Author/Illustrator: Raina Telgemeier
Publisher: Scholastic Graphix
Grade levels: 4-5, 6-8
Genre: Biography/Autobiography
Special Attractions: Female Lead Characters, Teen Lead Characters, Social Issues
Synopsis: Family, Friends, Boys . . . Dental Drama?! Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night 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: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. (from the publisher’s site)
NY Times review
Graphic Classroom review (includes lesson ideas)
Departing the Text teaching guide
Awards:
WINNER: Eisner Award for Best Publication for a Teen Audience, 2011
WINNER: Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, 2012
WINNER: Maine Student Book Award, 2012
FINALIST: Children’s Choice Book Award, 2011
ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2011
HONOR BOOK: Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, 2010
Kirkus Best Book of 2010
New York Times Editors’ Choice, 2010