SMILE
Written and drawn by Raina Telgemeier
Colors by Stephanie Yue
Scholastic/Graphix, February 2010
224 pages, Full-color
Ages 8 – 12
Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-0545132053
Paperback ISBN-13: 978-0545132060
Also available as an ebook
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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, and 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. This coming-of-age true story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have ever had a bit of their own dental drama.
WINNER: Eisner Award for Best Publication for a Teen Audience, 2011
FINALIST: Children’s Choice Book Award, 2011
ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2011
HONOR BOOK: Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, 2010
Kirkus Best Book of 2010
New York Times Editors’ Choice, 2010
“It hits home partly because there is nothing else out there like it.”
— New York Times Book Review“An utterly charming graphic memoir of tooth trauma, first crushes and fickle friends, sweetly reminiscent of Judy Blume’s work…Irresistible, funny and touching – a must read for all teenage girls, whether en-braced or not.”
— KIRKUS Reviews“A charming addition to the body of young adult literature that focuses on the trials and tribulations of the slightly nerdy girl…This book should appeal to tweens looking for a story that reflects their fears and experiences and gives them hope that things get easier.”
— Publishers Weekly“Telgemeier’s storytelling and full-color cartoony images form a story that will cheer and inspire any middle-schooler dealing with orthodontia.”
— Booklist“Telgemeier’s book is an excellent addition to middle school literature.”
— School Library Journal“Raina…shares her ordeal with orthodontics, appearance, ridicule and pain with warmth, dignity and insightful humor. This book belongs in every school and on every family bookshelf. You don’t need to have had braces to appreciate the message in this graphic novel. I so enjoyed reading it, I couldn’t put it down.”
— Lynn Johnston, creator of For Better or For Worse“I’ve been writing about teen girls for 25 years and have never come close to what Raina has so magically captured in her funny, sad, inspiring and touching story. I guess I should have had more dental work.”
— Greg Evans, creator of Luann