her graphic novel debut with her memoir of cheer tryouts. 

Starting seventh grade is hard for Christina and her bff, Megan. Christina is biracial. Her dad is Thai and her mom is white. Megan is Iranian American. The two suffer from micro-aggressions and overt racism. Christina can't seem to get fashion right either. They admire the confidence of the cheerleaders and decide to tryout for the squad.

The bright palette depicts the highs and lows of Christina's experience with energy and good humor. Graphic novel fans will not want to miss this!

Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes. Illustrated by Dawn Anybwile

Image: Norton Young Readers

Waiting on Wednesday features a graphic novel memoir called Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes. Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile. Mr. Anyabwile is fast becoming one of my favorite graphic novel artists. He illustrated Kwame Alexander's The Crossover. Mr. Barnes won a Newbery Honor for his debut picture book, Crown: Ode to a Fresh Cut. He collaborated with Mr. Smith on this memoir. It will be published on September 27 (my birthday!). 

Here's the publisher synopsis: A groundbreaking and timely graphic memoir from one of the most iconic figures in American sports—and a tribute to his fight for civil rights.

On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon African Americans. Both men were forced to leave the Olympics, received death threats, and faced ostracism and continuing economic hardships.

In his first-ever memoir for young readers, Tommie Smith looks back on his childhood growing up in rural Texas through to his stellar athletic career, culminating in his historic victory and Olympic podium protest. Cowritten with Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Honor recipient Derrick Barnes and illustrated with bold and muscular artwork from Emmy Award–winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile, Victory. Stand! paints a stirring portrait of an iconic moment in Olympic history that still resonates today.

I can't wait to add this to my school library's collection. And, isn't that cover amazing? Happy reading!

Fact Friday: Run: Book One by John Lewis

Image: Abrams Books

Run: Book One by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin. Illustrated by L. Fury and Nate Powell. 160 p. Abrams ComicArts/ Abrams Books, August, 2021. 9781419730696. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Happy Friday! Fact Friday features Run: Book One by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin and illustrated by L. Fury and Nate Powell. This is the beginning of a second trilogy by the team that brought us the multiple award-winning trilogy, March. It picks up right after the events in March: Book Three and the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The passage was a victory for Civil Rights activists, but the work against racism was far from over. There was pushback from many segregationists and there was still work to be done to right racial wrongs. This led to division within SNCC, the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee, which Mr. Lewis led. He suffered a crisis of confidence after his ouster from the organization, but did not lose his commitment to pursuing a non-violent solution. "First you march, then you run."


Over thirty pages of back matter include biographies of the many Civil Rights activists who worked with Congressman Lewis, extensive notes on the creation of the book, sources and notes on the art. The March trilogy is quite popular among my students and they were very excited to learn about Run: Book One. Both series are essential additions to any type of library. 

Fact Friday: Chunky by Yehudi Mercado

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Chunky by Yehudi Mercado.  208 p. Katherine Tegan Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, June, 2021. 9780062972790. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

Happy Friday! Fact Friday features Chunky by Yehudi Mercado. This graphic novel memoir draws on the author's youth, his health struggles and desire to fit in. Readers meet Hudi in his imaginary world where he stars in a variety of sports. IRL, Hudi is at the doctor's office being weighed and told that he needs to lose weight. He deflects with humor, which cracks his doctor up, but annoys his mother. Hudi's not paying attention though. Something has caught his eye and that something is following their car home.

Hudi is surprised to see his dad home and his mom wants him to talk to Hudi. His sisters don't want to play with him, so he goes to his room to sulk and he discovers Chunky. Chunky isn't just an imaginary friend, he's an imaginary mascot and it's Chunky's mission to cheer Hudi on. He will need it, because his parents insist he try a sports team to get Chunky out and active. And so, he tries a series of sports.

Hudi has a bit of a hard time fitting in. He's the only half-Mexican, half-Jewish kid he knows. He lost a lung to an infection and is overweight. His stress increases when his dad loses his job. Chunky and Hudi's talent for cracking jokes at his own expense help him through tough times.

Hudi is a charmer. The art is vibrant and energetic. Back matter includes a touching author's note and photos. Chunky  should be a hit with fans of graphic novel memoirs and artists like Raina Telgemeier. 

Fact Friday: Almost American Girl: an illustrated memoir by Robin Ha

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Almost American Girl: an illustrated memoir by Robin Ha. 240 p. Balzer + Bray/ HarperCollins Publishers, January, 2020. 9780062685094. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

Fact Friday features Almost American Girl: an illustrated memoir by Robin Ha. This graphic novel memoir movingly depicts the author's experience from the time her single-mother took fourteen-year-old Chuna to America for "vacation" in the middle of the school year to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama through college. She liked her host family well enough but when Chuna's mom announced that she was getting married and Chuna would begin school, she's devastated. She speaks almost no English. While her now step-family is kind enough, the eldest daughter, who is supposed to be helping Chuna at school, isn't. Her bond with her mom is still strong despite the upheaval and her mom reminds Chuna how much she loves to draw. She enrolls her in a cartooning class, where Chuna finds friendship at class and solace in her art.

The palette of this graphic novel is mostly muted blues. Chuna's memories of her life in Korea and the different bullying she received there because of her mother's unmarried status, are depicted in browns. The art is enthralling. 

Though the abrupt changes in Chuna's life are crushing, Ms. Ha's memoir is not bitter. There are plenty of moments of hilarity mixed with the disruptions and tension. Fans of graphic novel memoirs will love this one.

Fact Friday and Arc Review: Sylvie by Sylvie Kantrovitz

Image: Candlewick Press

Sylvie by Sylvie Kantrovitz. 352 p. Candlewick Press, February 9, 2021. 9781536207620. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Happy Friday! We made it through another week of hybrid learning/ teaching! Our Graphic Novel Week concludes with Fact Friday, which features Sylvie by Sylvie Kantrovitz. Sylvie moves with her family from Morocco to France as a young child so that her father can become principal of a school. She and her family have an apartment at the school and she and her brother delight in exploring all the nooks and crannies when they aren't fighting with each other. 

As she grows older and relationships become more complicated, she realizes some things - her parents fight a lot, and maybe it isn't the coolest thing to be the daughter of the principal. She loves her gentle father very much and becomes aware that she disappoints her mother. Sylvie loves art and her mom insists that she pursue math and science. 

This graphic novel memoir explores Sylvie's complicated relationships using simple language and uncomplicated cartoonish art. Universal themes such as identity, friendship and parental love make Sylvie relatable. Look for it February 9, 2021. 

Teen Tuesday Honors the Memory of Congressman John Lewis

Image: Top Shelf Productions

March Book One; March Book Two; March Book Three by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin. Illustrated by Nate Powell. Top Shelf Productions, 2013; 2015 and 2016 respectively. Slipcase set, June, 2016. 9781603093958. (Review of individually purchase copies.)

To commemorate the passing of Congressman John Lewis over the weekend, Teen Tuesday features his graphic novel memoir trilogy - March Book One; March Book Two and March Book Three. March Book One begins as Congressman Lewis awakens from a dream reliving the march in Selma. He awakes to prepare to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama, then flashes back to his childhood as he relates his story to a pair of young brothers who come to visit. One of them notices that his office shelves were filled with chickens. 

Former sixth grade students may remember a certain picture book biography that was popular in the picture book biography unit, Preaching to the Chickens. The congressman, who grew up on a farm his parents sharecropped, wanted to become a preacher and practiced preaching to the family's chickens as he cared for them. 

He grew up in the segregated south and became inspired by the preaching of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Eventually, he became part of MLK's inner circle and at age 23, was one of the youngest speakers at the 1963 March on Washington. All his life, he remained dedicated to raising "good trouble," by using non-violent confrontation as a means to end injustice.

Like the Congressman himself, this trilogy made history. March Book One was the first graphic novel to win a Robert F. Kennedy Book Award It was also named a Coretta Scott King Author Honor. In the fall of 2016 March Book Three was the first graphic novel to win a National Book Award. His acceptance speech is one of my favorites. Here's a link. In January of 2017, March Book Three garnered a Coretta Scott King Author award; the Robert F. Sibert Informational Literature Book Award, the Michael Printz Award and the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction. It then went on to win the Eisner Award as well as the Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children's literature. There's no room for all the medals on the cover!

The congressman happened to be in the room when the Youth Media Awards were announced because the conference was in Atlanta that year. He had led the Atlanta Women's March on January 21 and spent a great deal of time in the convention center with tens of thousands adoring librarians. He was open and interested in everyone who stopped by to say hello and posed for pictures with grace.

I can't think of a better way to learn about the Civil Rights Movement than through these books. I woke up early on Saturday morning feeling a bit low. The first thing I saw when I picked up my phone was news of his death. My mood sank even lower. What a crushing loss. Rest easy, sir.

#tbt: To Dance by Siena Gershon Siegal

Image: Simon & Schuster

To Dance: a ballerina's graphic memoir by Siena Cherson Siegal. Illustrated by Mark Siegal. 88 p. Atheneum Books for Young Readers/ Simon & Schuster, October, 2006. 9781416926870 (Own)

#tbt features To Dance: a ballerina's graphic memoir by Siena Cherson Siegal. Illustrated by Mark Siegal. To Dance is the author's memoir of her journey from six-year-old girl dancing on the beach in Puerto Rico through her acceptance to the School of American Ballet to her debut with the New York City Ballet. It was published in October of 2006 and was named to many "Best" lists, such as ALA Notables. It also won a Sibert Honor. You don't need to love or study ballet to enjoy this memoir. It is the story of dedication to an art and is beautifully illustrated by the author's husband.

Fact Friday: When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamad

Image: Penguin Random House

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. Illustrated by Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy. 264 p. Dial Books/ Penguin Random House, April 14, 2020. 9780525553915. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Fact Friday features When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. Omar Mohamed fled his village in Somalia after his father was murdered by soldiers and his mother went missing. He and his younger brother, Hassan, who is non-verbal, walked to a refugee camp in Kenya. Omar did his best to protect his vulnerable brother but life in the camp was filled with boring days, empty stomachs and waiting for permission to immigrate. Omar and Hassan spent most of their childhood in this camp. Omar's voice is humorous and hopeful despite the dire circumstances. He is the embodiment of resilience. But, so is Hassan, as Omar slowly comes to realize that he has underestimated his brother.

Readers will be immediately drawn the the plight of the brothers. I read it in one intense sitting.  His experiences fleeing from the violence in his village/ country, then spending years in a refugee camp are unimaginable. Yet Omar brings us there; as does Victoria Jamieson's art. The art vividly depicts the boys difficult life and devotion to each other. It was mostly black and white in the arc but those that were full-color are beautiful, with a predominantly purple palette. 

When Stars are Scattered releases on April 14 and is an absolute first-purchase.

Teen Tuesday and Arc Review: Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder

Image: Penguin Random House

Dancing at the Pity Party: a dead mom graphic memoir by Tyler Feder. 208 p. Dial Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Random House, April 14, 2020. 9780525553021. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Teen Tuesday features Dancing at the Pity Party: a dead mom memoir by Tyler Feder. Graphic artist Tyler Feder remembers her mother in this achingly beautiful memoir about love and loss. Feder and her mom were close. She was a sophomore in college when her mom was diagnosed with cancer. Using a subdued pastel palette, Feder chronicles the myriad of feelings she and her family experienced over the year that followed - shock, terror, guilt, hope - through the process of grief when her mother succumbed.

I grabbed this on my way to the airport in November and read it while I waited for my flight. I wept copiously. But I also laughed. So much about this lovely, important graphic novel resonates. It truly belongs in every possible library collection. I wouldn't necessarily hand it to someone newly grieving the loss of a loved one, but certainly to anyone who wants to help.

Look for Dancing at the Pity Party in April.

Graphic Novel Review: Gender Queer: a memoir by Maia Kobabe

Image: Lion Forge

Gender Queer: a memoir by Maia Kobabe. 240 p. Lion Forge, May, 2019. 9781549304002. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Maia never felt comfortable in her skin. Though born to an accepting and rather unconventional family, she could never verbalize her feelings of disconnection. Assigned female at birth, she never liked to dress in a gender conforming way. She liked the freedom of boy clothes, yet didn't necessarily want to be a boy. She had crushes on boys as well as girls but the thought of being intimate grossed her out. Was she asexual then? This raw, honest, humorous and occasionally explicit memoir stuns in the best possible way. For questioning teens, there is comfort in knowing they are not alone in their confusion. For allies, there is much to be learned in order to be a better ally. 

The panels are easy to follow and the art, muted and earthy, fits the narrative, which is spare and down-to-earth. This is an important addition to high school and public libraries. I am on the fence about adding it to my middle school collection. It is a tad explicit for the age group; but would be an excellent book for questioning or gender queer kids who need a safe place to explore and find themselves. I am leaning toward adding it. 

Middle Grade Monday: Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Image: Scholastic

Happy Monday TMS Readers! The Middle Grade Monday feature is very happy-making! You may recall that I received a Guts chapter sampler back in May and all us Raina Telgemeier fans reverently passed it around. Well, I received the full arc at my library conference in June and, Guts is just terrific. 

Just as Telgemeier did in her earlier memoirs, Smile and Sisters, she revisits her childhood, this time, to talk about her anxiety and her stomach aches, which are eventually diagnosed as mild Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). With her trademark bright palette and humor, she relates how her nervousness would cause a stomach ache, which would then increase her anxiety as she worried about needing to use the bathroom. Young Raina eventually worked with a therapist who helped her manage her anxiety. 

This is probably her most personal memoir yet. It sure took guts to share her story about her guts. I'm sure that many readers young and old will relate. Guts is due out September 17th!