Raina Telgemeier

An autobiography in graphic novel format describes how the author lost two of her front teeth in an accident when she was twelve, and her subsequent struggles with various corrective dental techniques throughout adolescence.

Smile

From sixth grade through ninth, Raina copes with various dental problems, including braces, while wishing to be noticed by the right boy, enduring teasing from her friends, and finally realizing that life is about more than just how she looks.

from the #1new york timesbestselling author

Patrick Book

Briar's Reviews

Smile by Raina Telgemeier is a story that totally connected with me in ways other books couldn't. Raina's story echoes a lot of my own, and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to see a story like this get shared. Many kids will face dental issues and bullying, so a book like this could do wonders for them!

I saw this book years ago and wanted to pick it up but never did. Recently, I found it at a local book store on sale and decided this was the time for me to grab it. I also just wanted some more cute graphic novels in my life, so that helped a lot.

I was honestly surprised how addicting and easy to read this book was. Yes, middle grade books tend to be easier for adults to read, but I found myself sinking into the story and not being able to get out. I related to it so much and I could totally feel for Raina. Middle school and high school are hard, especially when going through the pain of braces and surgeries (I for one, can attest to that). 

Some of the major positives of this book are as follows:
1. Raina shares a personal stories that many people can relate to. This story will hit many readers in ways they don't realize.

2. The illustrations in this book was fun and colourful and kept me hooked to the story.

3. The story was fast, easy to read, and quite fun (despite all the pain Raina was going through).

4. Raina standing up to her bullies was a serious "high-five" moment for me. Go Raina! You do you, girl!

5. There's lots of little references to my own childhood in this book, so I can totally see adults digging this book along with their kids. Seriously, this book can be read by "all ages". It's a great read!

Negatives:
1. I didn't realize this book was a memoir at first. I'm not sure if it was obvious or if I just missed it. That's literally the only negative I can find. This book is great!

In all honesty, I love this book. I would definitely recommend readers pick this book up for a little fun and a lot of nostalgia. Who doesn't forget those dreaded dentist appointments? Or if you were lucky enough to have braces, the craziness of those appointments! 

I will 100% be picking up any more books by Raina Telgemeier that I come across. 

Five out of five stars!

brianna

raina's work was such a big part of my childhood and i related to her so much in this i loved this and the art so much oh my GOD

Jeannette Ordas

A pretty wonderful graphic novel about getting braces, losing your two of your permanent front teeth in a rather traumatic way and all the awkwardness and drama of growing up. Loved this. 4.5 stars.

linda

Mariyah

Lincy

Ken Yuen

Another fine biography from Telgemeier. I guess we grew up around the same time and in around the same area, so it was nice to recognize some aspects of that from my teen years. But it was also a nice reminder of the awkwardness and self-discovery that everyone goes through as they transition from child to adult.

Having the narrative surround her ordeals with her teeth problem was frankly a reminder of an aspect of my past that I'd rather forget. I didn't lose my two front teeth, but I felt empathy for her since I have a history of dental problems of my own.

Relatable, funny, and cutely drawn.

Nadine 

Delightful book for middle schoolers. Raina Telgemeier takes her dental ordeals and uses them as a backdrop to writing about navigating the social and emotional landmarks of middle school including finding out who who "tribe" is and the kind of "friends" you don't want to stick around.

Raina Telgemeier's #1 New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award-winning graphic memoir based on her childhood! 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.

Laura Yaneth Martinez

It is about a girl named Raina getting braces but then she trips and loses two of her front teeth. She has to deal with alot espically her smile.

Nitin Khanna

Heather Heaton

My niece absolutely loves all of Raina Telgemeier's books and she has been begging me to read them. I was told that I should start with this one and overall it was a cute quick read. I don't read middle grade at all so I don't have much experience here, but I felt like it was a good read. I can appreciate the character growth and the way the author wrote in her struggles with bullying and friend groups. I feel like a middle grade kid would get a lot from that.

Kath Lau

This book is so gorgeous and fun! Absolutely perfect for middle-grade readers and so so relatable for older readers as well! 

Definitely going to check out the rest of the series!