Smile

By Stella, Age 11

Smile by Raina Telgemeier is a book I really connect with. Raina feels pressure to fit in. Every time Raina looks in the mirror, she doesn’t like what she sees. Constantly feeling like she hadn’t grown up. Then her “real” friends became her fake friends. I feel the same way. I am always nit-picking at my face. And school friends are a whole different problem. It feels like we are friends for a year, and then the next, it’s like we never knew each other. The character of Raina makes me feel like I’m not the only one struggling with school friends. At one point in the book, Raina is alone, and she doesn’t have any friends. But then she meets people who really care about her and accept her for who she is.

I am so thankful for all the real friends I have in my life. They encourage me to follow my passions, and they truly see who the real Stella is.

I am so thankful for all the real friends I have in my life. They encourage me to follow my passions, and they truly see who the real Stella is. Raina realized that her old friends were keeping her from being herself. This encourages me to find new real friends and cultivate the friendships I already have. In conclusion, Smile makes me feel seen. Remember…. Smile!!!