Bibliographic Citation: Telgemeier, Raina. (2010). Smile. New York: Graphix,
Summary: Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. One night after Girl Scouts, she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth in the process. Thus begins a long and frustrating dental journal with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. All these dental problems affect how Raina feels about herself and her appearance until she finally discovers who she really is and finds out what true friendship means.
Reviews: “Gr 5 Up--When she was in sixth grade, Telgemeier tripped while running and lost her two front teeth. In the years that followed, she went through a torturous series of dental surgeries and repairs, the trauma of which was mirrored by the social struggles she experienced during her adolescence. A minor complaint is that there is no mention of when all of this took place, and readers may be puzzled by seeming anachronisms such as old-school Nintendo games. Telgemeier's full-color artwork is confident and light, and her storytelling is appropriately paced. This straightforward and entertaining autobiographical comic is sure to please.” Davey, D. P. (2010). Smile. School Library Journal, 56(3), 186. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
“The dental case that Telgemeier documents in this graphic memoir was extreme: a random accident led to front tooth loss when she was 12, and over the next several years, she suffered through surgery, implants, headgear, false teeth, and a rearrangement of her remaining incisors. Accompanying the physical treatment came social rough spots with friends, while puberty delivered another set of curveballs with crushes, maturing bodies, and changing family expectations and judgments. Both adults and kids— including various dental professionals and younger siblings—are vividly and rapidly portrayed, giving quick access to the memoirist’s world. Telgemeier’s storytelling and full-color cartoony images form a story that will cheer and inspire any middle-schooler dealing with orthodontia. At the same time, she shows how her early career choice as an animator took root during this difficult period—offering yet another gentle reminder that things have turned out fine for the author and can for her readers as well.” Goldsmith, F. (2009). Smile. Booklist, 106(8), 37-38. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Personal Impressions: I’ve had my own share of dental problems so I felt I could relate rather well to this story. Of course, I personally haven’t had any teeth knocked out but I’ve dealt with braces (twice) and headgear. This is another story about growing up and just wanting to be accepted. The graphics are fun and the story is one many teens can relate to. The story also has some funny moments that make you smile. The twists and turns that the author had to deal with is almost enough to make you want to give up if you were her and yet she took it in stride. It’s almost hard to believe that this all happened to one person.
Suggestions for Use: This is a great novel for teens. It is a great book for discussing individuality and accepting yourself for who you are as well as what it means to be a true friend. I would also recommend this to any teen that recently got braces as a way to cheer them up and make them feel better. They may think they have it bad until they read this novel.
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