Smile
by Raina Telgemeier
This is a story about family, friends, boys and dental drama! And it’s all true! All Raina wanted was to be a normal average sixth grader. But after Girl Scouts one evening, her friends challenge her to a race and along the way she trips, falls, and knocks out her two front teeth. No problem. The dentist just sticks them back in Raina’s gums and covers them with a cast-like material to aid in the healing process. It could be worse, right?
It is!! Much, much worse! A very long, painful and frustrating journey lies ahead. Braces go on and off a couple of times, surgery is required, dorky headgear and to top it all off, a retainer with fake teeth attached. Along this bumpy journey, Raina also experiences a major earthquake, boy troubles, friends that turn out not to be, and the agony of middle school and onto high school.
However, in the end, Raina emerges a stronger, more confident girl with an absolutely fantastic SMILE!!
If you liked this book/topic, try:
- Shug
- First Kiss (Then Tell)
- No Body’s Perfect : Stories by Teens About Body Image, Self-acceptance, and the Search for Identity
Filed under: 6th Grade Book Talk, graphic novel, Growing Up, Middle School, Realistic Fiction Tagged: | dental care, friendship, graphic novels, Orthodontics, puberty, self-esteem
