Smile

( 59 )

Overview

From the artist of BSC Graphix comes this humorous coming-of-age true story about the dental drama that ensues after a trip-and-fall mishap.

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 ...

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More About This Book

Overview

From the artist of BSC Graphix comes this humorous coming-of-age true story about the dental drama that ensues after a trip-and-fall mishap.

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.

Winner of the 2011 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens

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Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature - Kathie M. Josephs
Anyone who has gone through middle school can attest that this is a most complicated time because of both physical and emotional changes. Being an adolescent is just plain hard. This is true even when everything goes right. However, in this autobiographical story there is one massive issue that Raina has to deal with that her friends do not and that is losing her two front teeth due to an accident. The comical yet thought-provoking autobiographical writing is compelling and very enjoyable. The problem is not just losing two teeth, but it is the many surgeries, very embarrassing headgear, and a temporary retainer that has false teeth that adds to Raina's misery in middle school. She is actually happy when she gets the retainer because she looks normal, but when it falls out in front of her friends she is mortified. When Christmas comes she is excited to see what her grandmother has sent her—it is a box of peanut brittle! Along with dealing with the teeth problem, she also has to adjust to having a crush, her family changing, and most of all, learning the hard lesson that friends are not always what they appear to be. This is a must read for any middle school girl. It is funny and touching, and the reader will be able to identify with the many feelings Raina has. The illustrations are wonderful and add much to the book. This would be a great gift to give to a child ready to head off to middle school but especially to a child heading for middle school that is having orthodontia work. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs
School Library Journal
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.—Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada
Elizabeth Bird
There are comic-style books aimed at older teenagers on every conceivable subject, but Smile is unusual. It's a fictionalized memoir (some names and details have been changed), but also the equivalent of a Judy Blume novel: younger readers can turn to it for understanding and comfort. It hits home partly because there is nothing else out there like it.
—The New York Times
Dave Burbank and Karen MacPherson
…the real focus of Smile is Telgemeier's search for identity, a universal experience with which readers will readily identify. Her illustrations bear her trademark cartoonist touch, while the story's emotion is highlighted by the work of colorist Stephanie Yue.
—The Washington Post
Publishers Weekly
A charming addition to the body of young adult literature that focuses on the trials and tribulations of the slightly nerdy girl. Telgemeier's autobiographical tale follows her from sixth grade, when her two front teeth are knocked out during a fluke accident, through high school, when, her teeth repaired, she bids good-bye to her childhood dentist. Like heroines stretching from Madeleine L'Engle's Vicky Austin through Judy Blume's Margaret to Mariko and Jillian Tamaki's Skim, Raina must navigate the confusing world of adolescence while keeping her sense of self intact. Many of her experiences are familiar, from unrequited crushes to betrayals by friends to embarrassing fashion choices. The dramatic story of her teeth, however, adds a fresh twist, as does her family's experience during the San Francisco earthquake in 1989. Although the ending is slightly pedantic, Telgemeier thoughtfully depicts her simultaneous feelings of exasperation and love toward her parents, as well as her joy at developing her artistic talent—she's deft at illustrating her characters' emotions in a dynamic, playful style. This book should appeal to tweens looking for a story that reflects their fears and experiences and gives them hope that things get easier. Ages 9–13. (Feb.)
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. (Graphic memoir. 12 & up)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780545132060
  • Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
  • Publication date: 2/1/2010
  • Pages: 224
  • Sales rank: 20,407
  • Age range: 8 - 12 Years
  • Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 7.90 (h) x 0.70 (d)

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 59 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(50)

4 Star

(6)

3 Star

(3)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 59 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 11, 2010

    Smile

    Smile much? Well, for Raina in this situation, not so much. Raina Telgemeier had an accident that wasn't so pleasant, and it interferes with boys, middle school, and being a teenager. Braces, head gear, and a retainer with false teeth can explain a little of the so called "solution" to her dental accident. Smiling isn't apart of her life.yet.
    The author Raina Telgemeier grew up in San Francisco then moved to New York City where she got her masters degree at The School of Viual Arts. Her comics have been nominated for the Ignatz, Cybil, and Eisner Awards. Raina's comics have been shown on the web, magazine, and more.
    I'm like Raina because we both were involved with Girl Scouts, she likes a little bit of jewelry, and hanging out with friends. I'm not sure if my braces will interfere with being in middle school as much as they did with her.
    Smile is a book that will make you want to read more because of its shocking and fascinating storyline.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted March 18, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

    Raina is struggling with one specific aspect of her life... her smile. Having to get braces, she's dreading having to be a brace face, metal mouth - anything you want to label it. However, it's her smile, especially her teeth, that will haunt her all the way through middle school and up into high school.

    From having them knocked out, to wearing head gear, to even having to get a retainer with two fake front teeth. To get that perfect smile it's going to be a long journey... and a very painful one, at that.

    Along the way, social problems continue to follow Raina. From crushing on a younger guy, to getting that athlete to notice her, to even standing up for herself after she's had enough of the humiliation, Raina discovers who she is, how she shouldn't change anything about herself, and that true friends would never make or put you in awkward situations.

    Accompanied by colorful pictures, a cute and realistic storyline, and a main character that any person will be able to identify with, SMILE by Raina Telgemeier does one thing especially well... it makes the reader smile!

    Many of us have experienced getting braces, feeling the intense pain when we want that bite of the burger we can't have just yet. Almost all of us can understand what it's like when you want to break apart from the not-so-great friends we've had. Telgemeier does a fantastic job in capturing the true essence and emotions of a person going through changes.

    SMILE is one book you'll want your kids to read... and the one you'll want to read yourself!

    4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 19, 2011

    10 YEAR OLD GIRL LOVES THIS BOOK

    I have been trying to get my 10 year old daughter to read a book and she got so into this book!! This is really great and I think kids love it because of expressive pictures and a true story of the author and kids think thats pretty cool!! great book!!

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 24, 2010

    It sure did make my Smile!

    I absolutely LOVED this book! If you wanna know what I did when I read it, all you have to do is read the title, Smile! I recommend this book for all kids and even teens! It is a great book!

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 4, 2013

    I luv this book soooooo much As much as i luv justin bieber And

    I luv this book soooooo much
    As much as i luv justin bieber
    And trust me that's alot!!!!!!!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 27, 2011

    Masterpiece

    It's a wonderful book that you should read!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 6, 2011

    smile

    5th grader loved this book,quick read for her finished in 1 day

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 17, 2011

    i love this book

    this was the best book in the world this my favirot and it might seem wered at first but when you get in to it you are going to love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 14, 2011

    BEST BOOK

    i think this book is great and intresting

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 27, 2011

    "Smile" Deserves a Slight Grin

    "Smile", by Raina Telgemeier, is a graphic novel chapter-book about a girl losing her two front teeth from an accident, and living through middle and high school. I found it very realistic, and interesting how it showed (in detail) the process Raina (the main character) had to go through to fix her teeth. Raina's life seems to fall around her ever since her two front teeth were busted out in 6th grade. "Smile" shows her constant struggle to "fit in" with her on-again off-again braces, colored tooth molds, retainers, and numbing Novocaine. Raina tells of her struggle with her teeth disater over the course of middle and high school, where friends are met, friends are let go, crushes are formed, and embarassing events take place. Will Raina ever learn to finally smile? I enjoyed the storyline, as it showed an uncommon story with an interesting style of telling it: through art. Overall, "Smile" was an average chick-lit book, with good parts and bad parts. I found it quite unique and interesting. Three stars.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 27, 2011

    You must check this out

    This book is very awesome this acutaly a true story is was shoking read about the aciddent she got in to. This book will keep you form puting it down. This book will inspire you not to give up hope something good will come to you.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 24, 2011

    you must check it out!!!!!!!!!

    I think its very eductional for kids to read and write about.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 5, 2011

    Reaaally Good!!

    I read this book in half an hour. It was really good! I like memoirs. I would request it to someone who likes "drama." It is very good, buy it! It is a comic book, so it doesn't take long to finish.(:

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 26, 2011

    LOVE IT!!!!!

    This is a great book about being brave.I love it.(so much that I have read it 5 times :))

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 13, 2010

    Best Book!

    Best book I ever read once i started reading it I could not put it down! Ive read it over thirty times! Great book to read over and over again!

    1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 6, 2013

    I think that this book is a great tool to highlight the long, ex

    I think that this book is a great tool to highlight the long, exhausting journey between 6th grade and high
    school. It tells about the growth of maturity and how a girl called Riana adapts to it. It also talks about the current fashion which teens like and how desperately Riana wants to take her braces off in fear of being called a "nerd". I think this book is very good

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 6, 2011

    EXCELLENT BOOK STORE

    love the book selection

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 6, 2011

    My 10 year old loved it!!

    My 10 year old who hates to read, read this book in one day. She didn't want to put it down.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 7, 2011

    i would really recommended you to read this book

    this book was so good i read it in 1 1/2 day but i read it 30 min a day!!!

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2011

    Pretty good!

    This book is all about the tough life of a teenager who has to deal with braces for way longer than most people. The main character goes through her middle and high school years. She learns what true friendship's like. It's a graphic novel.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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