Smile Makes Me Smile

Smile by Raina Telgemeier is one of my all time favorite graphic novels.  It was also the 2012 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award winner.  It is based on the experiences of the author and illustrator.  Click here to hear how she says her name...I mispronounced it for a year after reading Smile...whoops!

It all starts when Raina and her friends are racing home one night after Girl Scouts. Raina trips and falls onto her face.  She loses one of her front teeth and the other front tooth is pushed up into her gums.  Now, these are her adult teeth, so much work has to be done in order for her to heal.  She not only has to go to the dentist often, but also an endodontist (works on dental pulp [#3 on diagram]) and a periodonist (works on cementum and gums [#4 and #5 on diagram]).

This book doesn't just focus on Raina's dental issues, we get to watch as she goes through the 6th through 9th grades.  She deals with her family (little siblings), her friends, headgear, and cute boys.  

I highly recommend this graphic novel.  I've read it three times and I can't wait to read Telgemeier's new book, Drama.   In our Library, Smile is in the stacks @ 617.6 Tel and Drama is @ 741.5 Tel.  Enjoy!

Here is a book trailer that I made for Smile. 

Click here to get to the DCF website.

 

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Last night, I sat down and read one of the 2013-2014 DCF books.  It was recommended to me by Mr. Dobson's daughter (she's an avid reader), and I'm so glad she told me to read it! 


Carley Connors is entered into foster care when her mother is put into the hospital by Carley's stepfather.  Carley adjusts to living with a family who is not her own, but that  is an actual family...something she hasn't experienced before.  She is good at closing herself to the love that the Murphys are offering.  She even helps one of the three Murphy boys with his basketball game.  Will she open up to the love and friendship that are freely offered or will she turn it away until she can go home to her mother?


I highly recommend this book.  It not only deals with the hard situation of being put into the foster care system, but also with experiencing a new school, a new family, and new friends.
Toni is my favorite character, I must say.  She is obsessed with Broadway shows, but particularly with Wicked, my all time favorite show!  You are going to want to listen to the soundtrack when you are done reading.   I hope you'll pick this book up off of the DCF bookshelf at the beginning of the new school year (or at your local library this summer)!  Happy reading!

Click here to see the whole 2013-2014 DCF list!