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.