Young Adult Graphic Literature
As with fiction and memoirs, some of the most amazing, innovative, and progressive literature these days is in the Young Adult category. This spirit and energy are likewise in YA Graphic Lit. I sometimes think of this as Beyond Comics. Perhaps it is a return to what Winsor McCay tried to teach us in Little Nemo a hundred years ago (launched 1905, ended 1927): tell a story a different way, take advantage of the visual medium, use the freedom to borrow from all categories and styles. Enjoy!
Smile
Smile
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, and 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 with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.
This coming-of-age true story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have ever had a bit of their own dental drama.