Smile (graphic novel)- by Raina Telgemeier

Telgemeier, R. (2010). Smile. California: Scolastic/Graphix
Summary
This graphic novel covers the first five years following the author's accident that resulted in the loss of her two front teeth. She has to go through tortuous oral surgeries, embarrassing implants, false teeth, and headgear. To make matters worse, Raina is going through the equally painful adolescence full of body changes, first crushes, and major awkwardness.
Review
Never before have I read such an eerily similar version of my tween years! I was awkward, needed braces and headgear and middle school was horrible! It wasn't until I grew out of the awkward phase did I realize that I was actually not that cool, which could have fooled me because I had great friends who treated me the way I treated them! This book is a great graphic novel that sums up the painful adolescent stage perfectly.
Genre
Graphic Novel
Reading Age/Interest Level
9-13 years/Tween
Similar Books
Amelia Rules series- Jeff Gownley
Dork Diaries- Rachel Renee Russel
The Popularity Papers- Amy Ignatow
Awards
Nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Published Books for Tweens- 2011
Boston Globe Horn Book Awards for Excellence in Children's Literature- 2011
Author Information
Raina Telgemeier grew up in San Francisco, and moved to New York City to study illustration at the School of Visual Arts. Her comics have been nominated for the Ignatz, Cybil, and Eisner Awards, and have appeared on the web, in magazines, and in various anthologies. She is the adaptor and illustrator of the Baby-sitters Club graphic novels, which were selected by YALSA for their Great Graphic Novels for Teens list in 2006, as well as ALA's Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth list.
Readers Annotation
Middle School is already full of changing bodies, first crushes, and major awkwardness, add embarrassing head gear and false teeth and you have a story that beats all.

Just as Long as We are Together by Judy Blume

Blume, J. (1991). Just as long as we're together. New York: Laurel Leaf.

Plot

Stephanie has always had Rachel as her best friend and she was someone she told everything to and did everything with, that was until Alison moves in. Now, secrets are kept from another during a time when Stephanie needs her best friend the most. This book touches on middle school angst such as, divorce, friendships, first crushes, and body changes such as weight gain and menstration. Stephanie and her friends are trying to keep with the never ending changes of their bodies, minds, and hearts and they know they will be fine as long as they are together.

Review

Awww..memories. This has to be one of my favorite books of all my tween years (and a guilty pleasure now). This book taught me and will teach other tweens all about body image, friendship, crushes, drama, and sexuality in a tween friendsly type of way. This book is poignant, hilarious, and truthful. Let's face it, drama always happens with friends and this is a great book that tweens can relate to and learn from. There are true friends out there and this books proves just that. There have been challenges to this book because of the references to sex and kissing, but I truly believe that this is an appropriate book for tweens.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

5th-8th grade/ Tweens

Similar Books

Are You There God, It's Me Maragret- Judy Blume

Here's to you Rachel Robinson- Judy Blume

Beacon Street Girls series- Annie Bryant

Characters

Stephanie Hirsch- The protagonist who is best friends with Rachel Robsinon. She finds out that her parents are separating and her father has a girlfriend, she is starting middle school, has put on ten pounds and started menstruating.

Rachel Robinson- Stephanie's best friend who is great at anything. She is an overachiever who like Stephanie, has started changing in more ways than one and she is hoping their friendship can last through it all.

Alison Monceau- The new girl who moves into the condos where both Rachel and Stephanie live. She is a free spirit who attracts both boys and girls. She doesn't mean to get in the middle of their friendship and will try anything to save it.

Readers Annotation

This book will tug at your heart strings as it teaches you about love and loss and the way that true friendship mends all holes.