Smile

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after a Girl Scout meeting, she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey involving braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. The dental drama becomes the backdrop for her navigating the already complicated worlds of middle school and high school, complete with shifting friendships, boy confusion, and finding the courage to be herself.

This autobiographical graphic novel chronicles the universal challenges of adolescence through the specific lens of a dental misadventure. It explores the pains of growing up, from social awkwardness to the struggle for self-acceptance, in a way that is both humorous and deeply relatable. The story is a candid account of how to find your own voice and learn that a true smile comes from within, regardless of what your teeth look like.