Smile

Feb 02, 2012

Mallika Sankaran rated it

Smile by Raina Telgemeier is a realistic fiction graphic novel. It is a true story about the author herself. It was nominated for a Red Dot Award in 2011-2012.

It tells the story of Raina's life from middle school to high school. You might think that a book just about middle school and high school is boring but not when the unexpected happens. In this book, it's when Raina falls down one day as she is running back home when her two front teeth fall out as they smash against the ground....more

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Feb 22, 2011

Cate Levinson rated it

Poet Ogden Nash said, "Some tortures are physical/And some are mental,/But the one that is both/Is dental."

Graphic Novelist Raina Talgemeier knows this all too well; she is the Odysseus of modern dentistry. The author tells of her own particular journey of adolescent woe which came in the form of a seemingly endless tangle of dentists, endontists, periodontists, orthodonists, with their promises to perfect her not-so pearly whites.

In sixth grade Tanglemeier got ...morePoet Ogden Nash said, "Some tortures are physical/And some are mental,/But the one that is both/Is dental."

Graphic Novelist Raina Talgemeier knows this all too well; she is the Odysseus of modern dentistry. The author tells of her own particular journey of adolescent woe which came in the form of a seemingly endless tangle of dentists, endontists, periodontists, orthodonists, with their promises to perfect her not-so pearly whites.

In sixth grade Tanglemeier got braces to fix a run-of-the-mill overbite. Then, while horsing around with her friends, she fell, and knocked out her two front teeth. This one misstep plunged her into a four-year ordeal of painful procedures, torturous surgeries, not-to-mention a perpetually changing appearance at a time when every kid is having a crisis of confidence. (As if puberty isn't traumatic enough!) Follow this lost heroine as she battles pimples, overcomes destructive friendships with hypercritical mean girls, endures painful oral surgeries, and finally finds her way to feeling at home in her own skin when she reaches high school.

In a particularly wonderful moment, Raina rebukes her long-time "friends" who do nothing but tear her down and tease her. She realizes no friends are better than those friends. Of course she adrift and lonely for a while, but Raina makes new friends soon enough.

The moment-of-truth comes when Raina is finally freed from her brace-faced prison. Despite all she has endured, the results are far from perfect. Dreading what she has come to expect as inevitable teasing in response to each dental iteration, she approaches her friends with trepidation. But these new friends are nothing like the petty old friends. They're like, "you look cute... let's go eat!" Phew! These new amigos are actually fun to be around. What's more they love and support her. And with that they wander off into a bright future. This is a must-read for anyone who has ever gone through puberty; you know who you are. Welcome home weary traveler!(less)

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Feb 05, 2012

Jessica Griggs rated it

At first, I didn't know what to expect from this book. When I got it, I opened it up and immediately saw pictures. Like the little kid that I am (a 13 yr old girl in a 21 yr old woman's body), I was immediately excited and ready to start. One of my favorite comic book/series is Calvin and Hobbes, so I was very eager to see what this book held between its pages. I was still curious, because I knew Smile held a different weight and focus than Calvin and Hobbes. I was not sure how a book full of pi...moreAt first, I didn't know what to expect from this book. When I got it, I opened it up and immediately saw pictures. Like the little kid that I am (a 13 yr old girl in a 21 yr old woman's body), I was immediately excited and ready to start. One of my favorite comic book/series is Calvin and Hobbes, so I was very eager to see what this book held between its pages. I was still curious, because I knew Smile held a different weight and focus than Calvin and Hobbes. I was not sure how a book full of pictures that make up one long comic strip could hold somewhat of the same ground as a non-graphic novel; until I realized that I had just finished possibly the funniest and touching book in about an hour and a half. I couldn't put it down, nor did I want to. What made it even better is the fact that this book is actually based off a true story and it actually happened.

As a student, I felt every part of Raina's story. Since I went through the trial and error of braces, and even underwent the torturous and numerous variety of doctor visits, I completely sympathized with her. Other than her "vampire teeth", we pretty much had the same school life, which made her story completely relate-able. The only thing we didn't share was the earthquake experience. As I turned the pages, I found that I wasn't just reading a story about Raina, but about myself. I was watching me crush on two different boys, fighting with my sister, playing video games and being crushed by my "friends". I saw myself blossom from awkward middle schooler to high school/college student, through Raina. Honestly, I was laughing the whole time I read this book, between the exaggerated pictures and expressions to the language. I also laughed because I completely understood what she was going through, and as I made the journey with her, I was also laughing at a past me.

As a teacher, without a doubt, I would teach this book. It would be a great seg-way between middle and high school. Also, students would be more inclined to read this book and understand it since they can see the words and the pictures together, almost like a still movie and the remote to go to the next scene is just them turning the page. Like myself, this book is also extremely relate-able. Students will want to read this book and they will connect with it more since it will be a lot of what they are going through, particularly the girls. This will be a definite addition to my in-class library as well!

There is no doubt that I will be using this book in the future, and re-reading it in the near future as well. I also have a younger sister, and for a fact, she will be reading this book, especially if she goes into braces. I feel that this book helps make growing up a little less scary and a little more clear and realistic. (less)

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Feb 08, 2012

L12_Casey Strauss rated it

Shelves: graphic-novels, picture-books

Based on a true story, Smile is told from the perspective of middle school-aged Raina, who, after an accidental fall, then begins the long dentist office filled journey of recovery for the next several years. Initially, because of the fall, her front two teeth are then pushed up into her mouth, making the front two shorter than the rest. The reader then follows Raina as she has to return to school and suffer the teasing of her fellow classmates. As time goes on, her teeth are completely remov...more

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Feb 05, 2012

Shannon Mitchell rated it

· review of another edition

I do not read a lot of graphic novels. When I think about it, college has been the most I have had a graphic novel assigned to me. Before college, the last time a book with pictures had been assigned to me was in elementary school. Through my recent reads, I have found that there are many graphic novels with great substance. I enjoyed Smile because it was relatable; it had substance; and it included a lot of funny graphics.
As a reader, I empathize with Raina’s middle school changes. I...more I do not read a lot of graphic novels. When I think about it, college has been the most I have had a graphic novel assigned to me. Before college, the last time a book with pictures had been assigned to me was in elementary school. Through my recent reads, I have found that there are many graphic novels with great substance. I enjoyed Smile because it was relatable; it had substance; and it included a lot of funny graphics.
As a reader, I empathize with Raina’s middle school changes. I remember getting my braces in the seventh grade. Braces were popular. I begged my mom to let me get them. When she finally let me have them, everyone had already got his or her braces taken off. I felt like I was the only “brace face” left and the rest of the seventh grade class made sure I knew it. The novel reminded me of how mean students could be. I remember when I stop wearing pigtails in middle school. The other girls who sat at my lunch table with me made it clear it was not cool anymore. I also remember learning how to flirt, liking guys who were older than me, and being nervous about starting high school. The book painted a vivid picture of what middle school feels and looks like for many students.
As a teacher, I think this book would be a light read that many students could relate to. Smile does a great job of presenting the funny aspects while still painting the pivotal moments in a middle school girl’s life. Although the book is full of pictures and funny scenes, I think the students will still find the substance and deeper meaning in the context of the text. Many students have, have had, or know someone who has had braces. This book presents opportunities for discussion about bullying and the want to fit in. I would also recommend this book to students who are having trouble adjusting or has trouble reading. It’s an intimidating read and easy to relate to.
Because this novel is based off of the author’s true story, I think that is what makes this novel more relatable. You figure out that these things truly happened to other people and you were not alone in your middle school misery. I enjoyed the novel and I am sure students will enjoy too.
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Jan 27, 2012

Marykcecil rated it

Smile is a wonderful book. I deeply enjoyed it, most likely because I had to get braces in middle school. The book is definitely very relatable, which is why I enjoyed it so much. It is funny. I also liked the fact that it was a graphic novel. The pictures gave all the description the author needed so there wasn't extra text to delay the reader on what was going to happen next.

As a reader, this book was very relatable, interesting, and entertaining. I enjoyed sitting down and reading ...moreSmile is a wonderful book. I deeply enjoyed it, most likely because I had to get braces in middle school. The book is definitely very relatable, which is why I enjoyed it so much. It is funny. I also liked the fact that it was a graphic novel. The pictures gave all the description the author needed so there wasn't extra text to delay the reader on what was going to happen next.

As a reader, this book was very relatable, interesting, and entertaining. I enjoyed sitting down and reading this book. While it is a book I could have put down, I'm glad I didn't need to. The variety of themes allowed me to relate to Raina's middle school troubles, whether it be braces, acne, boys, or your very own friends. I personally experienced many of these things in middle school, as I'm sure everyone else did too. The story made it seem as if Raina was the only one struggling, and yet allowed the reader to know she/he isn't/wasn't the only one struggling. Smile was almost disappointing because of how quick the read was. I was able to read it in one sitting. The story felt short and undeveloped. When I finished, I felt ‘jipped.’

As a teacher, this text could definitely be used in the classroom as an introductory text or supplementary text. I doubt I would ever use it as a main text. Frankly, the story, while good, isn't as rich as many other texts. The graphic novel does have themes that we might discuss in the classroom, but the themes are not built throughout the story. Rather, the themes are blocked onto each other. Smile could definitely be used though. The story explores many themes and by using this simple text, students could relate to a good story while learning from a quick read text.

So in a nutshell, Smile is a great book. It is wonderfully interesting and entertaining. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone to do some leisurely reading. It is a quick read which can be viewed as either good or bad. Smile, while it has little use in the classroom, could definitely be used as an entertaining introductory or supplementary text. All in all, go read it!
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Mar 23, 2011

Rowlak5 rated it

Shelves: 2011

A graphic novel I picked up for my 6th grader who just got braces. She read it this afternoon from cover to cover, finished, then walked over to our computer to search for more books written by Telgemeier. I quickly read it myself and am glad I did! A relevant, fun, comic novel that touches on many of the awkward themes facing pre-teens. Hey, if reading it actually made my daughter SMILE, I guess you really CAN judge a book by its cover :-)

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Aug 17, 2011

Shannon rated it

Shelves: 2011

After vociferous recommendations from Colby Sharp, I finally got my copy from the library. Let it be known that if dental work and teeth stuff freak you out, this book will probably make you physically ill. But you should read it. The emotions and girl relationships are spot on. Read it alongside David Small's Stitches.

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Dec 28, 2011

Jen Kilpatrick rated it

Loved that it was a true story. Personal connection almost made me give it a 4. The author and I are close to the same age...so the details in the drawings and even some of the text included things from my own adolescence-New Kids on the Block, Little Mermaid, Guess, B.U.M., Nintendo, Hello Kitty, Y.M., Caboodles, scrunchies, Baby Sitters Club, Esprit, Ex'cla-ma'tion, and fashion trends-making it especially fun to read. And then of course their are timeless treasures being a teen-braces, head...more

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Dec 20, 2011

Muffintop rated it

Shelves: books-i-own

Some books begin with the main charater falling in love this book begins with actually falling and having her front teeth knocked out, things only can get worse from there. With pressure from her friends, earings, and high school this graphic novel is one of my favorite books.

(2011)
I still love this book. I read it before I got braces and I distinctly remember one picture where the orthodontist is standing up yanking on her braces's wires. and I remember thinking "Wow! tha...more

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Jan 29, 2012

Jennifer Brewer added it · review of another edition

When I first picked up Smile, I was hesitant to jump right into it. Young Adult novels are just not my favorite genre, nor are graphic novels. As I started reading, however, I found myself instantly immersed; only a few minutes had passed and I was already well into a good story—and hooked. I ended up finishing the novel that same night because I found it extremely readable and I was genuinely interested in the outcome of the story. I wanted to keep reading.
Another thing I enjoyed as...moreWhen I first picked up Smile, I was hesitant to jump right into it. Young Adult novels are just not my favorite genre, nor are graphic novels. As I started reading, however, I found myself instantly immersed; only a few minutes had passed and I was already well into a good story—and hooked. I ended up finishing the novel that same night because I found it extremely readable and I was genuinely interested in the outcome of the story. I wanted to keep reading.
Another thing I enjoyed as a reader was the fact that I could relate to several of the illustrations because the story was set in the early 1990s. Growing up in the ‘90s myself, it was cool being able to recognize things in some of Telgemeier’s illustrations from my own childhood such as Nintendo, Teen Spirit, and Caboodles cosmetic organizers.
I think this novel would be great for younger readers because it effortlessly draws the reader in with the rich imagery and story line, without giving the feeling that one is investing too much mentally. This novel dealt with many of the same issues that almost everybody experiences in middle and high school and recounted the author’s personal story in a light-hearted, sometimes humorous manner that makes one feel a personal connection to the protagonist. We’ve all felt like an outcast at some point in our lives, whether it was the classic middle school metal-mouth, four-eyes, or pepperoni-face, this novel really found a way to hit home.
I would definitely recommend Smile to teachers because I feel like students could really get a lot out of it. This book does a great job of addressing the theme of self-identity and touches on issues that almost all adolescents experience. In addition, I feel that a reader friendly graphic novel such as Smile is a great break from the monotony of challenging canonical works that students will truly enjoy reading. I also feel that it is important for teachers to address the fact that students have very different reading styles and preferences; teaching a variety of texts—including graphic novels-- is highly beneficial for students.
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Jan 27, 2012

Erika added it · review of another edition

This book was very… cute. I had braces for seven years so could I relate to the protagonist’s dental woes? Yes. Was I necessarily engaged while reading? No. I give this book credit where credit is due, I’m sure to a younger audience, perhaps going through what Raina was (to one extent or another) would enjoy the book more than I did. I expect more from the books I read, especially graphic novels, than what was presented here. I found it very basic.

As a reader, I wasn’t hugely impres...more

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Nov 17, 2011

deejah rated it

I may have misspoke earlier in this book project when I declared my dislike of memoirs. Generally - I still am not a big fan, but I find that if the memoir is in the form of a graphic novel, I can be engaged and really like what is being said. SMILE is just the kind of memoir that I can get into!

Set in 1989 in San Francisco, author and illustrator Raina Telegmeier tells the tale of the awkward time in a tween's life when they have to get braces. She wants so badly to be a normal teen...more

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Feb 10, 2012

Victoria rated it

Smile

Smile is a comic book by Raina Telgemeier that is funny, sad, touching and very moving. about a girl named Raina who just wants to fit in like everyone else and be a normal sixth grader. But one night, after her girl scout meeting, she trips an falls. This causes her two front teeth to be seriously injured. This only gets worse when it leads problems one after another. Raina is constantly getting her Braces taken on and off of her again, she get’s surgery, a retainer with fake te...moreSmile

Smile is a comic book by Raina Telgemeier that is funny, sad, touching and very moving. about a girl named Raina who just wants to fit in like everyone else and be a normal sixth grader. But one night, after her girl scout meeting, she trips an falls. This causes her two front teeth to be seriously injured. This only gets worse when it leads problems one after another. Raina is constantly getting her Braces taken on and off of her again, she get’s surgery, a retainer with fake teeth attached, and just when you think that it couldn’t get any worse she is forced to wear extremely embarrassing headgear! While she has to deal with her dental problems, she has many more things to worry about, a major earthquake, boys, and friends who eventually turn out to be not so nice.

The thing that I liked the most about this book is that , it is a true story written by the author about the author’s teenage experiences from Middle School through High School. The book is also illustrated by the author. This means that it’s very original, because every teenager or child could relate tremendously. Raina Telgemeier has captured the highs and lows of being a teenager perfectly through her brilliantly illustrated comics. She has made the truth obvious that it’s not easy being a teenager, and that everybody at some point goes through something similar.

One of my favorite two scenes was when Raina was angry about the fact that the dentist was going to pull out her teeth, in order to move the rest of her top teeth toward the center. But when her mom invites her to come along with her sister to watch “The Little Mermaid” in the Cinemas. And since Raina was still grumpy about her teeth she acted as if she was reluctant to go. So when she’s inside the Cinema and waiting for the movie to begin, she thinks “Whatever. I’m too old for this Disney stuff. I’m totally gonna Hate this movie. I just know it. I’m totally gonna..........”. But the minute the movie and music starts , Raina becomes completely engrossed and enchanted with The little Mermaid. When the movie finally ends, she leaves the cinema still thinking about the movie. And way after the movie has ended, at least a week later, she is still obsessed about it. Because of the movie, Raina tells her friend “I finally know what I want to be when I grow up! And animator!”.

I like this scene because it was funny but interesting at the same time. Raina first comes into the cinema with the mindset that the movie is going to be completely uninteresting, but leaves the cinema completely spellbound with the movie and mermaids. These scene shows you that you shouldn’t always judge things before you know the full story.

The second of my favorite scenes was when Raina was waiting in line to get a snack, her two friends Nicole and Karin pulled her skirt down when she was’t looking.In a matter of seconds the eyes of the school were glued on her. Raina panics and runs into the girls bathroom sobbing. Eventually her friends come into the girl’s bathroom to get her to come back out. But Nicole and Karin couldn’t stop laughing when Raina comes out. It finnally reached to the boiling point where Raina couldn’t take it any more and stood up for herself. Here is a part of the scene where Raina stands up for herself.

Raina: You guys want a reaction from me? Fine: Karin, I am NOT a dog, Nicole I am NOT a vampire.
Nicole: Oh C’mon I haven’t called you that since--
Raina: And I am NOT going to let the rest of you disrespect me anymore! I’m done, GOOD-BYE!

I like this scene because, her friends have been teasing and putting her down for the past few years and Raina had to tolerate it. But when it had gone too far, she stood up for what was right. Every time her friends insulted her, it kind of made them feel better about themselves in some kind of twisted way. But just by standing up to her friends, it took away their “power” and pride of hurting her feelings. I really admire her for doing that. Because of what Raina did, she has inspired and taught me that, sometimes you have to be brave and let go of things in order to move forward.

Overall this book was amazing. It’s one of the best comic books that I’ve ever read, Raina Telgemeier has really captured the true feelings and emotions that every teenager goes experiences, through engaging illustrations. This book is extremely inspirational, has a lot of lessons to be learnt from it and I highly recommend it 5 stars out of 5. Remember, you don’t have to wear braces to enjoy this book!(less)

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Jan 30, 2012

Ishvani Patel rated it

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

This book is based on a true story. Raina who just wants to be a normal 6th grader. A normal teenager. But, one night, after girl scouts she was running and than tripped and fell, severely injuring her two front teeth and because of that what follows a frustrating journey and getting retainers and braces to fix her teeth. Raina want to be a normal teenager which isn’t really possible. She also has to deal with a major earthquake, boy confusion and friends wh...more

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Jan 30, 2012

Claire Ramos added it · review of another edition

I thought Smile was a nice break from the conventional novels that we have to read as literature students. For one, it took a lot less time to get through than some of our other works. More importantly, I found my reading experience to be more enjoyable. For whatever reason, doing Smile felt like less pressure. I think that because of the style, this being a graphic novel and all, I did not feel like I was reading this for anything more than entertainment purposes. Often, though I try not to be ...moreI thought Smile was a nice break from the conventional novels that we have to read as literature students. For one, it took a lot less time to get through than some of our other works. More importantly, I found my reading experience to be more enjoyable. For whatever reason, doing Smile felt like less pressure. I think that because of the style, this being a graphic novel and all, I did not feel like I was reading this for anything more than entertainment purposes. Often, though I try not to be this way, when I read for class, I read knowing that there is to be some analysis on my part, so I find myself treating the book like an academic text and fail to simply enjoy the book.
That said, as a reader, I really enjoyed the contrast Smile holds to some of the other young adult literature we’ve been working with. The story itself is very relatable and entertaining. Because it is in this comic-style, you still have the character dialogue paired with narration, but brought to fruition is a very different way. I like that you are in the mind of this girl, and with all her thoughts and worries and hopes, you can react to her facial expressions and body language as well, because they are right there for you to see. It’s true that one may critique that having images provided is sort of limiting to the imagination, and that may be the case for some, but I’d also argue that because of the extra stimuli; the colors, the shapes—that you’re more engaged. It’s funny, in that way, to relive the trials and tribulations of the tweens and teens, especially being a girl myself.
As a teacher, this novel would provide me with many ideas for activities. It could also open a lot of topics for discussion for my students. We could compare and contrast graphic novels to the others we’d read, and talk about the benefits or hindrances to each. More personally, we can talk about bullying and self-image and about not conforming. At the age Raina is, my students may be able to relate to her struggles. As a more general activity, I could have them come up with their own comics about overcoming a tough time or how they dealt with being different. You can adjust the levels of depth for the activities or discussions for this novel. There are just so many options.
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Jan 30, 2012

Michelle rated it

I think that Smile was actually a pretty good graphic novel. I didn’t think I would like it when I first started reading it but it was actually very relatable. I am a bit embarrassed to say it but I had a very similar middle and high school experience. I think that reading Smile will encourage students to be true to themselves. Telgemeier made some very important comments on what people think about popularity, appearance, bullies, school, and family values. Like the protagonist Raina, many...more

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Jan 30, 2012

Erica Almerico added it · review of another edition

Although I am not usually a fan of graphic novels, I enjoyed Smile because it took my story is very similar to Raina’s. Being in and out of braces is a very relatable situation for many adolescent readers and though I am no longer in braces, there was a time that it seemed my mouth would be made of metal forever.

As a reader, I was pretty bored with the story because the context was a bit young for me. When I read a book I like being drawn in to the story. I wanted to feel like I was ...more

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Jan 30, 2012

Erin Durham-moore added it

Smile is a quick, fun read for younger readers who may be having difficulties with self-image and confidence that they can easily relate to. I found the book to be very quick and easily relatable on many different levels. I never personally had braces growing up, but middle school, drama, family, and friends can be relatable to anyone reading a novel. The band scenes, true. I’ve been there, you never know just how many muscles playing an instrument uses until your hands and your mouth feel as if...moreSmile is a quick, fun read for younger readers who may be having difficulties with self-image and confidence that they can easily relate to. I found the book to be very quick and easily relatable on many different levels. I never personally had braces growing up, but middle school, drama, family, and friends can be relatable to anyone reading a novel. The band scenes, true. I’ve been there, you never know just how many muscles playing an instrument uses until your hands and your mouth feel as if they’re going to fall off. With the dialogue and constant pictures, I missed actually reading the language that could have been present instead of the pictures for your eyes to see, it took away from the utilization of your imagination.
From the lens of a reader, it was a good novel. Not great, but good. It lacked the length and complexity of what I would find to be an engaging text. Smile holds enough appeal however, in the graphics and dialogue of a typical teenage girl, to keep you turning the pages. It’s over and done with so quickly though that you can hardly tell you’ve gone through over 3 years of her life within an hour or so of reading. The story of Raina’s life is simple and sweet in a cotton candy sort of way, leaving the reader with the happy ending every story craves. It reminds me of The Book Thief in the sense that you’re already aware of the ending before you’ve finished the novel. In the case of The Book Thief, the knowing keeps the reader in suspense wanting to know the how and why regarding what happens more than the domesticity and predictability of a young girl’s teenage drama in Smile.
As a teacher, I doubt I would teach this in my classroom. I would have it in my library, available for students to read, but only in the case of students behind and in need of boosting reading confidence would I teach Smile in a classroom, and even then it would be in a middle school setting. As an extra book for students to read, I would recommend it to readers going through rough times, puberty, and braces as an outlet to see that what they’re experiencing is normal in a relatable and easy-going format.
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Jan 30, 2012

Erin Rebecca rated it

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I was a little apprehensive about reading this at first. I have never quite been a fan of reading graphic novels or comic books or anything like that. Once I realized that this was an illustrated young adult novel and it had potential value for my teaching career in the future, I picked it up and started to read. I was glad I did!

As a reader, I was very surprised at how quickly I finished this book. It took me all of 45 minutes to read the entire thing! With that being said, I did re...moreI was a little apprehensive about reading this at first. I have never quite been a fan of reading graphic novels or comic books or anything like that. Once I realized that this was an illustrated young adult novel and it had potential value for my teaching career in the future, I picked it up and started to read. I was glad I did!

As a reader, I was very surprised at how quickly I finished this book. It took me all of 45 minutes to read the entire thing! With that being said, I did realize it is a book geared towards younger readers and pictures don't take as long to comprehend as words do. Still, it was fascinating to me how quickly I finished it. I liked the pictures, too. It was really cute to see a story that was illustrated, especially a true story (as opposed to an anime novel or something like that). It was hard for me though, when reading the novel, to concentrate on the words-I kept skimming through the pictures so fast! I caught myself a couple times and had to slow my pace and re-read a couple frames.

As a teacher, I don't know if I'd ever teach this book in the classroom. However, I plan on keeping it and putting it in my personal library for a student to read. I plan on teaching 7th grade and this book is geared towards students of this age group. If I knew of a student that was struggling with fitting in or having braces or anything that Raina talked about, I would recommend this book to them. My only qualm would be how fast they would finish the book (maybe). I think students have a lot of potential to relate to this novel and benefit from reading it.

This was a cute book. And like I said before, I'm not really one to read graphic-anything, so I was really impressed by this book. However, I don't like how short it was and I'm not sure that I would teach it in the classroom. I do think that students would benefit from this, thought. This book has opened me up to the world of illustrated novels. I've even heard that there is illustrated historical fiction and I'd really be interested in looking into that. I think for the students who normally don't enjoy reading, a graphic novel may be a good way to introduce those students to higher-level reading.(less)

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Jan 29, 2012

Emily Butler rated it

· review of another edition

As someone who does not read a lot of graphic novels I enjoyed reading Smile. It was a pleasant change to have it assigned to me. I read over some of my classmate’s reviews and saw that some of them have been assigned graphic novels in another class. This surprised me because I have not had one assigned to me at all. I enjoyed the graphics and the speed with which I was able to read it. In a little over an hour I finished a book that was very enjoyable to read. I think it would be a very helpful...more

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Jan 29, 2012

Madeline Cruz rated it

· review of another edition

This book was really, as another student put it, cute. I enjoyed the drawing and the quick pace of the story. Growing up, I loved Japanese manga comics, and this was a throwback for me.

I appreciate how this is a true story, and one that many students can relate to. Although I've never had braces, I've had some serious dental work that hurt and would scare the wits out of me when I heard the dentist speak ith my mother. The storyline, although short, packs in a lot of experiences that ...more

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Jan 29, 2012

Natalie Spindle added it · review of another edition

Smile
I thought Smile by Raina Telgemeier was a great read! I only recently got my braces off so even though I am 20, I could definitely relate. This is also the first graphic novel I have read in my life. The illustrations and layout had a very comic book/playful appeal. Having the novel in this format also made it funny, there were times when I laughed out loud. Raina’s story was an entertaining and easy read.
As a reader, I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. It took some getting used...more

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Jan 29, 2012

Lizf rated it

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Graphics novels and illustrated stories are not often considered 'true literature'. I've read a few over the years and feel this label is a bit unwarranted. However the ones I read were more targeted at an older audience so Smile was the first time encountering a graphic novel specifically aimed for the middle school age. The art style is reminiscent of the cartoons one finds in the Sunday papers and the story, while simple, is something many people can probably relate to.

As a reade...more

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Jan 29, 2012

Victoria Wilkinson added it · review of another edition

The book, Smilie, was an easy read. Also, I had never read a graphic novel before and I was very excited to read one. I was doubtful that I would like graphic novels because I thought the pictures would distract me and honestly thought the plot would not be able to develop with mostly dialog. Though I did not enjoy this book, I have changed my mind about the merit of graphic novels.

As a reader, I did not really enjoy this book. As I started reading about a girl with braces, I though...more

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Jan 29, 2012

Coral Bachen rated it

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Graphic novels are always fun for me to read – I finished Smile almost as soon as I picked it up! The quirky style and authenticity, not to mention the great illustrations on each page made this story a breeze to get through. I thought Raina was adorable and I cringed every time she was sent back to the den-ortho-endo-(you get the drift)-ist. I can’t believe she really went through all of those procedures!

As someone who had similar “friends” back in middle school, I understood what...moreGraphic novels are always fun for me to read – I finished Smile almost as soon as I picked it up! The quirky style and authenticity, not to mention the great illustrations on each page made this story a breeze to get through. I thought Raina was adorable and I cringed every time she was sent back to the den-ortho-endo-(you get the drift)-ist. I can’t believe she really went through all of those procedures!

As someone who had similar “friends” back in middle school, I understood what Raina was going through every time she went to bed. Preteens are brutal! Raina’s struggle to keep her composure whenever the girls criticized her is something I think all middle schoolers experience. I was so happy for her when she finally fought back; no one should be humiliated like that and she definitely gained my respect for standing her ground. I was bullied, too, and letting go of those cruel “cool” kids to find friends who didn’t care about superficial things was one of the best things I did for myself. Yes, Raina is still a young girl whose love interests change in the blink of an eye (and it wasn’t nice how she let Sammy down), but I think she is a strong protagonist in her tale.

I don’t think I would teach this book to an entire class. Instead, I might use it for a group project or suggest it to its obvious main audience: girls. Even if I had boys in my class who were undergoing dental procedures, I don’t think they would get as much out of it as girls would, especially at this age. That said, I think a lot of girls would quite like this because it’s a break from typical novels and it hits home for most of them. Some activities I would use with Smile are a book timeline and a writing exercise to change what happens (i.e. what if Raina never stood up to her friends in the end?). While I don’t think most boys would like this story because it has a lot to do with crushes and cliques, I could be wrong. The pictures and gory teeth incidents may attract them as much as a regular comic!
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Jan 28, 2012

Vinnie Marseco rated it

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This book was average I would say. Nothing really exciting or noteworthy. Since it is for young adults though I think it can relate to them well while they are going through middle and high school, as well as puberty. I found it kind of hard to relate myself to it since I never had a group of friends who constantly put me down while in middle or high school, and after a few days of having braces no one really cared anymore.

As a reader, the novel was entertaining but a little boring f...more

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Jan 28, 2012

Daniela Diaz rated it

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I first began reading this story during Winter Break. It is actually a funny story of how I got it. So, I was going to Orlando for a few days and it was going to be a long trip, so I figured that beginning to read my books for class was a smart idea. I emailed my Professor and asked which would be the first text that we would be reading in class, she replied “The Book Thief” and "Smile". I went to Barnes and Nobles the day before heading out to Orlando and asked the worker for "Sm...moreI first began reading this story during Winter Break. It is actually a funny story of how I got it. So, I was going to Orlando for a few days and it was going to be a long trip, so I figured that beginning to read my books for class was a smart idea. I emailed my Professor and asked which would be the first text that we would be reading in class, she replied “The Book Thief” and "Smile". I went to Barnes and Nobles the day before heading out to Orlando and asked the worker for "Smile", because I had forgotten about the title of the other book (The Book Thief)when he began to direct me to the children’s section I was confused and even more so when I opened the book for the first time. I had no idea this was a graphic novel and couldn't help but laugh. Obviously, after seeing this book I decided to go to the FSU bookstore, the following day, before hitting the road and getting all my texts, since I knew I'd be done with Smile even before being halfway to Orlando.
Anyways, as a reader, I did enjoy this graphic novel, it wasn't life-changing or the best, but I did fine it very adorable and a nice read. I've never really been a graphic novel person, I mean I've read comic books and read anime, but to me it was not the same. I did feel myself smiling throughout the book because it really was a cute story, one which I was sure able to relate to; especially since I wore braces for a good 3 years and a half. I also found it interesting and loved the fact that this was the author's real life story; this made it much more heartwarming to read. It was nice to go through this journey with Raina and see the images along with it, the way Telgemeier wanted it. It was nice to see her grow up throughout those years and gain confidence in who she was. I also loved the themes of struggles, changes, braces, boys, and friends, all which are very relatable to a student, especially of a younger age, I’d say middle school.
As a teacher I would not mind using this book, especially if I can relate it to a more difficult longer text. I also feel that it is such a short read that my students will not want to kill me. I would not have it as main text though, obviously I do not think I would even be able to. But, as a teacher there are reasons as well. I feel like even though it does mention situations/themes that a student can relate to, there are other texts that do a better job at it. While this book can be beneficial to a student who is going through something similar and make them feel better about themselves, even make them “smile”, I do think there are books out there that would be much more life changing for the whole classroom.
Overall, Smile was a good and very enjoyable read, that I would recommend my students to read, especially to uplift their spirits. I feel like this text would be much more effective and great in a lower level class, like middle school or even 5th grade. It talks about issues that these students will be going through or are going through and in even though it can potentially be read in high school as well, I do not see it being as beneficial in a class. But of course, for anyone who is up to just reading for fun I would encourage this book because it is a very fun and sweet text.
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Jan 26, 2012

Brynne Accardi rated it

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When I first picked up smile I did not know what to think of it. I had never read a graphic novel, nor had I ever had the interest to. The idea of a graphic novel to me was an extended cartoon, which I didn’t even enjoy in the Sunday paper as a kid. As I read into the book I began to feel two ways about it. I kind of liked the idea of the graphic novel, it was like a cartoon, that I had to read. But at the same time I did not enjoy the feeling I got while reading it. I felt rushed and that the...more

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Jan 25, 2012

Stephen Tori rated it

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This was the first graphic novel I have actually read. I’ve seen them on friend’s shelves and I’ve been to comic book stores and have flipped through them but I’ve never sat down and read one in its entirety. That being said, Smile was very different from the graphic novels I have seen. The art was more like a newspaper comic strip than the more detailed art I normally see in comic books. It was also a fast read, but I’m not sure how this compares to other graphic novels. Personally, I didn’t ca...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Reading log #1	1	2	20 hours, 58 min ago
What do you think of the book Smile???	20	31	Feb 06, 2012 04:30pm
A summary about this book smile	22	26	Jan 22, 2012 02:26pm

title link	preview: Smile
avg rating	preview: Smile Goodreads rating: 4.16 (3673 ratings)
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