As a library assistant with kids in their 20's, I don't read many middle grade or younger books anymore so I gave myself a challenge in 2026 to read more books for this age group so I can more easily help my younger library customers find great reads.
Raina Telgemeier is an author my daughter liked to read when she was growing up. My daughter has never been a big reader, but these graphic novels were ones she enjoyed so I started with Raina's books.
Raina writes from the heart and gets into the mindset of her young readers. In Smile and Sisters, Raina writes from her own experiences that include knocking out her teeth and all the orthodontia work afterwards to the ups and downs of having a younger sister while her mom, Raina and their kid brother go on a week's long road trip. I had lots of memories of family road trips (the only thing missing was a rousing rendition of 'I'm not touching you; you can't get mad!').
Drama, admittedly my least favourite of this trio, has a much more middle school vibe with characters dating. The book focuses on a new character, Callie, who find out, as part of her school play's stage crew that there's drama on stage and a whole lot of drama off stage too!
Fun and lighthearted, these stories are told with fun illustrations and some nostalgic bits for older readers like myself as Raina brings her readers into her very relatable experiences with humour and heart.
My Ratings: 3.5/4/4
Author: Raina Telgemeier
Genre: Children, Middle School, Graphic Novel
Type and Source: ebooks from public library
Publisher: Graphix
First Published: 2012, 2010, 2014
Read: January 3-13, 2026
Book Descriptions from GoodReads:
Drama: Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi, she's a terrible singer. Instead she's the set designer for the stage crew, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that comes once the actors are chosen, and when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier!
Following the success of Smile, Raina Telgemeier brings us another graphic novel featuring a diverse set of characters that humorously explores friendship, crushes, and all-around drama!
Smile: Raina Telgemeier's #1 New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award-winning graphic memoir based on her childhood!
Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.
Sisters: Raina can't wait to be a big sister. But once Amara is born, things aren't quite how she expected them to be. Amara is cute, but she's also a cranky, grouchy baby, and mostly prefers to play by herself. Their relationship doesn't improve much over the years, but when a baby brother enters the picture and later, something doesn't seem right between their parents, they realize they must figure out how to get along. They are sisters, after all.Raina uses her signature humor and charm in both present-day narrative and perfectly placed flashbacks to tell the story of her relationship with her sister, which unfolds during the course of a road trip from their home in San Francisco to a family reunion in Colorado.
Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.
Sisters: Raina can't wait to be a big sister. But once Amara is born, things aren't quite how she expected them to be. Amara is cute, but she's also a cranky, grouchy baby, and mostly prefers to play by herself. Their relationship doesn't improve much over the years, but when a baby brother enters the picture and later, something doesn't seem right between their parents, they realize they must figure out how to get along. They are sisters, after all.Raina uses her signature humor and charm in both present-day narrative and perfectly placed flashbacks to tell the story of her relationship with her sister, which unfolds during the course of a road trip from their home in San Francisco to a family reunion in Colorado.
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