Page 6 - Behind The Smile - Summer 2015

Book Review
For more information about Raina Telgemeier go to www.goraina.com
SMILE
by Raina Telgemeier
••• Cordelia Moyse joined the Clinic’s staff as Director of Devel- opment and Communications in 2012. Her job is to raise money for patient care and treatment that is not reimbursed by govern- ment or insurance companies. Cordelia spends her time not only asking for money, but talking to the local community about the excellent services that the Clin-
ic delivers to its patients across Central Pennsylvania. She is responsible for: all aspects of the Clinic’s communications through the website and social media; the Promising Smiles Annual Appeal; organizing fundraising events like the Winning Smiles Family Golf Day; and seeking support from businesses and grant making foundations.
“I only recently became aware of Smile (published 2010) by Raina
Telgemeier when my 6th grade daughter Theo brought it home from school. Every year her school assigns a book for sum- mer reading which all students are required to read and then discuss on their return in the fall. Theo read it immediately in three hours but I was slower to pick it up as I am not naturally drawn
to the format of a graphic nov- el. Although it took me awhile to settle into “reading” both text and drawings, I became a great fan of this book.
Smile, based on the author’s own experiences is about Raina, who we follow from 6th to 10th grade, as she faces various dental and personal challenges. While her first encounter with an orthodon- tist is due to an overbite, more complicated (and often incom- petent) dental treatment follows after she accidentally knocks out her two front teeth. In the course of the book we see Riana, like any child undergoing dental procedures, experiencing fear, pain, disappointment and hope- ful expectation. We also watch her dealing with friends’ teasing, her struggle to be “cool” and her funny and inept attempts to find a suitable boyfriend. This is a book about the universal difficul- ty of growing up: becoming and accepting who one truly is rath- er than following the crowd or letting one’s outsides determine one’s ambitions. This may sound
a heavy theme for a graphic novel but it is told with humor and compassion. While Smile’s plot is largely driven by Raina’s dental treatment, the book
“This is a book about the universal difficulty of growing up: becoming and accepting who one truly is...."
makes it clear that there is more to Raina than these experiences and that they are only part of life. A useful reflection for teenagers and those who love them!
••• Theo Moyse-Peck I am 11 years old and am going into 7th grade. My favorite school sub- jects are math, history, music, and Spanish. I am very interested in American History and I also play piano and guitar. Out of school I am learning Latin and Greek. I like to sing, play soccer and hang out with friends. I have been wearing braces for 3 years. At the moment I am having a rest from them but will be starting treatment again shortly.
Smile is about a girl, Raina, who at the beginning of the story finds
Page 6 ___________________________ Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic ••• Behind the Smile eMagazine ••• Summer 2015