WEEK 7 Reading Across Media and Formats: "Smile" by Raina Telgemeier

Telgemeier, Raina. GRAPHIX, 2010.
Pages [232p.] [$9.95] ISBN [0545132053]

From Goodreads: "From the artist of BSC Graphix comes this humorous coming-of-age true story about the dental drama that ensues after a trip-and-fall mishap.

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 with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly."

Raina Telgemeier is the author of a number of BSC GRAPHIX graphic novels including, but not limited to, SMILE, DRAMA, KRISTY'S GREAT IDEA, and AGNES QUILL: AN ANTHOLOGY OF MYSTERY. SMILE is a standalone, based upon Telgemeier's childhood. As Telgemeier writes, "It's all true. I was in sixth grade when I fell and knocked out my teeth, and I have been dealing with the consequences ever since. I had braces, a lot of surgery, and a lot of awkward smiles as a result. The comic SMILE was born out of a need to get the whole experience down on paper, since I spent so much time telling people about it" (Source). Smile was a 2010 New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2010, a 2011 ALA Notable Children's Book, a 2011 YALSA Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens pick, and a Children's Choice Book Award Finalist (Source).

Admittedly I had never thought that I would read a graphic novel, however, after having finished this I am kicking myself for having waited so long to do so. I believe that, while quite humorous, the content of the story is one in which many readers can relate to (I personally can having experienced a similar situation to Raina when I was also in grade six). I wish that I had had this novel at that time to reassure me that I was not alone during such a difficult and awkward time in my life.

I believe that this novel will appeal to readers of all ages with all that it has to offer- enchanting and appealing illustrations, the narrative which flows easily, relateable characters and situations, humor, and so forth.

WEEK 2 Teens, Reading and Libraries: Readings

Snowball, Claire. 2008. “Teenagers Talking about Reading and Libraries.”Australian Academic and Research Libraries 39(2): 106-18. Available via Western Libraries from EBSCOhost Academic Search Complete.

-After taking LIS 9004 I must say that it was nice to actually see the process of conducting a study in action, especially when conducting focus groups ("Focus groups were held with high school students in order to gather data on teenage reading habits and their views on reading, libraries, and graphic novels" pg. 107)- I would have liked to know what sorts of ethics were involved in carrying out such research with minors as this was something that we debated a fair bit with our LIS 9004 final project.
-I thought that it was interesting that Snowball made note that, "... research suggests encouragement by any significant adult in a child's life can replicate the above mentoring effect of a family's reading..." (pg. 109). While I have always been a reader (if you give me the opportunity I will consume a couple in a day) I can't really say that there was anyone growing up in my life who I may have inherited this from. I'd love to see more research as to where children may develop their love of reading from.
-I felt that Snowball was almost confused as to why school libraries are more often used than public libraries are, however, I can understand why. Prior to becoming a post-secondary student, especially as an elementary school student, my class would visit our school's library multiple times a week to check materials in and out. As such, I rarely needed to visit my public library as I already had all of the books that I needed when I went home each night (the only time that I frequented my public library was when I needed materials for school projects and, even then, oftentimes I could find this information from my school library).
-I can understand why the student participant were confused as to whether or not the internet equated with reading- I think that it's one of those things that many of us take for granted and give very little thought to.
-Finally, I thought it interesting how great of an impact graphic novels had on these students. Personally I have never felt any inclination to pick up a graphic novel, but after reading this study I think that that is something that I will have to rectify.

Bernier, Anthony. 2011. Representations of youth in local media: Implications for library service. Library & Information Science Research 33(2): 158–167

-When I first started reading this paper I must admit that I was initially flabbergasted- I didn't agree with the suggestion that youth are often negatively represented in the media. However, as I read further into the paper and began to process it more and more I came to realize that that is often the case. Watching the nightly news I can only think of rare instances where there is a positive news story about a London youth (for instance, a youth putting together a toy drive for needy children/ families at Christmastime), whereas I can think of countless instances of youth being represented in a negative light. As I have said before, all cannot be held responsible for the actions of a few.
-I was also flabbergasted by the finding that youth are very rarely given a voice in the media- after all, who better but a youth to talk about youths? As we discussed in class, we, as non-youths, should not talk about our teenage years to teenagers (ie. "Back when I was a teenager...") as we are no longer on the same level that they are and we can oftentimes come off as patronizing or condescending in doing so- so why does the media do this?
-Bernier mentions, "Young people may also avoid a library populated with librarians and other unfamiliar adults because they might feel that all adults regard them antagonistically and with distrust" (pg. 163) and unfortunately I do fall within those ranks. For instance, I very rarely visit libraries on campus as, time after time, I have had a negative interaction with the librarians, them treating me as if I were stupid/ talking down to me, as if I am being a nuisance by asking them a question, and so forth. However, I visit my public library quite frequently, being on friendly terms with all of the staff, having worked alongside them in the past.