SLIS 5420 Module 13 Graphic Novels and Series Books SMILE

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Book Cover

Image retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Smile-Raina-Telgemeier/dp/0545132061

Book Summary

Just when a 6th grade girl, Raina, gets used to the idea of wearing braces hoping to be normal and have a ordinary junior high school experience, she falls and damages her two front teeth after a girl scout meeting. For the next 4 years, Raina goes through surgery, embarrassing headgear, braces, and retainers. During the same period of time, Raina also goes through a major earthquake, crushes on boys, and discovery true friendship. At the end of the book, Raina comes out of her metamorphosis into a confident girl with the right friends.

Reference

Telgemeier, Raina. (2010). Smile, Scholastic Inc. 

Librarian's Corner

I was very happy that I finally got a hold of this book. I've had several 5th grade girls asking for this book and was wondering about this book. I have never had strong feelings toward graphic novels, but Smile by Raina Telgemeier is one of the books that I could not put down and have to finish reading it at once. There are so many parts of the story that I can make connections with and this book truly took me back to my high school years. During those awkward years where everyone is trying to find his or her own place, I always thought that nobody would understand my feelings. But this book made me feel that I'm just like everybody else, even though that was a while ago.

Reviews

From Booklist

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 reader as well. Grades 5-8

Goldsmith, Francisca. (December 2009). [Review of the book Smile, by Raina Telgemeier]. Booklist, 106(8).

From Kirkus Reviews

Telgemeier has created an utterly charming graphic memoir of tooth trauma, first crushes and fickle friends, sweetly reminiscent of Judy Blume's work. One night, Raina trips and falls after a Girl Scout meeting, knocking out her two front teeth. This leads to years of painful surgeries, braces, agonizing root canals and other oral atrocities. Her friends offer little solace through this trying ordeal, spending more of their time teasing than comforting her. After years of these girls' constant belittling, Raina branches out and finds her own voice and a new group of friends. Young girls will relate to her story, and her friend-angst is palpable. Readers should not overlook this seemingly simply drawn work; the strong writing and emotionally expressive characters add an unexpected layer of depth. As an afterword, the author includes a photo of her smiling, showing off the results of all of the years of pain she endured. Irresistible, funny and touching—a must read for all teenage girls, whether en-braced or not. 2010, Graphix/Scholastic, 224p, $21.99. Category: Graphic memoir. Ages 12 up. © 2010 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Kirkus. (January 2010). [Review of the book Smile, by Raina Telgemeier]. Kirkus Reviews, 78(1).

Value to the Library

Elementary, Middle, and High School Library

The librarian can feature this book or another by Raina Telgemeier along with other graphic novels in a book display to promote graphic novels. The librarian can also create an anonymous wall where students share their most embarrassing moments and allow students to give feedback. The students might be surprised to find out that others also experience embarrassing moments and it's part of growing up.