The Saturday Issue focuses on the more visual books read here at In Libris Veritas; ranging from graphic novels to manga to game companion guides.
Source: Bookstore Stock
Publisher: Scholastic
Series: Smile #1
Edition: Paperback, 214 pages
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Purchase: Amazon/ Barnes & Noble / Book Depository*
*I receive a small monetary kickback from Amazon purchases
Rating: 4/5
FAMILY, FRIENDS, BOYS…DENTAL DRAMA?! A true story
Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girls Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached(!). And on top of all that, there’s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. Raina’s story takes us from middle school to high school, where she discovers her artistic voice, finds out what true friendship really means, and where she can finally…smile.
Hullo awkward years…I just want you to know I don’t miss you, even if I did willing read and enjoy a book about you.
Smile is a graphic novel about those really awkward years that take place in middle school and the beginning of high school. We’ve all been there…unless you haven’t, in which case you’re weird and lucky. Smile takes place in the 90s, which is awesome because it resembled most of my childhood and awkward years perfectly. You get the whole package here: the braces, retainers, acne, boys who are friends, boys you wish would be your ‘friend’, fake friends, and siblings that drive you crazy.
Smile takes those awful moments and turns it into something almost nostalgic. You get to see Raina grow up, learn to like herself and free herself from friends who don’t deserve her attention.I could totally relate to pretty much everything, including the stupid retainers and having braces…twice…I really wish this had been around when I was still that age because I would have given anything to know that I wasn’t the only one having a tough go of it.
It’s definitely a great little book that is really entertaining and highly relatable.
In Libris Veritas 
I know what you mean, ex-braces wearer here too !
Lol, I definitely don’t miss having to get them tightened and all of those weird rubber bands holding my mouth closed.