Head-to-head
Smile vs Guts
Both are autobiographical graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier for ages 8-12, but Smile is about dental anxiety while Guts tackles anxiety and friendship.
Smile
by Raina Telgemeier
The graphic memoir that helped a generation of kids feel less alone about being different
Guts
by Raina Telgemeier
A graphic memoir that makes childhood anxiety visible, relatable, and manageable
Score comparison
| Score | Smile | Guts | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kid Score | 62 | 67 | Guts (+5) |
| Parent Score | 68 | 69 | Tied |
| Teacher Score | 68 | 66 | Tied |
✓ Smile — perfect for
- •Readers aged 9-13 navigating middle school
- •appearance anxiety
- •or friendship changes will find their own experiences reflected and validated. Also ideal for reluctant readers who connect with graphic novels and relatable
- •real-world stories.
✓ Guts — perfect for
- •kids who experience anxiety or stomach-related worry
- •readers who love Raina Telgemeier's other graphic memoirs
- •children who need to see therapy portrayed positively
- •reluctant readers who engage best with visual storytelling
Our take
There's no universal winner here — the right pick depends on who's reading. Guts scores higher with kids (67 vs 62) — better if your goal is "my kid actually wants to read it."
Still not sure? Take the 2-minute SPARK quiz — we'll pick the one that fits your specific kid's reading personality.
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