Smile

The following text is from Wikipedia and other websites, including the Smile Wiki. Smile is an autobiographical graphic novel written by Raina Telgemeier. It gives an account of the author's life from sixth grade to high school. The book originated as a webcomic, which was serialized on Girlamatic.

About
Smile is a book about a girl named Raina Telgemeier, who after a race challenged by her friends knocks out her two front teeth. Raina has to go through a lot of dental work afterwards. Raina was an ordinary girl until one day, after a Girl Scout meeting, a friend's mom drives Raina home.

After a severe trip and fall accident, Raina has a nearly five-year experience with dental surgery and orthodontics. This occurs at the same time as the onset of puberty, peer relationships in middle school, and bullying.

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth, and 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. This coming-of-age true story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have ever had a bit of their own dental drama.

Raina takes us on a journey of a coming of age story. We learn about struggles and issues that normal teens face, along with struggles that Raina had to take alone.