1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Telgemeier, R. (2020). Smile. New York: Graphix. ISBN 978-1338740264.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Raina dreams about living an ordinary
sixth-grade life. During Girl Scouts Raina experiences a severe accident which
damages her two front teeth when she trips and falls. Raina endures a prolonged dental process
which includes multiple surgeries and braces and headgear and a retainer with
artificial teeth. Raina faces a difficult time because she must handle both her
changing appearance and a major earthquake and boy-related confusion and fake
friendships. Readers experience the pain of tooth loss and social rejection and
the happiness of self-discovery because of Raina's struggles. Raina learns to
accept her genuine smile in all ways while discovering genuine confidence and
true friendship and personal development.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Smile tells the story of adolescence
through humorous and truthful illustrations of growing up. Readers immediately
feel connected to Raina because she presents as a character who is deeply relatable. The dental problems Raina faces
function as both actual barriers and metaphors for her need to be herself while
remaining part of her social group. Through her clear perspective and strong
narrative voice Telgemeier creates an authentic and welcoming environment for
readers to experience Raina's world. The story’s basic locations of school and
home and orthodontist offices become alive through illustrations which both
depict physical spaces and emotional states. The story explores perseverance
and self-acceptance and friendship as core themes which lead to Raina's
rewarding emotional development. Her journey is believable and engaging, with
each setback pushing her closer to discovering who she truly is. The author's
playful style, paired with impactful visual storytelling, makes this graphic
memoir a powerful and accessible choice for middle-grade readers.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
- Kirkus Reviews: “Irresistible, funny, and
touching.”
- Booklist: “One of the most widely loved
kids' graphic novels in recent history.”
- The New York Times: “It hits home partly because
there is nothing else out there like it.”
- Awards: Will Eisner Comic Industry
Award Winner, Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, Vermont Golden Dome Book
Award Winner
5. CONNECTIONS
- Students can create their own
short graphic memoir panels about a personal experience that taught them a
life lesson.
- Great for classroom discussions
on topics like self-esteem, peer relationships, and resilience.
- Pair with Telgemeier’s Sisters
and Guts for a thematic unit on growing up and family dynamics.
- Use in SEL lessons to explore how
young people process change, anxiety, and personal growth.
- Invite students to compare
Raina’s story to Beverly Cleary’s Ramona series or Cece Bell’s El
Deafo for additional perspectives on childhood challenges and
empowerment.
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fajardo, K. (2022). Miss Quinces. New York: Graphix. ISBN
978-1338535594.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The summer camp experience Sue had
envisioned with her friends creating comics becomes impossible because her
family embarks on a Honduras vacation. Sue's world takes a turn for the worse
when her mother reveals the unwanted news about Sue's upcoming quinceañera. Sue
finds it completely unacceptable to wear a frilly outfit while participating in
customs which do not align with her cultural background. Sue starts to understand the importance of
her cultural traditions by spending time with her family members, particularly
her grandmother whom she loves. After her abuela passes away Sue gains the
power to celebrate life in her own manner while understanding that tradition
does not force her to lose her individuality.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The graphic novel Miss Quinces
presents an emotional portrayal of cultural identity development through its
exploration of family obligations and personal growth. The story maintains a
realistic tone that accurately represents the genuine conflicts people experience
between personal needs and cultural customs. Sue's resistance to her
quinceañera seems genuine and her development throughout the narrative brings
emotional strength. Sue's bond with her abuela forms the story's core element
as it brings laughter and love before transforming into sadness that leads to
personal transformation. The Honduran landscape appears vividly in the
illustrations through truck rides along bumpy roads and lively family events in
rural areas. Through his vivid coloring and dynamic drawing Sue's emotional
state matches the scenery which becomes alive in each panel. The graphic
storytelling approach maintains audience engagement through a mix of humor and
heartfelt expression. The book uses blue font for Spanish text and black font
for English to demonstrate bilingual identity fluidity while Sue gains
confidence in both languages. The story teaches readers to maintain their
authenticity by exploring their cultural identity. Sue evolves into her
authentic self instead of transforming into a different person.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
- ★ School Library Journal: “With all of the charm of Raina
Telgemeier and Lucy Knisley’s works... will especially resonate with
readers from bicultural communities.”
- ★ The Horn Book: “Fajardo’s expressive use of line, and color
palette of cool blues and pinks convey the complexity... of Sue’s
feelings.”
- Booklist: “Fajardo’s colorful artwork is
lively, full of emotion... will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jen
Wang.”
- Publishers Weekly: “A sympathetic look at a girl
learning that she can be herself and still cherish family tradition.”
- Awards: National Indie Bestseller, ALA
Best Graphic Novel for Children, NPR Books We Love, Horn Book Best Book of
the Year
5. CONNECTIONS
- Pair with Raina Telgemeier’s Drama
or Sisters to explore themes of cultural identity and growing up.
- Students can research and present
different cultural coming-of-age ceremonies, comparing similarities and
differences.
- A classroom activity could
include students writing and illustrating their own “mini graphic memoirs”
centered around a family tradition or moment of self-discovery.
- Readers could also reflect on the
use of bilingual dialogue and discuss how it shapes character identity and
voice.
- Follow up with discussions on
intergenerational relationships and the importance of listening to elder
voices.
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Soontornvat, C. (2022). The Tryout. Ill. by Joanna Cacao. New York:
Graphix. ISBN 978-1338741261.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Christina has always been different from
the rest of the students at school because Christina is Thai American. Her best
friend, and Megan is Iranian American
but they both want to belong. The cheerleading squad becomes the ideal
opportunity for the girls to gain acceptance from their peers. Christina faces
two major challenges during tryouts as she needs to overcome both her fear of
failing and her changing sense of identity and friendships. The initial pursuit
of popularity transforms into a journey that helps Christina discover herself
while strengthening her cultural identity and understanding that staying true to
oneself is the greatest achievement.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This middle grade graphic memoir
stands out through its authentic storytelling and heartfelt content and
meaningful lessons. Readers will identify strongly with Christina because they
can connect to her fears and hopes along with her inner struggles that match
their own middle school emotions, past or present. The story shows both the exhilaration and
tension of important seventh-grade moments including cheerleading tryouts and
changing relationships. The audience genuinely supports Christina's journey
toward squad membership and her understanding of her intrinsic value. Through
her authentic storytelling Soontornvat combines humor with honesty to create a
narrative which displays both her weaknesses and her strength. The story
organically weaves together themes about belonging and identity alongside
internalized pressure as it explores racism in both explicit and subtle ways.
The illustrations by Joanna Cacao play an essential role in establishing tone
by employing vibrant colors and expressive facial expressions and symbolic
visual elements (sparkly cheerleader backgrounds and shadowy self-doubt scenes)
which reflect Christina's emotional state. The authentic feel of the story
results from its consistent point of view alongside distinctive language and cultural
references that include homecoming mums and Thai traditions as well as family
dynamics. Through this memoir readers learn that being genuine represents the
greatest achievement of all.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
- ★ Kirkus Reviews: “A funny, painfully honest look at a middle
schooler finding her way.”
- ★ School Library Journal: “Readers… will want to invite
Christina to sit at their table to share food, stories, and the secrets to
self-confidence.”
- ★ Publishers Weekly: “Nail-biting… fluidly injecting their
athletic pursuits with lively energy using bright color palettes.”
- ★ Shelf Awareness: “Cringe-worthy in the best way… an
inspiring and insightful graphic memoir.”
- Awards & Recognition: Instant #1 Bestseller, multiple
starred reviews, praised by The New York Times as “a captivating
middle-grade gem”
5. CONNECTIONS
- This book pairs well with Invisible
by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd for
units on identity, friendship, and middle school transitions.
- Students could write a journal
entry or comic strip about a time they tried something new or took a risk
socially or emotionally.
- Teachers can use this book in SEL
or diversity lessons to open conversations about cultural pride,
microaggressions, and building confidence.
- A group activity could involve
students designing a personal “badge” that represents their identity,
strengths, and values, just as Christina finds strength in her roots.
- The author's note and real photos
at the end make this a great text for autobiographical storytelling
discussions.
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alexander, K. (2014). The Crossover. Ill. by Dawud Anyabwile. New York:
Clarion Books. ISBN 978-0544107717.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Josh “Filthy McNasty” Bell
demonstrates his basketball abilities as a 12-year-old through his impressive
crossover and intense dedication to the sport. Josh and JB share all aspects of
their lives including basketball and school as well as everything else but JB's
new interest in a girl creates distance between them. Josh develops feelings of
jealousy and insecurity because he has trouble adapting to the changing
connection between him and his brother. The family struggles with serious
health problems affecting their father who played professional basketball
before his illness. Josh’s tale about rivalry, regret and reconciliation plays
out through rhythmic and emotional verse.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Crossover stands is a novel written in verse that has both emotional
depth and energetic force. Josh is an authentic protagonist whose voice unites
athletic confidence with poetic sophistication. The combination of free verse
with concrete poetry and basketball terminology creates a rhythm which
corresponds to the speed of basketball and teenage life. The family atmosphere
stands authentic because it depicts their mother who focuses on academics
versus their father who supports their musical talents with his love of jazz.
The story takes readers through Josh's experience with sibling conflict and
teenage life changes while his father faces a serious health emergency. The
story integrates themes about personal identity alongside brotherhood and
growing up and coping with loss. The verse structure enables readers to
experience Josh's emotional vulnerability through his internal thoughts and
visual effects are used to enhance emotional moments or dramatic actions.
Basketball definitions and rules that appear throughout the text provide both
humorous and meaningful insights to the story. When the brothers finally make
peace with each other following their father's death the emotional moment
creates a powerful yet uplifting conclusion. Through his voice Alexander
delivers a profound message about how life operates without a set plan while
demonstrating that success means more than winning.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
- School Library Journal: “Alexander has crafted a story
that vibrates with energy and heart and begs to be read aloud.”
- Booklist: “An accomplished author and
poet, Alexander eloquently mashes up concrete poetry, hip-hop, a love of
jazz, and a thriving family bond.”
- Bulletin of the Center for
Children’s Books: “Will inspire budding players and poets alike.”
- Awards: Newbery Medal Winner, Coretta
Scott King Award, #1 Best Seller in
Children’s Basketball Books
5. CONNECTIONS
- Pair with Rebound,
Alexander’s prequel, for a fuller understanding of the Bell family.
- Use as a mentor text for writing
poetry with voice, students can create “sports poems” or free verse
narratives about their passions.
- Compare with Ghost by
Jason Reynolds for themes of identity and overcoming personal challenges.
- Perfect for reluctant readers,
especially those interested in sports or music.
- Students can create a character
trait chart tracing Josh’s emotional growth across the book, supported by
evidence from the verse.
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