Books like Smile

A warm, funny, and deeply relatable journey through the physical and social growing pains of middle school. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Smile.

nostalgic
empathetic
lighthearted
awkward

01
Sisters
Raina Telgemeier
A funny, deeply relatable ride through the claustrophobic chaos of family road trips and the complicated bonds of sisterhood.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- humorous
- relatable
02
Guts
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, deeply relatable exploration of how our minds and bodies react to the overwhelming pressures of growing up.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
- humorous
- relatable
03
Real Friends
Shannon Hale
A deeply validating, emotionally honest exploration of the roller coaster of childhood friendships and the quest to find where you truly belong.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
- relatable
- self-acceptance
04
Best Friends
Shannon Hale
A deeply relatable, visually expressive journey through the emotional rollercoaster of middle school social politics.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
05
Becoming Brianna
Terri Libenson
An earnest, briskly paced graphic novel that captures the anxiety of a looming milestone and the messy, rewarding process of finding your true friends.
Shares:
- earnest
- relatable
06
Awkward
Svetlana Chmakova
A warm, deeply relatable dive into the chaotic, anxiety-inducing, and ultimately rewarding world of middle school friendships.
Shares:
- empathetic
- lighthearted
- earnest
- humorous
07
El Deafo
Cece Bell
A warm, funny, and deeply relatable graphic memoir about turning what makes you different into your greatest superpower.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- empathetic
- earnest
- humorous
08
All's faire in middle school
Victoria Jamieson
A warm, visually engaging exploration of the awkward clash between a quirky, theatrical family life and the harsh realities of public middle school.
Shares:
- empathetic
- awkward
- earnest
- humorous
09
Making friends
Kristen Gudsnuk
A chaotic, colorful, and deeply relatable magical romp through the awkward transitions of middle school.
Shares:
- earnest
- humorous
- relatable
- middle school awkwardness
10
Imogene's Antlers
David Small · 1987
A delightfully deadpan exploration of waking up different and deciding to just roll with it.
Shares:
- lighthearted
- self-acceptance
11
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Jeff Kinney
A hilarious, highly visual survival guide to the everyday humiliations of middle school.
Shares:
- lighthearted
- awkward
- humorous
12
Nat Enough
Maria Scrivan
An earnest and encouraging graphic novel about surviving a friendship breakup and discovering that you are already exactly who you need to be.
Shares:
- earnest
- relatable
- self-acceptance

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