Friday, February 3, 2017

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Cover image for SmileRaina is at an age when her parents believe she should get braces.  Right before she is to have them put on she trips and knocks out her two front teeth.  What follows is years of painful orthodontia and school awkwardness because of her messed up smile.  Here is another book that is one of the most popular graphic novels in our library. It was published in 2010, we own 10 copies, and still they are almost never on the shelf.  I can see the kid appeal.  Telgemeier is a great illustrator, with clear strong character portrayal and development.  It is a cute, autobiographical school story about growing up and dealing with all the social angst of a early teenager.  In some ways it is like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but more realistic and less snarky. It is less didactic than El Deafo, but there is a message: you will get through all this. (2013 p.)

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