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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSSmile is Raina Telgemeier's true story of her own teeth, told as a funny, full-color graphic memoir set in San Francisco. Raina is a sixth grader who is about to get braces for an overbite. Then, one night after a Girl Scout meeting, she races her friends to her porch, trips, and lands face-first on the street, badly hurting her two front teeth. That one fall turns a simple plan for braces into years of dental visits, with root canals, headgear, and more kinds of dentists than she knew existed. On top of all that, she has to handle everything else middle school brings, like crushes, pimples, a big earthquake, and friends who love to tease her. Through it all, Raina just wants to look normal and feel good about the face she sees in the mirror.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Smile
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about Smile. Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book does a sixth grader just home from an accident laugh, "I look like I'm six again!!"?
✓ Answer
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
At home on the night of her fall, Raina sees the gap in the mirror and laughs that she looks six again. Mom watches and thinks, "She's in shock."
- First half
In what book does a girl in brand-new headgear suggest completing the look with Velcro shoes?
✓ Answer
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Raina clips on her new headgear and deadpans to Mom that they should go get her some glasses, a pocket protector, and some Velcro shoes. Mom reminds her she only has to wear it while she sleeps.
- First half
In what book does a younger sibling hug a girl under a table and pray as everything shakes?
✓ Answer
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
During the earthquake, Amara grabs Raina in a tight hug under the table and mumbles a prayer. Raina's narration says it was the first time her sister voluntarily hugged her and the only time she heard her pray.
- Second half
In what book does a girl shove a boy's gift in a drugstore bag under her chair?
✓ Answer
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
In the band room, Sammy asks where Raina was yesterday, and she says she wasn't feeling good and went home. He hands her a present in a drugstore bag, and she says she'll open it later and pushes it under her chair.
- Second half
In what book does a girl dripping sweat at a basketball tryout think she's doing pretty well?
✓ Answer
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
At the girls' basketball tryouts, Raina is told to drop and do push-ups, then falls behind in the drills and ends up soaked in sweat. She still thinks she's doing pretty good, but the next day her name is not on the team list.
- Near the end
In what book does a mom shout about negligence at a gum specialist's front desk?
✓ Answer
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
The periodontist says they didn't wait long enough for the Novocaine to work, and Mom is furious nobody asked her first. She tells the receptionist Raina fainted thanks to their negligence and says they won't be coming back.
