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Gut Reaction
Author Kirby Larson, and her daughter, debut author, Quinn Wyatt, pen this story that explores what living with a chronic illness is like.
Tess Medina is still dealing with the loss of her father when she starts at a new school. One way she is still able to feel close to him is by doing what she does -- baking. He taught her everything she knows. But when tasting her creations causes a deep stabbing pain in her abdomen, she tries to power through and be strong in the same way she powers through her emotional pain. She doesn’t mind too much--she’s okay with sharing her baked goods at school in the hopes of making new friends.
Lucky for Tess, her baking skills attract the right kind of attention, and she assembles a ragtag team to help her taste her new and classic creations in preparation for the Jubilee Flour Junior Baker West Coast competition. This is a chance to redeem herself and prove that she's a star baker. Above all, Tess is desperate to win first place and make her dad proud.
But leading up to the competition, Tess's pain gets worse and worse, and, soon, she finds that she's avoiding so many foods that she's barely eating. When the physical pain becomes too great, Tess will be forced to confront everything she has been trying so desperately to hide.
Tess Medina is still dealing with the loss of her father when she starts at a new school. One way she is still able to feel close to him is by doing what she does -- baking. He taught her everything she knows. But when tasting her creations causes a deep stabbing pain in her abdomen, she tries to power through and be strong in the same way she powers through her emotional pain. She doesn’t mind too much--she’s okay with sharing her baked goods at school in the hopes of making new friends.
Lucky for Tess, her baking skills attract the right kind of attention, and she assembles a ragtag team to help her taste her new and classic creations in preparation for the Jubilee Flour Junior Baker West Coast competition. This is a chance to redeem herself and prove that she's a star baker. Above all, Tess is desperate to win first place and make her dad proud.
But leading up to the competition, Tess's pain gets worse and worse, and, soon, she finds that she's avoiding so many foods that she's barely eating. When the physical pain becomes too great, Tess will be forced to confront everything she has been trying so desperately to hide.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 2024
About the author
Kirby Larson
50 books413 followersKirby Larson went from history-phobe to history fanatic while writing the 2007 Newbery Honor Book, HATTIE BIG SKY. Her passion for historical fiction is reflected in titles such as THE FENCES BETWEEN US, THE FRIENDSHIP DOLL, as well as the sequel to HATTIE BIG SKY, HATTIE EVER AFTER, and her two latest titles, DUKE--which was nominated for 5 state Young Reader Choice awards as well as being a finalist for the Washington State Book Award-- and DASH--which has garnered two starred reviews, a NAPPA Gold Award and a Capitol Choices nomination. She will have two new books out in 2016 -- watch for them!
In 2006, Kirby began a collaboration with her good friend Mary Nethery resulting in two award-winning nonfiction picture books: TWO BOBBIES: A TRUE STORY OF HURRICANE KATRINA, FRIENDSHIP AND SURVIVAL, and NUBS: THE TRUE STORY OF A MUTT, A MARINE AND A MIRACLE.
Kirby lives in Kenmore, Washington with her husband, Neil, and Winston the Wonder Dog. When she’s not reading or writing Kirby enjoys beach combing, bird watching, and traveling. She owns a tiara and is not afraid to use it.
In 2006, Kirby began a collaboration with her good friend Mary Nethery resulting in two award-winning nonfiction picture books: TWO BOBBIES: A TRUE STORY OF HURRICANE KATRINA, FRIENDSHIP AND SURVIVAL, and NUBS: THE TRUE STORY OF A MUTT, A MARINE AND A MIRACLE.
Kirby lives in Kenmore, Washington with her husband, Neil, and Winston the Wonder Dog. When she’s not reading or writing Kirby enjoys beach combing, bird watching, and traveling. She owns a tiara and is not afraid to use it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 5, 2024
This was a FANTASTIC middle grade book about getting diagnosed with Crohn's and learning to live with a debilitating chronic illness. Told with humor and heart, this book balances newfound grief over the sudden death of a parent with a shared love of baking, a reality baking competition and the comfort found in support from friends and family. Great on audio and highly recommended for fans of books like The year my life went down the toilet by Jake Maia Arlow. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I also loved that this was an #ownvoices novel with a great author's note included at the end.
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November 27, 2023This was delightful (but not as good as Hattie Big Sky)
April 7, 2024
What an outstanding book! This book touches on many things that middle schoolers deal with, and that are talked about (making friends, struggling in a class, family relationships) and paves the way for open discussions about the loss of a relative, and Crohn’s disease. The Knife is a main character here that made me cringe every time it showed up. Tess didn’t let the knife be the main character in her story though, which is another important message for our tweens.
Gut Reaction was written with grace, humor, and so much heart. Highly recommend!
Gut Reaction was written with grace, humor, and so much heart. Highly recommend!
January 17, 2024
Outstanding middle grade fiction based a bit in reality. One of the co-authors was diagnosed with Crohn's disease as a young person, similar to the way that main character Tess is diagnosed with it. A story about learning to live with an illness that should not be missed!
September 28, 2023
A fabulous read!! Pre order now!!!
February 15, 2024
Tess is starting the year at a new school for her. She, her mother and little sister, Gracie have moved after her mother becomes engaged to Scott. Scott’s alright, but Tess is still dealing with her father's sudden death from a heart attack three years earlier. Dad and daughter had a strong connection over baking and losing him is hard. In addition, her stomach has been bothering her, sometimes a lot, and she wonders if it’s just the stress of everything she’s dealing with. Tess is careful about what she eats and avoids things that trigger the issue. She keeps her worries to herself and doesn’t even tell mother about her problems. Being the new kid at school is hard but she eventually makes friends with Elly and Rajit after bringing samples of her baking to share. She also has a connection with Emmett, who also lost his father, and Brooklyn, who is trying very hard to get their language arts teacher to lose the boring classic books she requires her students to read.
One day Tess gets an invitation to a baking competition, and she really wants to go, but knows that her mother is struggling with money. Also, this reminder of her father might be difficult. That’s in addition to her worsening health condition. Her mother, one day notices that her daughter has lost weight, but it’s a medical emergency that finally gets to the root of her problem. Still in a weakened condition, Tess has to practice for the baking competition with the help of her new friends. Even so, she manages to come up with some creative and delicious ideas. The competition is rigorous and is compounded by Flora, the winner of a previous competition, who is a nasty participant. All is well, until the final round.
While this is a good and well written story, I feel the audience us quite limited to those really into the processes of baking.
One day Tess gets an invitation to a baking competition, and she really wants to go, but knows that her mother is struggling with money. Also, this reminder of her father might be difficult. That’s in addition to her worsening health condition. Her mother, one day notices that her daughter has lost weight, but it’s a medical emergency that finally gets to the root of her problem. Still in a weakened condition, Tess has to practice for the baking competition with the help of her new friends. Even so, she manages to come up with some creative and delicious ideas. The competition is rigorous and is compounded by Flora, the winner of a previous competition, who is a nasty participant. All is well, until the final round.
While this is a good and well written story, I feel the audience us quite limited to those really into the processes of baking.
April 16, 2024
I enjoyed Tess, the main character, and was able to empathize with her feelings about her father's death, starting a new school in eighth grade and her love of baking. Like Tess, at first I believed that the porcupine in her gut was stress or nerves, and was dismayed to discover she had Crohn's disease. I would have liked for Tess's friends to be a bit less than perfect and a bit less than always and completely supportive. Tess, also, seemed a bit too wise for her years. However, the effects of Crohn's on people's lives is a wonderful topic for a book and for raising awareness among readers of all ages.
April 18, 2024
4.5 Stars. Great story about a kid living with a disease but not defined by it—I also loved the baking competition aspect, I wish I could’ve eaten all the delicious treats!
November 11, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Tess and her younger sister Gracie have moved to a new place after her mother gets engaged to Scott. Scott is fine, but Tess is still dealing with her father's sudden death from a heart attack three years ago. He was a baker, and Tess has followed in his footsteps, although since he died when she was in the middle of a children's baking competition, it's sometimes hard. Her stomach has been bothering her, sometimes a lot, and she suspects that all of the stressors are piling up. She tries to watch what she eats and avoid things that trigger her, but doesn't tell her mother about her problems. Things get off to a rocky start at her new school, but she eventually makes friends with Elly, who is into older music by artists like Nina Simone and Jimi Hendrix, and her friend Rajit, by bringing baked goods to school. There's also Emmett, who also lost his father, and Brooklyn, who is trying very hard to get their language arts teacher to update the books that the students have to read. When Tess gets an invitation to another competition, she really wants to go, but knows that her mother is struggling with money, and also that this reminder of her father might be difficult. There's also her worsening health condition. Her mother eventually catches on and notices that Tess has lost weight, but it takes a medical emergency to really finally get answers. Still on the mend, Tess has to practice for the baking competition with the help of her new friends. This is tiring, but she manages to come up with some good ideas. The competition is tough, and it doesn't help that Flora, a winner of a previous competition, is a nasty participant. Still, things go well until the final round.
Strengths: I am all about weaponizing baked goods, even if I will never have enough patience to measure flour by ounces instead of cups! It was good to see that Tess managed to integrate into her new school, and eventually found some friends, and also to see that her stepfather to be was a good guy who was supportive. These are both important messages for young readers; there are too many books where these occurrences are portrayed in very dire ways. Tess' health problems unfold in a realistic way, with enough drama to appeal to young readers. Author Wyatt's own struggles add a nice level of depth to the experience. It's been almost ten years since the We Need Diverse Books movement; now that we have more variety in the ethnic and cultural connections, the new frontier seems to be health issues and LGBTQIA+ characters. It's nice to see a growing number of books with these concerns, and there's certainly room for more of them.
Weaknesses: I wish there had been more about Tess and Emmett's interest in each other, especially since Elly also had a crush on him, but we don't hear much about that after the competition begins. While I loved that Tess was involved in the competition, I could have used more information about Crohn's disease and fewer details about the baking competition.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who found Arlow's The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet or Eliopolis' Will on the Inside informative, but has more in common with books involving cooking competitions, like Harper's Lights, Cameras, Cook!, Delaney's Alice Fleck's Recipe for Disaster, LaMotte's Measuring Up, Schroeder's It's Raining Cupcakes, or Negron's The Last Super Chef.
Tess and her younger sister Gracie have moved to a new place after her mother gets engaged to Scott. Scott is fine, but Tess is still dealing with her father's sudden death from a heart attack three years ago. He was a baker, and Tess has followed in his footsteps, although since he died when she was in the middle of a children's baking competition, it's sometimes hard. Her stomach has been bothering her, sometimes a lot, and she suspects that all of the stressors are piling up. She tries to watch what she eats and avoid things that trigger her, but doesn't tell her mother about her problems. Things get off to a rocky start at her new school, but she eventually makes friends with Elly, who is into older music by artists like Nina Simone and Jimi Hendrix, and her friend Rajit, by bringing baked goods to school. There's also Emmett, who also lost his father, and Brooklyn, who is trying very hard to get their language arts teacher to update the books that the students have to read. When Tess gets an invitation to another competition, she really wants to go, but knows that her mother is struggling with money, and also that this reminder of her father might be difficult. There's also her worsening health condition. Her mother eventually catches on and notices that Tess has lost weight, but it takes a medical emergency to really finally get answers. Still on the mend, Tess has to practice for the baking competition with the help of her new friends. This is tiring, but she manages to come up with some good ideas. The competition is tough, and it doesn't help that Flora, a winner of a previous competition, is a nasty participant. Still, things go well until the final round.
Strengths: I am all about weaponizing baked goods, even if I will never have enough patience to measure flour by ounces instead of cups! It was good to see that Tess managed to integrate into her new school, and eventually found some friends, and also to see that her stepfather to be was a good guy who was supportive. These are both important messages for young readers; there are too many books where these occurrences are portrayed in very dire ways. Tess' health problems unfold in a realistic way, with enough drama to appeal to young readers. Author Wyatt's own struggles add a nice level of depth to the experience. It's been almost ten years since the We Need Diverse Books movement; now that we have more variety in the ethnic and cultural connections, the new frontier seems to be health issues and LGBTQIA+ characters. It's nice to see a growing number of books with these concerns, and there's certainly room for more of them.
Weaknesses: I wish there had been more about Tess and Emmett's interest in each other, especially since Elly also had a crush on him, but we don't hear much about that after the competition begins. While I loved that Tess was involved in the competition, I could have used more information about Crohn's disease and fewer details about the baking competition.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who found Arlow's The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet or Eliopolis' Will on the Inside informative, but has more in common with books involving cooking competitions, like Harper's Lights, Cameras, Cook!, Delaney's Alice Fleck's Recipe for Disaster, LaMotte's Measuring Up, Schroeder's It's Raining Cupcakes, or Negron's The Last Super Chef.
March 19, 2024
The difficult task in writing an "issue" story is not to let the issue become the story. And oh my frog, do Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt meet that challenge. Eighth-grader Tess Medina has a painful, embarrassing, life-interrupting health problem, but she doesn't let it direct her life, and the authors don't let it direct their story.
The tale has a familiar beginning. Tess and her family move to a new city, which of course plops her down in a new school with kids she doesn't know, facing all the academic and social difficulties of middle school with none of the support of the friends she left behind. And on top of that, she's had an even bigger loss, a huge one , and one that can't be remedied. But the rest of the story isn't so familiar. Tess is a fighter, and she has talent, and goals. With the help of her dad, she's become an expert baker. She's entered and done well in baking contests in the past, and she has her heart set on another, for which she must enter, be accepted, and qualify. She's not outgoing, but after being friendless for too long, she steps out of her comfort zone and makes a couple of friends who soon become as enthusiastic about baking as she is, and before long they're not only enjoying the fruits of her labors but loyally learning something about the baking process and helping her to boot.
If you enjoy competition, either as a competitor or a spectator, and if you're also a reader or movie watcher, you've probably read (or seen) stories like The Boys in the Boat, Seabiscuit, Chariots of Fire, and Unbroken. Maybe you've watched The Great British Baking Show and appreciated how competition doesn't always have to be cutthroat. The last fifty or so pages of Gut Reaction, while maybe not quite as intense as some of the action scenes portrayed in the above stories, are almost sure to give you a version of that lump-in-the-throat, heart-pounding experience you've had when reading about a boatful of down-and-out young rowers rising from obscurity to become Olympic champions, or a ridiculed and hobbled horse surprising the racing world, or an Olympian who became an Army Air Corp airman and survived a plane crash, weeks at sea, sharks, and a horrendous POW camp to finally return home and restart his life. The last fifty or so pages of Gut Reaction put me on the edge of my seat, rooting for Tess to beat the odds and her disease and make herself proud, make herself realize that she has a disease, but that the disease won't define her.
Yet in this story, her illness--inflammatory bowel disease--isn't sugar coated. Some scenes are candid and graphic and detailed. But also truthful. And necessary. I could feel in my gut, not the porcupine quills Tess describes, but empathy for her pain and aloneness and embarrassment and fear of what lies ahead. But I also felt great admiration for her spirit, and for the authors' ability to tell her story without dipping into sappiness, to create a character that we care about and wonder about and think about long after we close the book. Oh, yeah--and besides all the serious stuff going on, there's also humor and goofiness and middle school crushes and the love of a family and the other "routine" stuff that makes it possible for someone with determination to rise above conflicts, big and small, and for Tess and her friends to develop into the kinds of well-rounded characters that middle-grade readers, and their elders, would love to get to know.
The tale has a familiar beginning. Tess and her family move to a new city, which of course plops her down in a new school with kids she doesn't know, facing all the academic and social difficulties of middle school with none of the support of the friends she left behind. And on top of that, she's had an even bigger loss, a huge one , and one that can't be remedied. But the rest of the story isn't so familiar. Tess is a fighter, and she has talent, and goals. With the help of her dad, she's become an expert baker. She's entered and done well in baking contests in the past, and she has her heart set on another, for which she must enter, be accepted, and qualify. She's not outgoing, but after being friendless for too long, she steps out of her comfort zone and makes a couple of friends who soon become as enthusiastic about baking as she is, and before long they're not only enjoying the fruits of her labors but loyally learning something about the baking process and helping her to boot.
If you enjoy competition, either as a competitor or a spectator, and if you're also a reader or movie watcher, you've probably read (or seen) stories like The Boys in the Boat, Seabiscuit, Chariots of Fire, and Unbroken. Maybe you've watched The Great British Baking Show and appreciated how competition doesn't always have to be cutthroat. The last fifty or so pages of Gut Reaction, while maybe not quite as intense as some of the action scenes portrayed in the above stories, are almost sure to give you a version of that lump-in-the-throat, heart-pounding experience you've had when reading about a boatful of down-and-out young rowers rising from obscurity to become Olympic champions, or a ridiculed and hobbled horse surprising the racing world, or an Olympian who became an Army Air Corp airman and survived a plane crash, weeks at sea, sharks, and a horrendous POW camp to finally return home and restart his life. The last fifty or so pages of Gut Reaction put me on the edge of my seat, rooting for Tess to beat the odds and her disease and make herself proud, make herself realize that she has a disease, but that the disease won't define her.
Yet in this story, her illness--inflammatory bowel disease--isn't sugar coated. Some scenes are candid and graphic and detailed. But also truthful. And necessary. I could feel in my gut, not the porcupine quills Tess describes, but empathy for her pain and aloneness and embarrassment and fear of what lies ahead. But I also felt great admiration for her spirit, and for the authors' ability to tell her story without dipping into sappiness, to create a character that we care about and wonder about and think about long after we close the book. Oh, yeah--and besides all the serious stuff going on, there's also humor and goofiness and middle school crushes and the love of a family and the other "routine" stuff that makes it possible for someone with determination to rise above conflicts, big and small, and for Tess and her friends to develop into the kinds of well-rounded characters that middle-grade readers, and their elders, would love to get to know.
February 15, 2024
Rating: 4.5
Genre: Realism
Thank you Scholastic from providing an ARC through Youth Services Book Review.
Synopsis:
Tess Medina is dealing with the grief of losing her father, so lost that she still texts him. Her mother has remarried and moved them to a new city, and she and her sister must get back into a “normal” life. Determined to keep up her father’s baking legacy, Tess bakes to escape the rough transition and rocky start at her new school. But her stomach has been bothering her, badly, and tasting her creations triggers serious pain to the point where she can’t eat certain foods. Thinking it’s the stress of everything, Tess shrugs it off and does not tell her mother. Food might be the one thing that can make her new life better, and she is right: When news of her amazing food spreads across the school, Tess receives an invitation for the Jubilee Flour Junior Baker West, she accepts. Assembling a crew of new friends as taste-testers, Tess prepares to win this competition and make her father proud. But her stomach pain worsens, to the point where she barely eats and loses significant weight. But Tess can’t stop - It’s too important to her and to the memory of her father. So when the pain becomes so great that it upheaves her life, Tess must grapple with her health condition head on and determine what (and who) is really important in her life.
What did you like about the book?
Gut Reaction is a funny, delicious, and heartfelt story of a girl struggling with loss, physical disability, and change. Based on Quinn Wyatt’s personal experience, Tess’s journey of chronic illness depicts a realistic yet not dire portrayal of everyday life - from the stress of doing little things, fitting in, and not wanting to be a burden to others, while also adding daily joys, meaningful connections, and laughter along the way. The metaphor of the “knife” is great and very imaginable, especially for kids to emphasize with Tess. It will be easy for readers to relate to her pain and the anxiety of trying to live a “normal” life with it. Also, the depictions of food are mouth-watering and dazzling, bringing a sense of comfort to both Tess and to readers, and the act of baking is used well to tie all themes together. Overall, Gut Reaction is a wonderful tale of acceptance, compassion, and finding peace with yourself, so definitely pick it up and don’t read on an empty stomach!
Anything you didn’t like about it? No!
To whom would you recommend this book?
Kids who want to read heartfelt stories about baking like Lights, Cameras, Cook! by Charise Mercle Harper, Delaney's Alice Fleck's Recipe for Disaster by Rachelle Delaney, and Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, or and living with physical disabilities/chronic illnesses. The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet by Jake Maia Arlow, Aniana Del Mar Jumps In by Jasmine Mendez, The Great Upending by Beth Kephart, and Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar.
Date of review: February 6, 2024
Genre: Realism
Thank you Scholastic from providing an ARC through Youth Services Book Review.
Synopsis:
Tess Medina is dealing with the grief of losing her father, so lost that she still texts him. Her mother has remarried and moved them to a new city, and she and her sister must get back into a “normal” life. Determined to keep up her father’s baking legacy, Tess bakes to escape the rough transition and rocky start at her new school. But her stomach has been bothering her, badly, and tasting her creations triggers serious pain to the point where she can’t eat certain foods. Thinking it’s the stress of everything, Tess shrugs it off and does not tell her mother. Food might be the one thing that can make her new life better, and she is right: When news of her amazing food spreads across the school, Tess receives an invitation for the Jubilee Flour Junior Baker West, she accepts. Assembling a crew of new friends as taste-testers, Tess prepares to win this competition and make her father proud. But her stomach pain worsens, to the point where she barely eats and loses significant weight. But Tess can’t stop - It’s too important to her and to the memory of her father. So when the pain becomes so great that it upheaves her life, Tess must grapple with her health condition head on and determine what (and who) is really important in her life.
What did you like about the book?
Gut Reaction is a funny, delicious, and heartfelt story of a girl struggling with loss, physical disability, and change. Based on Quinn Wyatt’s personal experience, Tess’s journey of chronic illness depicts a realistic yet not dire portrayal of everyday life - from the stress of doing little things, fitting in, and not wanting to be a burden to others, while also adding daily joys, meaningful connections, and laughter along the way. The metaphor of the “knife” is great and very imaginable, especially for kids to emphasize with Tess. It will be easy for readers to relate to her pain and the anxiety of trying to live a “normal” life with it. Also, the depictions of food are mouth-watering and dazzling, bringing a sense of comfort to both Tess and to readers, and the act of baking is used well to tie all themes together. Overall, Gut Reaction is a wonderful tale of acceptance, compassion, and finding peace with yourself, so definitely pick it up and don’t read on an empty stomach!
Anything you didn’t like about it? No!
To whom would you recommend this book?
Kids who want to read heartfelt stories about baking like Lights, Cameras, Cook! by Charise Mercle Harper, Delaney's Alice Fleck's Recipe for Disaster by Rachelle Delaney, and Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, or and living with physical disabilities/chronic illnesses. The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet by Jake Maia Arlow, Aniana Del Mar Jumps In by Jasmine Mendez, The Great Upending by Beth Kephart, and Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar.
Date of review: February 6, 2024
April 8, 2024
Review of "Gut Reaction" by Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt
"Gut Reaction," written by Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt together, is a story with vivid details and interesting character arcs that explore the complicated dance between gut and logic. The themes of this book are trust, gut, and the results of choices. It's a tapestry full of emotional and mental tensions. The main type of fiction in the book is psychological/realistic fiction, which gives a deep look at how the mind and gut interact. This makes it a great resource for learning about how people behave and make decisions.
Larson and Wyatt are both excellent writers. They use a subtle and sympathetic tone that makes readers really feel what their characters are feeling. The writers' skill at character development is clear in how they give their main characters a complicated mix of flaws and foresight. This makes the story both relatable and an interesting look into human psychology. There are many subtle literary techniques used in the writing that add to the depth of the story and make readers think about their own biases and how reliable their opinions are.
This is a WOW book that really stood out to me because it bravely dealt with the ideas of gut vs. reason, which isn't something that's often done so well in children's literature. "Gut Reaction" asks readers of all ages to think about how they make decisions and how their feelings often play a role that they are not aware of. Emotional intelligence and cognitive biases are great things to talk about in the classroom because they help kids and adults learn to trust their gut feelings while also questioning them.
Also, Larson and Wyatt's dedication to reducing racism is admirable. The story is carefully written so that it doesn't reinforce assumptions. Instead, it promotes a story that is diverse and well-represented. This conformity with anti-bias standards makes sure that the book not only entertains but also teaches, encouraging a more open and caring way of telling stories.
To sum up, "Gut Reaction" by Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt is more than just a story about the conflict between the heart and the mind; it is a powerful work of writing that both questions and educates. It is a must-read because it carefully combines psychological lessons with an interesting story. It's also a great starting point for conversations about how to understand and control our instinctual reactions. As an example of how children's writing can be both fun and very helpful, this book really stands out.
"Gut Reaction," written by Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt together, is a story with vivid details and interesting character arcs that explore the complicated dance between gut and logic. The themes of this book are trust, gut, and the results of choices. It's a tapestry full of emotional and mental tensions. The main type of fiction in the book is psychological/realistic fiction, which gives a deep look at how the mind and gut interact. This makes it a great resource for learning about how people behave and make decisions.
Larson and Wyatt are both excellent writers. They use a subtle and sympathetic tone that makes readers really feel what their characters are feeling. The writers' skill at character development is clear in how they give their main characters a complicated mix of flaws and foresight. This makes the story both relatable and an interesting look into human psychology. There are many subtle literary techniques used in the writing that add to the depth of the story and make readers think about their own biases and how reliable their opinions are.
This is a WOW book that really stood out to me because it bravely dealt with the ideas of gut vs. reason, which isn't something that's often done so well in children's literature. "Gut Reaction" asks readers of all ages to think about how they make decisions and how their feelings often play a role that they are not aware of. Emotional intelligence and cognitive biases are great things to talk about in the classroom because they help kids and adults learn to trust their gut feelings while also questioning them.
Also, Larson and Wyatt's dedication to reducing racism is admirable. The story is carefully written so that it doesn't reinforce assumptions. Instead, it promotes a story that is diverse and well-represented. This conformity with anti-bias standards makes sure that the book not only entertains but also teaches, encouraging a more open and caring way of telling stories.
To sum up, "Gut Reaction" by Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt is more than just a story about the conflict between the heart and the mind; it is a powerful work of writing that both questions and educates. It is a must-read because it carefully combines psychological lessons with an interesting story. It's also a great starting point for conversations about how to understand and control our instinctual reactions. As an example of how children's writing can be both fun and very helpful, this book really stands out.
October 17, 2023
This is an important mirror & windows book about chronic illness that has a wry tween narrator, great friend group banter, and an epic bake-off. I think middle grade readers are going to love it!
Tess is going through it headed into 8th grade. She’s lost her father and is so deep in her grief that she still texts him. She’s starting at a new school where everyone already knows each other. And she’s having serious stomach aches. But what’s always been there for her his baking—it was her connection to her father and now she’s thinking of entering a serious baking competition.
The authors do an incredible job of helping the reader experience Tess’s pain, first with a perfect porcupine metaphor and then as “the knife” when it gets worse. They also capture the planning and panic that a chronically ill kid goes through on everything from mundane chores like walking the dog to being in the competition of your life and facing the decision between your goals and your health. I loved that we got to stay so close to Tess during these trials with both the embarrassment and worry she feels and the sense of humor she brings to everything. Oh my frog! It will make the story really accessible to middle grade readers and I bet prompt some important conversations with their parents and teachers.
The food descriptions are fantastic (soda shoppe cupcakes and ginger layer cakes please!) and in the end I felt lots of hope for Tess—that she was facing a disease that would prove a lifelong challenge but that she would decide to put her health first so that she was in a position to do everything she loved.
Highly recommend!!
Thank you so much to Scholastic for the chance to read early!
Tess is going through it headed into 8th grade. She’s lost her father and is so deep in her grief that she still texts him. She’s starting at a new school where everyone already knows each other. And she’s having serious stomach aches. But what’s always been there for her his baking—it was her connection to her father and now she’s thinking of entering a serious baking competition.
The authors do an incredible job of helping the reader experience Tess’s pain, first with a perfect porcupine metaphor and then as “the knife” when it gets worse. They also capture the planning and panic that a chronically ill kid goes through on everything from mundane chores like walking the dog to being in the competition of your life and facing the decision between your goals and your health. I loved that we got to stay so close to Tess during these trials with both the embarrassment and worry she feels and the sense of humor she brings to everything. Oh my frog! It will make the story really accessible to middle grade readers and I bet prompt some important conversations with their parents and teachers.
The food descriptions are fantastic (soda shoppe cupcakes and ginger layer cakes please!) and in the end I felt lots of hope for Tess—that she was facing a disease that would prove a lifelong challenge but that she would decide to put her health first so that she was in a position to do everything she loved.
Highly recommend!!
Thank you so much to Scholastic for the chance to read early!
February 23, 2024
Wonderful product of a mother-daughter partnership between Kirby Larson (Duke, Dash, Audacity Jones, Hattie Big Sky & more) and her daughter Quinn Wyatt based on the real life experiences of Quinn and the search for the diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease to explain her teenage stomach torment. Main character Tess is beginning the 8th grade at a new school almost mid year, still grieving over the loss of her father and struggling to cope with the porcupine that pokes at her belly and rapidly moves to Knife that stabs at her gut. That may sound like a lot for one book to tackle, but the drama that is middle school provides the perfect framework for it all. Readers will cringe as Tess enters the school’s cafeteria that first day, nod at her efforts to find a friend, and roll their eyes at the Language Arts teacher who only teaches from ancient classics and won’t even consider the literary merit of anything written in the last century much less a book written in the last 20 years. Some may even feel a connection to Tess’ need to note the location of each bathroom in every frequented building and the mental list of off limits foods that are sure to stir up the porcupine or the Knife. For those, “Gut Reaction” may bring hope for treatment options, the ability to speak about potentially embarrassing symptoms and the realization that dreams are still possible despite the setbacks of a chronic illness. Hopefully those who do not battle a persistent condition will gain a little knowledge and empathy for those who do. Highly recommended for libraries serving grades 5-8 and with no profanity, violence or sexual content, could be enjoyed by those in younger grades, especially if they have a love of baking or are living with chronic illness.
Thanks for the arc, Scholastic!
Thanks for the arc, Scholastic!
March 25, 2024
Author Kirby Larson and her daughter have joined forces to create an important story about what it is like for a young person living with a chronic illness. Told in unflinching detail based on personal experience, GUT REACTION is sure to help many middle grade and older readers.
Tess is in eighth grade. That is bad enough, but she is also starting at a new middle school, dealing with memories of her father who died of a heart attack, and trying to secretly handle a stomach condition that has her keeping track of every nearby restroom.
One thing that helps Tess cope is baking. Her father taught her everything. Whipping up a batch of what he called Joyful cookies or experimenting with new recipes, helps keep her mind occupied. Sharing what she bakes is also going to help her make some new friends.
Tess keeps an ongoing list of what she can and can't eat. Some things trigger the stabbing pain she refers to as the Knife. When the Knife takes up residence in her belly, she knows she will soon be rushing off the toilet. There's always the fear that a restroom won't be close or that when she gets there, someone will hear her or worse smell her.
Excitement is in order when Tess scores a spot in a prestigious kids baking contest. She has reached the finals before, but this time she hopes will be her chance to win. Weeks before the contest, she learns that she has a chronic condition called Crohn's. Will the treatment help her get through the baking contest or will the Knife end her dream of winning for her father?
Larson and Wyatt have added personal comments and help sites for anyone dealing with Crohn's or other IBS issues. They also emphasize that being one's true self no matter the challenges is important. I highly recommend GUT REACTION!
Tess is in eighth grade. That is bad enough, but she is also starting at a new middle school, dealing with memories of her father who died of a heart attack, and trying to secretly handle a stomach condition that has her keeping track of every nearby restroom.
One thing that helps Tess cope is baking. Her father taught her everything. Whipping up a batch of what he called Joyful cookies or experimenting with new recipes, helps keep her mind occupied. Sharing what she bakes is also going to help her make some new friends.
Tess keeps an ongoing list of what she can and can't eat. Some things trigger the stabbing pain she refers to as the Knife. When the Knife takes up residence in her belly, she knows she will soon be rushing off the toilet. There's always the fear that a restroom won't be close or that when she gets there, someone will hear her or worse smell her.
Excitement is in order when Tess scores a spot in a prestigious kids baking contest. She has reached the finals before, but this time she hopes will be her chance to win. Weeks before the contest, she learns that she has a chronic condition called Crohn's. Will the treatment help her get through the baking contest or will the Knife end her dream of winning for her father?
Larson and Wyatt have added personal comments and help sites for anyone dealing with Crohn's or other IBS issues. They also emphasize that being one's true self no matter the challenges is important. I highly recommend GUT REACTION!
March 1, 2024
4.5- Tess Medina, 14, has a lot going on in her life. Before her Dad died he owned a bakery and taught Tess everything he could about baking and life. He cheered her on in the Junior Baker West Coast Competition and cheered her up when she didn’t win. After he died, she hung up her apron and packed away her baking appliances not wanting to bake without him. Now 3 years later she’s starting 8th grade in a new school and wonders if baking might help her make friends. When she receives a letter from the Junior Baker Competition announcing they’d like her to audition for their 10th anniversary show, she thinks maybe it’s time to pull out her apron. She once again discovers the joy in baking and finds a great group of friends, but she’s also now plagued with gut wrenching stomach pains and an embarrassingly strong urge to use the bathroom whenever she eats. She just wants to get through 8th grade, win the competition, and figure out what’s going on with her stomach.
This middle grade book is fantastic for anyone dealing with a chronic illness. The authors, Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt, are a mother/daughter duo who wrote this to chronicle their journey when Quinn was 14 and suffering from the same thing as Tess. They captured the emotions of both the child suffering and the parent worrying perfectly which makes it a perfect book for middle grade kids and parents to read together. Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for an advanced copy of this. Gut Reaction hits the shelves on March 5th.
This middle grade book is fantastic for anyone dealing with a chronic illness. The authors, Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt, are a mother/daughter duo who wrote this to chronicle their journey when Quinn was 14 and suffering from the same thing as Tess. They captured the emotions of both the child suffering and the parent worrying perfectly which makes it a perfect book for middle grade kids and parents to read together. Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for an advanced copy of this. Gut Reaction hits the shelves on March 5th.
March 6, 2024
4.5 Stars rounded to 5
Gut Reaction is personal for authors Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt. It’s inspired by Wyatt’s own experiences with Crohn’s disease. The duo hopes that “by writing a hopeful, honest, and sometimes humorous story about living with Crohn’s disease” that they can add to the conversation normalizing physical and mental health issues.
This upfront approach to something so personal adds some weight to an authentic book that is heartfelt and humorous.
At the center of Gut Reaction is Tess. Tess just wants to be normal. She wants to make friends. She wants to enjoy the food she bakes. But her digestive system keeps getting in the way.
As a family member of someone who has gut issues, I could immediately relate to Tess’s pain, mad dash to the bathroom and avoidance of certain foods. It can end up ruling a person’s life, and my heart immediately went out to Tess.
Tess’s passion for baking is a compelling juxtaposition to her Crohn’s. It raises the stakes and helps put things into perspective for readers who are new to the topic.
Most importantly, though, Gut Reaction is a story of friendship and family and the desire to be there for someone you care about. It’s a great read that should appeal to a fairly large cross-section of readers.
Gut Reaction is personal for authors Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt. It’s inspired by Wyatt’s own experiences with Crohn’s disease. The duo hopes that “by writing a hopeful, honest, and sometimes humorous story about living with Crohn’s disease” that they can add to the conversation normalizing physical and mental health issues.
This upfront approach to something so personal adds some weight to an authentic book that is heartfelt and humorous.
At the center of Gut Reaction is Tess. Tess just wants to be normal. She wants to make friends. She wants to enjoy the food she bakes. But her digestive system keeps getting in the way.
As a family member of someone who has gut issues, I could immediately relate to Tess’s pain, mad dash to the bathroom and avoidance of certain foods. It can end up ruling a person’s life, and my heart immediately went out to Tess.
Tess’s passion for baking is a compelling juxtaposition to her Crohn’s. It raises the stakes and helps put things into perspective for readers who are new to the topic.
Most importantly, though, Gut Reaction is a story of friendship and family and the desire to be there for someone you care about. It’s a great read that should appeal to a fairly large cross-section of readers.
February 14, 2024
Oh my frog! I loved this book. The main character, Tess, a junior baking competitor with a chronic illness, is introduced in clever, bouncy dialogue with the reader. The authors skillfully twist the trite things pre-teens say making it new, fresh and funny. Cookie crumbs of the grief and loss in her back story support the unfolding story without being burdensome. As a teacher-librarian and mom of a child with their own “gut reaction,” I can’t wait to share this gem with other librarians who can now put the right book in the hands of the right student: a middle schooler, the new kid, a baker, a kid with a hard to discuss medical diagnosis, one who has lost a parent or is living with a step parent, etc. This is a sweet story with a strong ending. I loved the relatable, believable characters and situations and how well the authors described emotions and physical pain in pictures. They successfully avoided a cliched minor character in the cafeteria scenes that worried me at first by placing that same character in a pivotal later scene. Thanks for a job well-done, Kirby and Quinn!
April 1, 2024
Very different book about a middle schooler whose father died 3 years ago and has now moved to new town so different school and the adjustments ongoing. She's really serious about baking, which she grew up doing with her dad, and that becomes a way to make new friends. And meanwhile she's dealing with the Knife, pains and urgent bathroom needs and not telling anyone...until she faints at school and wakes up in the hospital. The Knife turns out to be Crohn's disease, one of several IBDs, inflammatory bowel diseases.
The only picky thing I would say about this book is that once she starts making friends, they are unbelievably supportive and wonderful as we all learn about her disease. It makes for a really nice book but I hope readers who share some chronic disease like Crohn's aren't expecting that same experience and not getting it.
The only picky thing I would say about this book is that once she starts making friends, they are unbelievably supportive and wonderful as we all learn about her disease. It makes for a really nice book but I hope readers who share some chronic disease like Crohn's aren't expecting that same experience and not getting it.
March 10, 2024
A good one!!!
The biggest plus of this well-written tale is how seamlessly the main point is woven in. While empathizing with Tess’s woes, woes young readers can easily imagine—losing a beloved father, having to move to an unkown community while still in middle grade, trying to hold onto a favorite passion—something new hits that few can imagine happening to a friend, let alone themselves. Something embarrassing. Something you don’t want to discuss with a soul. Not even your mom. All it takes for such a successful tale is the collaboration of a Newbury award-winning mom and a talented daughter (who remembers exactly how it felt.) Bravo for a book worth reading on every level.
The biggest plus of this well-written tale is how seamlessly the main point is woven in. While empathizing with Tess’s woes, woes young readers can easily imagine—losing a beloved father, having to move to an unkown community while still in middle grade, trying to hold onto a favorite passion—something new hits that few can imagine happening to a friend, let alone themselves. Something embarrassing. Something you don’t want to discuss with a soul. Not even your mom. All it takes for such a successful tale is the collaboration of a Newbury award-winning mom and a talented daughter (who remembers exactly how it felt.) Bravo for a book worth reading on every level.
March 30, 2024
"Gut Reaction" was a 4.5 star read and great insight into being a middle schooler living with a disease that interferes with daily living. As a celiac, I could empathize somewhat, but I am so thankful that the co-author, Quinn Wyatt (Kirby Larson's daughter), was willing to share some of her most difficult experiences. I will be sure to recommend this to my students who love baking and televised competition shows as the baking competition is a much bigger focus in this story than her diagnosis, an element I appreciated. The backstory involving her dad was yet another layer to this story, with her emotional pain echoing her physical pain. This will be a book that a wide range of my students will enjoy.
March 31, 2024
5 stars
This book was such an eye-opener for the struggles Crohn's patients face everyday. It's wonderful that the authors have shared their experiences in order to normalize this disease and provide representation in middle grade lit. Tess has moved to a new house and gained a new stepfather. She starts a dog walking business to earn money to travel to a kids baking championship that she has been invited to audition for again. But as the days pass and Tess begins to feel more and more anxious and uncomfortable with recurring stomach issues and an ever-growing list of foods to avoid, Tess begins to think something is REALLY wrong with her. After passing out in a school bathroom in front of a girl she most definitely is NOT friendly with, Tess finally discovers she has a chronic illness that she will have for the rest of her life. The authors have nailed the perspective of a middle school girl just discovering her gut will now control all aspects of her life.
This book was such an eye-opener for the struggles Crohn's patients face everyday. It's wonderful that the authors have shared their experiences in order to normalize this disease and provide representation in middle grade lit. Tess has moved to a new house and gained a new stepfather. She starts a dog walking business to earn money to travel to a kids baking championship that she has been invited to audition for again. But as the days pass and Tess begins to feel more and more anxious and uncomfortable with recurring stomach issues and an ever-growing list of foods to avoid, Tess begins to think something is REALLY wrong with her. After passing out in a school bathroom in front of a girl she most definitely is NOT friendly with, Tess finally discovers she has a chronic illness that she will have for the rest of her life. The authors have nailed the perspective of a middle school girl just discovering her gut will now control all aspects of her life.
March 30, 2024
This is an inspirational chapter book for all kids with chronic illnesses as well as a deceased parent. Tess can bake but she has to deal with the guilt from the death of her father who died of a heart attack while he was getting an ingredient for Tess's cooking project. This will remind you of Master Chef Jr. She moves to a new school too. As if she doesn't have enough challenges, she feels knives in her stomach all the time. The author's daughter co-authored this book and also grew up with a chronic digestive illness. There is also a message of society ignoring the health problems of females of all ages.
April 8, 2024
Solid middle grade novel about a kid living with a chronic illness. 8th grader Tess Medina is still coming to grips with the death of her father three years prior when her family moves to a new town and a new school. Tess finds comfort in baking, something she used to do with her father. But lately, that's not even going right for her. She is plagued by sharp pain in her stomach that causes discomfort and frequent bathroom trips. Tess tries to pretend everything is still okay, even when it is clear that things are very wrong.
This is an authentic and compassionate look at living with a chronic illness. Tess is a well-rounded character and her story will appeal to lots of readers.
This is an authentic and compassionate look at living with a chronic illness. Tess is a well-rounded character and her story will appeal to lots of readers.
December 10, 2023
A great, kid-level exploration of what it means to have a chronic illness. I was instantly drawn in by Tess' voice, and kept turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I loved the focus on baking, and the competition and Tess' family issues together kept the plot tightly focused. I read Gut Reaction in a weekend.
There aren't many books that explore Crohn's, particularly in MG. This book will be a great addition to the classroom (library) and for kids affected by Crohn's.
I hope we get to see more books by this mother-daughter author team in the future!
There aren't many books that explore Crohn's, particularly in MG. This book will be a great addition to the classroom (library) and for kids affected by Crohn's.
I hope we get to see more books by this mother-daughter author team in the future!
March 27, 2024
While Tess is dealing with the loss of her father, she is also fighting a terrible illness that she eventually learns is Crohn’s disease. She tries to move forward and learn to live with this new truth while still living her life as a middle school student. Tess and her father shared a love of baking and she is determined to honor him by competing in a prestigious competition, but there are questions as to whether she can do it so soon after her diagnosis and so early in the treatment that has been prescribed.
DRC received from Net Galley.
DRC received from Net Galley.
March 29, 2024
Tess got her knack for baking from her dad who died three years ago, and she is still suffering from grief. Now she is invited to a TV baking competition, but a new kind of pain is in her stomach, which turns out to be something serious that she can no longer hide. Digestive issues can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, especially for kids, which this book hits on. The baking part is a welcome point of levity, and Tess's new friends are great. A good book that will hopefully help people talk openly about chronic conditions.
April 5, 2024
So many of our students face struggles that are unique to them, and having books available which have representation showing kids with various illnesses or diseases that *they* can relate to is so important. This will give kids with Crohn’s a mirror and help others see some of what they face. Absolutely excellent!
November 16, 2023
This book was really good! I really appreciated the chance to learn about Crohn's disease and what that is like. The story was super interesting, I loved the idea. It was really well written! This book is really good both as an educational tool and just a fun book to read!
January 21, 2024
This was a well written book that will give young readers a glimpse of a debilitating disease that affects so many people. Tess is a likable character who will inspire readers with her fortitude and determination.
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