Today community member Kim Bongiorno, a writer and blogger at Let Me Start By Saying, is reviewing a book she believes we all should read, and hosting a giveaway, too!
Over two years ago, my good friend Vanessa pressed a book into my hand, fittingly, with a big grin on her face.
“This is the one I told you about, that my friend Raina wrote. You’re gonna love it.”
She was absolutely right.
Raina Telgemeier’s Smile is a true story that starts with a routine orthodontist appointment in preparation to fix an overbite when she’s in the sixth grade. What happens next is an accident that sets off a series of much more serious dental needs over the next few years, including multiple surgeries, painful braces and headgear.
Mix this in with all the changes happening around her with her body, moods, friends, and even an earthquake, and you get a graphic memoir that’s both unbelievable and relatable at the same time.
Throughout the fun comic book feel and laugh-out-loud moments are quiet reflections on how Raina feels about herself and others. She grows while making decisions on which she should be spending her time with and what a smile is truly worth.
I think Raina’s story has been so successful, winning many awards and rave reviews, because we all have growing pains like hers. Whether you’re a parent or an adolescent kid, you can relate to her frustrations, challenges, and hopes.
Being confident is tough when you’re in pain, whether physical or emotional. Add onto that external forces, like mean classmates when you’re a kid, or judgmental people when you’re sharing your thoughts online as an parent, and the hurdles to happiness become even higher.
I love this story so much, think Raina’s book is so perfectly done, that I had to share it with you all here. I think it is an important read, something both parents and adolescents alike should devour. It doesn’t matter how old you or your kids are, I believe everyone can take something special from Smile, and that the story is timeless, touching, and comforting. A good reminder that we all deserve to smile.
I am such a fan of this book that I personally purchased two copies to give away here at The Mom Pledge Blog.
That’s right!
I will personally mail paperback copies of Raina Telgemeier’s Smile to two randomly drawn winners here on The Mom Pledge Blog.
Rules of the Giveaway:
1. In the comments section below, write something you wish you could say to yourself back when you were 10-18 years old. Make sure to leave your email address so we may contact you (it will not be shared).
2. You must be listed on The Mom Pledge Community page. Tell us what number you are in your comment.
3. Open only to residents of the Continental US.
Two winners will be randomly selected from the Comments section below on Friday September 14th after 5pm EST, and announced that evening.
Not required, but Nice to Do:
1. If you are on Twitter, please share this tweet to help spread the word:
I heard from @LetMeStart on @TheMomPledge Blog that @GoRaina will make me SMILE! #giveaway
Best of luck to all who enter!
Thank you so much, Kim, for sharing this book with our community and hosting a giveaway! And for all you do to support The Mom Pledge!
