![]() The story opens with his birth in 1918 and the giving of his all-too-appropriate birth name, Rolihlahla, “troublemaker.” The Mandela family was removed from its village by magisterial decree, the first in a long line of encounters between Mandela and authorities working to serve the apartheid state. In the foreword, Mandela writes that, for older readers “whose eyesight is not what it was, there is the option of simply looking at the pictures.” That good-natured remark is characteristic of the man. Since comics often cross cultural boundaries and enable semiliterate and beginning readers to gain easier access to texts, this could find an even more diverse audience. The original found millions of readers worldwide. South African revolutionary Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom (1994), adapted in graphic form. Irresistible, funny and touching-a must read for all teenage girls, whether en-braced or not. As an afterword, the author includes a photo of her smiling, showing off the results of all of the years of pain she endured. Readers should not overlook this seemingly simply drawn work the strong writing and emotionally expressive characters add an unexpected layer of depth. Young girls will relate to her story, and her friend-angst is palpable. After years of these girls’ constant belittling, Raina branches out and finds her own voice and a new group of friends. Her friends offer little solace through this trying ordeal, spending more of their time teasing than comforting her. ![]() This leads to years of painful surgeries, braces, agonizing root canals and other oral atrocities. One night, Raina trips and falls after a Girl Scout meeting, knocking out her two front teeth. Telgemeier has created an utterly charming graphic memoir of tooth trauma, first crushes and fickle friends, sweetly reminiscent of Judy Blume’s work.
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