Telgemeier handles crushes realistically - not every school crush becomes a boyfriend, and sometimes you switch crushes very quickly. I loved learning about how dentists handle issues such as hers, and her experience was both frightening and comforting, because at least if I ever had such an accident, I’d have a good shot at recovering, no? We don’t see a lot of Raina’s family in this story as most of it happens at school, but they are still a reassuring presence, especially her mom. At that age, I might not have handled things as well as she did.Īnother interesting aspect of this book for me is Raina’s dental problems. Although her dental issues do affect her self-image, I thought she did a fantastic job of holding strong. Raina is very likable and goes through many relatable middle school woes, made even more agonizing by her dental issues. I truly admire Telgemeier’s ability to share her life stories as graphic memoirs, and create an enjoyable plot out of a story spanning over two years. Smile follows Telgemeier from sixth grade until high school as each attempt to rectify the situation with her teeth is stumped and doctors are forced to try a different route. Her friends are sometimes insensitive toward the things that matter to her and she’s finding herself newly developing crushes on boys, even as she’s too embarrassed to smile, thanks to the braces, head gear, retainer, and other contraptions she has to wear throughout the course of this book. Throughout this process, Raina still has middle school to tackle.

Thus begins an unending series of visits to dentists and different treatment options. I'm glad she finds how to love herself through all her teeth trials and friend troubles, but my daughter wasn't ready yet for the ideas of obsessing over kissing boys, insecurities and peer pressure.In her graphic memoir Smile, Raina is just trying to enjoy being a sixth grader when an accident severely injures her two front teeth. Finally in the end, she decides to start doing something she likes to do and makes better friends, who work together and like her for herself.

At one point, her mom says in a demeaning way that she needs a bra, without talking to her about puberty in any way. They do admit that they are kidding and she doesn't leave the house that way. Although things do improve at the very end of the book, the main character focuses on physical insecurity throughout the whole book, with friends who are obsessed with boys and try to pressure her to kiss anyone at the party just so she can 'get her first kiss.' The friends push her to dress very scantily in a mini skirt, tube top and fish net stockings (which is pictured) to impress her crush.

The graphics were cute and she was hooked and finished it in one sitting. This was a really fun book for my daughter, but I was unhappy with the age rating and some of the negative themes.

Smile by raina telgemeier