Plot Summary: Raina, a 6th grader, is not happy when she finds out that she needs braces. As far as she is concerned, her teeth look fine. She gets this bad news and then something even worse happens. While returning from a girl scout meeting, she and her friends are fooling around and chasing one another when Raina trips and falls. This fall badly damages her mouth, and her two front teeth fall out! It's absolutely horrible. Although her mom rushes her to the dentist with one of the teeth in hand, things do not go as they hope. The dentist inserts the tooth and creates a cast on Raina's upper gums to try to hold the tooth in place. The other tooth has been pushed far up into Raina's gums and will hopefully come back down. Several weeks later when the cast is removed, the tooth immediately falls back out. This is only the beginning of Raina's mouth problems.
This story follows Raina through middle school and into high school. Her journey includes many of the things that most kids would expect-mean girls, pimples, and boys! Raina is also forced to endure various forms of mouth trauma over the years-all of the mouth pain that comes with braces, false teeth attached to a retainer, and problems with her gums. Not only does Raina have to deal with all of the regular social and emotional problems of growing up, but her mouth tooth situation as well. This true story about the author is one that tweens and teens alike can relate to.
This story follows Raina through middle school and into high school. Her journey includes many of the things that most kids would expect-mean girls, pimples, and boys! Raina is also forced to endure various forms of mouth trauma over the years-all of the mouth pain that comes with braces, false teeth attached to a retainer, and problems with her gums. Not only does Raina have to deal with all of the regular social and emotional problems of growing up, but her mouth tooth situation as well. This true story about the author is one that tweens and teens alike can relate to.
Format: Graphic Novel
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Braces, mouth trauma, friendship
Reviews: Great reviews by School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly.
Age Group: Grades 5 & up
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