Smile by Raina Telgemeier - A Quick Book Summary
By Lily | Published 16 December 2022 | Book titles and covers are affiliate links
Smile is a graphic memoir by Raina Telgemeier, a New York Times bestselling author and Eisner Award-winning graphic novelist. The book chronicles Telgemeier's real life experiences as a middle school girl, dealing with the aftermath of a major earthquake and the challenges of growing up, including off-and-on braces, fake teeth, boy confusion, and more.
Share this book summary with your child to pique their interest and inspire them to read the full story. With themes of friendship, self-esteem, and personal growth, this coming-of-age story is perfect for young adult readers who enjoy graphic novels.
“Weird...something happens when you smile at people. They smile back.”
The Plot: What the story of Smile is about
The story begins with Raina experiencing a major earthquake in San Francisco on her 13th birthday. She falls and injures her front teeth, which leads to a series of dental mishaps. She must endure multiple visits to the orthodontist, emergency surgery, and even off-again braces. Throughout the entire story, Raina is obsessed with her teeth and her desire to have a pretty smile.
Raina also experiences boy confusion, a term she uses to describe her crush on Sean. She struggles with her feelings for him and worries that he doesn't feel the same way. Raina also deals with the oppressive power of her orthodontist, who she feels is more concerned with making money than with her well-being.
In addition to her dental woes, Raina also has to deal with the normal struggles of middle school. She is trying to fit in with the popular crowd, but she also wants to be true to herself. She joins girl scouts, where she makes new friends and learns valuable life skills. She also joins band class, where she discovers her love for the flute.
Throughout the story, Raina's friends are there to support her through her ups and downs. They help her through her dental mishaps, her boy confusion, and her struggles with self-esteem. Raina also learns valuable lessons about friendship, self-esteem, and resilience.
The Main Characters: Who are they and what are they like?
Raina Telgemeier is the protagonist of the story, a normal sixth grader who is excited to start a new school year. She is kind, creative, and has a great sense of humor. However, her life takes a turn for the worse when she falls and loses her two front teeth. This sets off a chain of events that leads to her getting braces, off-again braces, and even fake teeth. Throughout the story, Raina's teeth impact her self-esteem and desire to have a pretty smile. Raina is a relatable character for young adult readers, as she struggles with issues that many of them face, such as body image and self-esteem.
Raina's best friend is named Kristi Demeester, who is outgoing, popular, and always up for an adventure. Raina wants to be just like Kristi, but she soon realizes that they have different interests and priorities.
Caroline Sawyer is a new friend that Raina meets after the earthquake. Caroline has a mysterious past and is struggling with Bell's Palsy, a condition that affects the muscles in her face. Raina becomes fascinated with Caroline's story and tries to help her overcome her insecurities.
Key Themes: What lessons can be learned from the book
One of the major themes of Smile is the importance of self-esteem. Raina struggles with her self-esteem throughout the entire story, but she learns to love herself for who she is. She realizes that having a pretty smile is not the most important thing in life, and that true beauty comes from within.
Another theme is the value of true friendship. Raina's relationships with Kristi and Caroline are tested throughout the book, but ultimately, they remain steadfast and supportive of one another. Raina learns that true friends will love and support you no matter what.
The book also touches on themes of resilience and perseverance. Raina faces numerous obstacles throughout the story, but she never gives up. She keeps pushing forward, even when things seem impossible.
Also, the book touches on the fragility of life and the importance of living in the present moment. Raina's experiences during the earthquake and her emergency surgery serve as a reminder that life can be unpredictable and that we should cherish every moment.
Why Kids Will Love Smile
Kids will love Smile because it is a relatable and funny story about the struggles of middle school. The book is a graphic novel, which makes it engaging and easy to read. The story is told through a series of panels, which allows readers to see the facial expressions and emotions of the characters.
The book also deals with real-life issues that kids can relate to, such as self-esteem, friendship, and boy confusion. The story is told in a way that is both humorous and heartfelt, which makes it a great read for kids of all ages.
Fun Facts about the Book and Raina Telgemeier
Raina Telgemeier is an Eisner Award-winning author and illustrator. She has also written and illustrated other popular graphic novels, such as Drama and Sisters.
Smile is a graphic novel memoir, which means that it is based on Raina's real-life experiences. Even the character of Caroline Sawyer is based on a real person that Raina met in high school.
The book was published by Scholastic in 2010 and has since become a New York Times bestseller and a beloved classic in the world of young adult graphic novels.
Smile has been praised for its narrative structure and story arc, which make it a compelling and engaging read. The book also deals with some dark themes, such as the lurking horror of Raina's dental problems and Caroline's past demons.
There is a scene in the book where Raina and her friends explore a dark cellar, which is a nod to the Baby-Sitters Club book "Stacey's Emergency."
Raina's friends and family make appearances throughout the book, including a cameo by her brother in band class wearing a tube top and mini skirt.
The book includes a list of "Terms of Use" at the end, which is a humorous take on the legal disclaimers found on websites and software.
Smile is a powerful graphic memoir that chronicles the experiences of a middle school girl as she navigates the challenges of growing up. The book's themes of self-acceptance, best friends, and living in the present moment are lessons that will resonate with young adult readers as they face their own challenges.
With its engaging narrative structure and vibrant illustrations, Smile is one of the best books in the genre of graphic novels and a must-read for anyone looking for a relatable and inspiring coming-of-age story.