Try

The theme of 'Try' represents the antidote to Raina’s problems with her guts and anxiety attacks. Telgemeier uses this theme to show the young adult reader that the first step is simply to work on something, or to try. She also uses this theme to encourage young adult readers in how to overcome a fear, a person or food they might not like, or a feeling of inadequacy. And finally, Telgemeier demonstrates with the word try, how Raina is able to help others overcome their own problems and create new friendships.

Telgemeier introduces the theme of trying through Raina’s therapist as the antidote to Raina’s fears and anxieties. She later reinforces this with Mr. Abrams, tying together Raina’s fears over her stomach problems and her fears about Michelle. In Raina’s first session she fails at words thinking, “Thoughts can exist . . . Feelings...