Smile is Telgemeier’s autobiographical, graphic novel account of her middle school years. In sixth grade she trips and the subsequent fall results in the loss of her two front teeth. Over the next few years, she suffers through numerous surgeries and repairs aggravated by the simple fact that she is an adolescent- not only does she have to deal with the normal pre-pubescent fare, she has to deal with head gear, false teeth, and the rearrangement of her remaining incisors. Along the way, she experiences difficulties in her relationships with friends and family as well as all the glory of puberty- changing and maturing bodies, crushes on the opposite sex, and the increasing expectations and judgments of her family. Her graphic novel is the modern equivalent to Judy Blume novels in the 1980’s- she understands the terrain, because she has lived there, experienced the pain, and come out on the other side a stronger, more whole person. I would strongly recommend this title to any tween dealing with challenging circumstances, especially young girls. The amount of pain, suffering, and ridicule the author has to endure throughout the course of the story is enough to make the faint of heart cringe, but the outcome is worthwhile. The reader will be comforted with the knowledge that the author is a successful author/illustrator and is living a happy and comfortable life.
Telgemeier, Raina. (2010). Smile. New York: Graphix. 213 pages. ISBN: 978-0-545-13205-3.
Ages 9-12
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