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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I liked this a lot more than I did [b: Smile|6393631|Smile (Smile, #1)|Raina Telgemeier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531595478l/6393631._SX50_.jpg|6582125], despite having had my own share of dentist woes and despite not having any siblings. And that may just be a question of taste; I prefer my stories to be character-centric and focused on the protagonist’s relationships, and this one checks both of those boxes.
The lens is firmly angled at social interaction here, and the resultant shots that we glimpse are an exhibition of the simpler things: sibling rivalries, financial troubles, family road trips, intimidating cousins, etc. All of which might sound dull, but this graphic novel makes for a fast and engrossing read, thanks to a generous amount of laugh-out-loud relatable moments. The absence of these elements in Smile certainly felt peculiar for an autobiographical work.
In particular, I must commend this book’s handling of the looming question of divorce. The kids are perceptible enough to sense trouble in paradise but not bothered enough for it to be an urgent concern or to spiral out of control; theirs was a refreshingly age-appropriate unperturbed reaction—something we don’t see frequently in middle-grade books, for unfathomable reasons.
Telgemeier’s narrative keeps switching between her adolescence and early childhood but these transitions occur smoothly and are rendered using different colour palettes, making it easier for younger readers to keep up. Her expressive art style serves to convey the emotional outbursts of children and teenagers hilariously and accurately, though I often found Braden Lamb’s colouring sub-par and more than a few panels are bare.
The lens is firmly angled at social interaction here, and the resultant shots that we glimpse are an exhibition of the simpler things: sibling rivalries, financial troubles, family road trips, intimidating cousins, etc. All of which might sound dull, but this graphic novel makes for a fast and engrossing read, thanks to a generous amount of laugh-out-loud relatable moments. The absence of these elements in Smile certainly felt peculiar for an autobiographical work.
In particular, I must commend this book’s handling of the looming question of divorce. The kids are perceptible enough to sense trouble in paradise but not bothered enough for it to be an urgent concern or to spiral out of control; theirs was a refreshingly age-appropriate unperturbed reaction—something we don’t see frequently in middle-grade books, for unfathomable reasons.
Telgemeier’s narrative keeps switching between her adolescence and early childhood but these transitions occur smoothly and are rendered using different colour palettes, making it easier for younger readers to keep up. Her expressive art style serves to convey the emotional outbursts of children and teenagers hilariously and accurately, though I often found Braden Lamb’s colouring sub-par and more than a few panels are bare.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Anyone with a sister can probably relate. Sometimes the story changes the time in which it is set, which interrupts the flow, especially since if there were any clues prior to the switch, I missed them. Also I felt like the bit about why the dad flew instead of taking the road trip with the family was just tossed in the story.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced