Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Pages:  214

Intended Audience: Teens and Tweens

Genre: Graphic Novel / Real Life

Notes for parents: None

The Back Cover

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night, after Girl Scouts, she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached! And on top of all that, there’s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. Raina’s story takes us from middle school to high school, where she discovers her artistic voice, finds out what true friendship really means, and where she can finally…smile.

What the Back Cover doesn’t tell you:

This is a graphic novel portraying the author’s real life story.

What’s good?

Raina is goofy and awkward and very relatable. The social and personal horror that follows her bumbling accident is heartfelt – I cheered for her the entire way. The colour drawings are excellent. This engaging story moves quickly and covers aspects of growing up that will be familiar to readers of all ages – boys, trouble with friends, self-esteem, etc.

Best part: When she stands up to her friends!

What’s not so good?

The story is set in the eighties so some readers may be confused by the pop culture references.

Worst part: None

Recommendations þþþþo

This is not a complex story, but it’s quick, easy, and a lot of fun. Highly recommended!

Telgemeier, Raina. Smile. New York: Scholastic, 2010.