Description

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Critically acclaimed, bestselling author and Newbery Honor-winner, Kirby Larson, and her daughter, debut author, Quinn Wyatt, pen this gorgeously moving and often funny story that explores what living with a chronic illness is like. Inspired by Quinn's own personal journey, Gut Reaction is full of heart and humor and highlights the importance of asking for help when it comes to mental and physical health alike.

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 best: 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.

From Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson and her daughter, debut author Quinn Wyatt, comes a poignant, sometimes silly, and always moving story of coming to grips with grief and finding the sweet filling inside every treat.

Praise for Gut Reaction by Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt:

"Gut Reaction is a poignant, triumphant tale about living with chronic illness, overcoming loss, and reaffirming joy and self-love. Tess is funny, relatable, brave, and an awesome baker!" --Jewell Parker Rhodes, New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Boys.

"A powerful story about living with a disease and not letting it define who you are."--Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Two Degrees.

"Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt have cooked up a rich, warm story about Crohn's Disease, courage, and cookies. The voice is heartfelt and authentic, leavened with humor and, oh my frog, delicious desserts. Gut Reaction is a wonderful book about important things, and I recommend it highly."--Karen Cushman, author of the Newbery Award-winning The Midwife's Apprentice.

"A multi-layered, straight-from-the-heart story written with a light, deft touch,Gut Reaction will inspire readers to pursue their creative passions. I loved this touching, sweet, and engaging book!"--Barbara Dee, award-winning author of Unstuck.

"Sweet and delicious! You will gobble up this book in one bite!"--Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times bestselling author of The Fourteenth Goldfish.

"Gut Reaction is a much-needed and important book for everyone: those suffering with Crohn's disease, their family and friends who want to help them, and for all the rest who need to understand. Written with the voice of authenticity by a mother/daughter team who know firsthand the effects of this painful and often embarrassing disease. Toss in a handful of lovable and diverse characters and an edge-of-your-seat cooking competition and Gut Reaction is a recipe for success."--Barbara O'Connor, author of How To Steal A Dog and WISH.

"I would have finished Gut Reaction in one swoop--but I didn't want it to end. I especially loved the baking connection, but the story's honesty, the humor and the friendships added so many layers. If the topic seems serious--and it is, the way Tess struggles to accept her illness will resonate with readers. Tess Medina is an inspiration. Her story will be one you'll remember long after that last page is turned."--Augusta Scattergood, author of Glory Be and The Way To Stay In Destiny.

"Great British Baking Show meets Guts by Raina Telgemeier. Entertaining and informative. Really put me inside the mind of a level-headed fourteen-year-old forced to deal with one awkward and humiliating situation after another."--Gennifer Choldenko, Newbery Honor author of Al Capone Does My Shirts, and coauthor of Dogtown with Katherine Applegate.

About the Author

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A snippet of a family story transformed Kirby Larson from history-phobe to history fanatic; her debut historical novel, Hattie Big Sky, earned a Newbery Honor. She’s pursued her passion for historical fiction with titles such as Hattie Ever After, Duke, Dash, Liberty, and Code Word Courage and combined her love for both history and mystery in Audacity Jones to the Rescue, and Audacity Jones Steals the Show. Ironically, the next two books for this history lover are contemporary fiction, including the second title in the Shermy and Shake series, Shermy and Shake: The Not-So-Nice Neighbor, and Gut Reaction, which is co-written with her daughter Quinn Wyatt. Kirby lives in Kenmore Washington with her husband Neil and very naughty dog Raleigh.

Quinn Wyatt lives in Kenmore, Washington, with her two wonderful daughters, fabulous husband, and so-so dog. She loves to grow things in her garden, learn new crafting techniques, volunteer at her kids' school, and bake yummy things (especially with chocolate). She has lived with Crohn's for most of her life and is encouraged by all the progress that has been made over the years in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Praise For…

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Praise for Gut Reaction:

"A powerful story about living with a disease and not letting it define who you are." -- Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Two Degrees

"Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt have cooked up a rich, warm story about Crohn's Disease, courage, and cookies. The voice is heartfelt and authentic, leavened with humor and, oh my frog, delicious desserts. Gut Reaction is a wonderful book about important things, and I recommend it highly." -- Karen Cushman, author of the Newbery Award winning The Midwife's Apprentice

"A multi-layered, straight-from-the-heart story written with a light, deft touch, Gut Reaction will inspire readers to pursue their creative passions. I loved this touching, sweet, and engaging book!" -- Barbara Dee, award-winning author of Unstuck

"Sweet and delicious! You will gobble up this book in one bite!" -- Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times bestselling author of The Fourteenth Goldfish

"Gut Reaction is a much-needed and important book for everyone: those suffering with Crohn's disease, their family and friends who want to help them, and for all the rest who need to understand...Toss in a handful of lovable and diverse characters and an edge-of-your-seat cooking competition and Gut Reaction is a recipe for success." -- Barbara O'Connor, author of How To Steal A Dog and Wish

"Gut Reaction is a poignant, triumphant tale about living with chronic illness, overcoming loss and reaffirming joy and self-love. Tess is funny, relatable, brave, and an awesome baker! -- Jewell Parker Rhodes, NYT Bestselling author of Ghost Boys and Treasure Island: Runaway Gold

I loved Gut Reaction from the first line. It made me feel the same way I felt when I ready my canon Judy Blume books, Blubber and Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret because the writers have taken the weirdness that is the changing human body and made it 1) okay to talk about and 2) safe to talk about. . . a joy to read." -- Natalie Lloyd, author of A Snicker of Magic and Hummingbird

"I would have finished Gut Reaction in one swoop--but I didn't want it to end. I especially loved the baking connection, but the story's honesty, the humor and the friendships added so many layers. If the topic seems serious--and it is, the way Tess struggles to accept her illness will resonate with readers. Tess Medina is an inspiration. Her story will be one you'll remember long after that last page is turned." -- Augusta Scattergood, author of Glory Be, and The Way To Stay In Destiny

"Great British Baking Show meets Guts by Raina Telgemeier. Entertaining and informative. Really put me inside the mind of a level-headed fourteen-year-old forced to deal with one awkward and humiliating situation after another." -- Gennifer Choldenko, Newbery Honor author of Al Capone Does My Shirts, and coauthor of Dogtown with Katherine Applegate

"I absolutely adored Gut Reaction. Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt take on a tricky topic, and do it terrifically. A sweetly satisfying story with a pitch-perfect protagonist, Gut Reaction is all heart." -- Dan Gemeinhart, author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise and The Midnight Children

"In case there is any doubt about the impact of Gut Reaction, the title says it all. This marvel of a book delivers the felt experience of a body in rebellion and a heart struggling to heal from loss...Gut Reaction creates ripples that extend beyond the page, leaving room for the reader to make their own meaning about loss, pain, identity and self-worth. Although it tackles a difficult topic, this is not an issue book; that is, unless being a teenager living in a stressful world with a body that sends incomprehensible messages is an issue--in which case, this is an everybody book.” -- Grier Jewell, author of Astrid at Risk

"Those of us who struggle with gastrointestinal symptoms and diagnoses know what a day to day struggle they impose upon us. Growing up is hard enough; experiences like those which Tess faces regularly compound the struggle. With grace and honesty...Larson & Wyatt tackle a narrative which provides a lens into the day-to-day life of Tess, who is dealing with not only loss, but also stomach problems...This is a story of courage; bravery; persistence. No matter what unique diagnoses and challenges life has dealt." -- Dr. Dylan C. Teut, director Plum Creek Literary Festival

"Gut Reaction weaves the tender topic of IBD with threads of friendship, secrets, and bravery into a blanket of empowerment...This wonderful story should be in every middle school library." -- Sylvia Tag, Youth Literature Librarian, Western Washington University

"Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt... use humor, hope, and a baking competition to remind us that family and friends are there for you when life throws you a "Whopper." This book will touch your heart! A must read!" --Heather Jensen, 5th grade teacher, Harrison Community Schools

Praise for Code Word Courage:

"With background research, including interviews with Navajo code talkers, and a knack for generating a heartwarming, genuine story, Larson seamlessly weaves the lives of the characters into the fabric of the 1944-45 home front setting." -- Booklist

"Remarkable, engaging and highly enjoyable historical fiction for young adults as well as all readers." -- Historical Novel Society

"A story of loneliness, loss, friendship, and identity." -- School Library Journal

"World War II continues to be a topic that fascinates young readers, and Code Word Courage will keep those obsessed with the era reading happily." -- YA Books Central

Praise for Liberty:

* "Larson once again creates an engaging story that is rich in historical details. She purposefully captures both the fear and the hope in a world torn by war as well as the simple love of a boy for his dog. Practically perfect." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A slice-of-life tale for historical fiction fans and animal lovers alike." -- School Library Journal

Praise for Dash:

Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

* "Emotionally satisfying and thought-provoking." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "[A] trenchant novel." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

Praise for Duke:

* "Exceptionally well-crafted and emotionally authentic." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "[An] incisive tale of loyalty, patriotism, sacrifice, and bravery." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

Praise for Audacity Jones to the Rescue:

* "Larson's thriller deftly mixes humor, heart-pounding moments, and a strongly evoked historical setting -- it's truly a story with something for everyone." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "The story's themes of trust, friendship, and good manners will resonate with many. Audacity's charm and smarts make this historical adventure a winner." -- Booklist, starred review

Praise for Audacity Jones Steals the Show:

"A suspenseful little mystery with heart." -- Kirkus Reviews

"This caper is magical." -- Booklist

Praise for Hattie Big Sky:

A Newbery Honor Recipient

* "[An] engaging historical novel... [Larson] creates a richly textured novel full of memorable characters." -- Booklist, starred review

* "Larson... create[s] a masterful picture of the homesteading experience and the people who persevered." -- School Library Journal, starred review