Smile

Smile, by Raina Telgemeier, is a graphic novel depicts the true story of a teenage girl who loses her two front teeth in sixth grade and is faced with a grueling path of dental work and braces.  Throughout the story, Raina navigates through the social and emotional complexities of adolescence ranging from moments of embarrassment, pride, and love.  

This is a book that draws the reader in with the graphics and keeps them hooked with the story.  Raina realistically represents the drama faced by a girl struggling to cope with the fact that she lost her two front teeth.  Girls in sixth grade and up would enjoy this book because they would be able to relate to the main character.  As a girl going through or having gone through adolescence, the emotional turmoil Raina's character faces is something that the female reader can identify with and relate to.  While the protagonist is more relatable to the female reader, male readers may highly enjoy this book as well.  Boys in middle school and older will be able to relate to the social interactions and emotions presented in the story.  In addition, the graphic storyline presented in the book is an engaging and entertaining component of the story that can be appreciated by both males and females, especially if you've had the experience of braces!  

                                           

While the story touches on some deeply complex emotional and social issues such as love, friendship, and self image, it maintains an upbeat and humorous tone.  The novel is presented as a graphic novel, maintaining the comic-book like style of presentation.  The images are colorful and detailed, providing the perfect partnership to the story.  

Sarah Schloss