Smiling about Smile by Raina Telgemeier

When Raina was in 6th grade, she tripped and fell while racing her friends and ended up knocking out two front teeth.

Raina's mom rushes her off to the dentist and she has to wear something like a cast on her teeth for weeks. Except her teeth don't heal properly and friends start calling her "vampire girl."

This graphic novel is the true account of Raina's ensuing dental drama throughout her junior and high school years--surgeries, braces, head gear and all! Even if you've never had braces (which I haven't), this story has universal appeal. It's about growing up, handling difficult friendships, going to high school, making new friends, and learning to accept and understand yourself. Who can't relate to that?

This is a quick, fun read. The artwork is colorful and full of action. All the panels and action sequences have a good flow and you feel like you've read a complete novel by the time you finish.

As a budding artist, Raina decides she wants to become an animator after seeing Disney's  The Little Mermaid on the big screen during high school. She's now the artist of the Babysitter's Club graphic novel series for Scholastic and X-Men: Misfits. Smile began as a web comic and grew into this book, which she drew and wrote herself. She has plenty to smile about now! Visit her website at http://www.goraina.com/.