"Smile" by Raina Telgemeier

Tying into my BSC Reading Challenge, I read Smile by Raina Telgemeier (she did the graphic novel versions of The Baby-Sitters Club).  I am quite surprised that I am finding it easier to read the graphic novels.  Though I don't enjoy them nearly as much as traditional novels, they are actually becoming fun reads.  Smile captured and kept my attention wonderfully.  Raina (the story it autobiographical, so yes, the character and the author have the same name) is not looking forward to getting braces but her situation gets even worse when she falls and manages to knock out one of her teeth and (ew) push the other one into her gums.  A good chunk of the book focuses on her various orthodontic woes but also deals with her middle school and high school years- old friends, new friends, first crushes, and just finding out how she fits into the equation.  This book was really sweet and it certainly inspired me to want to read Telgemeir's Drama. 

As I was reading, I certainly saw a lot of myself in Raina.  Though my teeth troubles weren't quite as traumatic as hers, I could totally relate.  I got my braces the fall of 2002.  I got said braces off in 2006.  In between I had surgery to expose two stubborn baby teeth that would not move on their own, had my wisdom teeth removed and had a lovely jaw surgery that corrected my under bite.  Needless to say, I am really glad all of that is finished (though it is kind of fun to show off the before and after x-rays).  Because of all of this, I was very intrigued by Raina's story.  However, I couldn't help but wonder if those that have gone through braces would be as interested in this book.  Besides the main focus being on teeth, I couldn't help but wonder if the setting would draw readers out.  I personally loved that the book is set in 1989 (my birth year) and is filled with references to Nintendo and The Little Mermaid, but again, these are things that have a personal reference to me.  I can't help but feel like some readers would be turned off by both the content and setting of this book (though I really hope that is not the case).  

I have done quite a bit of reading this year and have already been thinking about what might make it into my Top Ten of the year.  So far this one has a really good chance of being on that list.  I would highly recommend this book to kids that are going to be getting braces soon.  It does give a pretty realistic look into the process plus it's unlikely that their experience will be quite as bad as Raina's so that could possibly ease some fears.  Thanks, Nick, for recommending this book!



Happy Reading!
-Melly

Claudia

I find it interesting that when I was first getting really into The Baby-Sitters Club series, I felt that either Kristy or Abby were my favorite of the girls.  This was also during the period of my life where I thought I was like both of them because I thought I loved sports.  I realize now that I liked playing soccer and wall-ball at recess and enjoyed watching the Connie Mack World Series.  This did not make me an athletic person.  So my connection to Kristy and Abby wasn't really there.  As I've making my way through the books, it occurred to me that the books I remember re-reading the most were about Claudia.  Without realizing it, I think she had become my favorite of the characters.  I constantly re-read Claudia and the Genius of Elm Street, Claudia Kishi, Live from WSTO!, and Claudia and the World's Cutest Baby.  I loved reading about her various art projects (her junk food art show was amazing!) and her wacky outfits. I think that Claudia and the Clue in the Photograph even partially encouraged my love for photography.  I remember using my camera quite a bit after reading that book for the first time.  I think the closest I came as a kid to realizing that she was probably my favorite character was the year I dressed as Claudia for Halloween (I seriously think that is the only year I don't have a photo to document my costume), but that was because I didn't think people would get it if I dressed as Kristy.  It will certainly be interesting to see if I continue to stick with Claudia or if I begin to relate one of the other characters instead.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

And so it Begins...

Alright, here we go!  I am on a mission to re-read the entirety of The Baby-Sitters Club series.  My personal goal is to finish (and by finish I mean everything from Kristy's Great Idea to Graduation Day and everything in between with the exception of the Little Sister books and those spin-offs and the California Diaries) by the end of June.  I am still giving myself the entire year to complete my goal if needed though.  A few years ago, I decided I wanted to re-read the whole series again.  I didn't have any time limit set for myself and only made it to #47, Mallory on Strike.  I am really hopeful that I will complete the task this time around.  I have also signed up to do some BSC Bloggin' over on Sarah Miller's blog.  I won't be blogging about all of the books I read on my blog, but will have some posts up on her site.  Check them out.  If you are interested in joining my craziness, I would love to have you!  You can sign up (and keep up with my progress) here.

Happy Reading and a Happy New Year!
-Melly