Frizzy

by Claribel A. Ortega, Rose Bousamra (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Frizzy is a heartwarming graphic novel about a young Dominican girl learning to embrace her natural curls. This refreshing read about self-acceptance and individuality is sure to resonate with many young readers.

Winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text
Winner of the 2023 Eisner for Best Publication for Kids
October 2022 Indie Bestseller

New York Times-bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega and star debut artist Rose Bousamra's Frizzy is about Marlene, a young Dominican girl whose greatest enemy is the hair salon! Through her struggles and triumphs, this heartwarming and gorgeous middle-grade graphic novel shows the radical power of accepting yourself as you are, frizzy curls and all.

Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up." That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have "presentable", "good hair".

But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tia Ruby—she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250905338
Publisher:	First Second
Publication date:	10/18/2022
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	204,688
File size:	77 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Claribel A. Ortega is a former reporter who writes middle-grade and young adult books inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she's not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic, and video games into books, she’s co-hosting her podcast Bad Author Book Club and helping authors navigate publishing with her consulting business GIFGRRL. Claribel has been featured on Buzzfeed, Good Morning America and Deadline. Her books include Ghost Squad and Witchlings, and Frizzy.

Rose Bousamra is a freelance illustrator and comic creator born and based in Michigan. Frizzy is their first graphic novel, and their solo debut graphic novel Gutless is also published by First Second. When they're not making or reading comics they love baking sweets and playing fantasy video games.

New York Times Bestselling and award-winning author Claribel A. Ortega went from journalism student, editing her classmates' often hilarious ads and ramblings on the back page of SUNY Purchase’s Independent Newspaper, to a small-town reporter, where she enjoyed going to board of ed meetings and texting the town mayors about the line at Starbucks.

Today when she’s not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic, and video games into books, she's co-hosting the hilarious and chaotic Bad Author Book Club podcast or helping authors navigate publishing with her consulting business GifGrrl. She is a Marvel contributor and has been featured on Buzzfeed, Bustle, Good Morning America, and Deadline.

Claribel’s debut middle grade novel Ghost Squad is a New York Times Bestseller and is being made into a feature film. Ghost Squad won Best in Middle Grade at the 2021 Ignyte Awards, was a Goodreads Choice Award finalist, and an International Latino book awards honorary mention for 2020. Her other titles include Witchlings (Scholastic) and the graphic novel Frizzy (First Second), winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text, with Rose Bousamra.

Rose Bousamra is a freelance illustrator and comic creator born and based in Michigan. Frizzy (with Claribel A. Ortega), winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text, is their first graphic novel, with their solo debut graphic novel Gutless also being published with First Second. When they're not making or reading comics they love baking sweets and playing fantasy video games.

Editorial Reviews

★ 08/29/2022

Dominican middle schooler Marlene tackles Eurocentric and anti-Afrolatinx beauty standards in this empowering graphic novel by Ortega (Witchlings) and debut creator Bousamra. Going to the salon for a blowout is “the worst part of the week” for Marlene, who has naturally curly hair. After a ruined blowout results in disparaging comments about her hair at her “perfect” older cousin’s quince, Marlene decides to make a change. Seeking a new look, Marlene and Latinx best friend Cam, who has wavy hair, look up curly hair tutorials on YouTube. But when Marlene struggles to follow the complicated steps, her self-confidence falters. To cheer her up, Marlene’s mother sends her to visit Tía Ruby, her mother’s cool younger sister, who unabashedly embraces her hair texture and helps Marlene to confront her family’s beauty expectations. Bousamra skillfully renders expressive and visually distinct characters, employing bright and cheerful coloring in pastel hues to sweetly capture touching moments. Ortega expertly examines themes of colorism, generational trauma, and toxic beauty standards via authentic, heartstring-tugging dialogue and Marlene’s pitch-perfect narration, culminating in a satisfying and heartwarming exploration of self-expression and self-love. Ages 8–12. Agents: (for Ortega) Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary; (for Bousamra) Tamara Kawar, DeFiore & Co. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text
Winner of the 2023 Eisner for Best Publication for Kids
October 2022 Indie Bestseller
A Junior Library Guild selection

"Marlene’s journey of personal growth will evoke catharsis and joy. An exquisite excavation of hair politics, family dynamics, and self-love."—Kirkus, starred review

"Ortega’s narrative shows the complex arc of Marlene’s emotional growth—from exuberance to sadness, self-reflection to empowerment—captured with aplomb in Bousamra’s expressive illustrations." —Horn Book, starred review

"Bousamra skillfully renders expressive and visually distinct characters, employing bright and cheerful coloring in pastel hues to sweetly capture touching moments. Ortega expertly examines themes of colorism, generational trauma, and toxic beauty standards via authentic, heartstring-tugging dialogue and Marlene’s pitch-perfect narration, culminating in a satisfying and heartwarming exploration of self-expression and self-love." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"In the creators’ graphic novel debut, themes of anti-Blackness, colorism, and self-acceptance are explored with ­nuance and honesty. The subject of internalized racism is discussed in a way that will resonate with kids and families grappling with it for the first time." —School Library Journal, starred review

"Frizzy is an intimate mother-daughter drama that sensitively explores the concept of so-called 'good hair,' a manifestation of racist beauty standards, as well as how such internalized anti-Blackness gets passed down through generations. Eager to value her unique identity, Marlene eventually learns how to advocate for herself, and her journey to proud self-acceptance is nothing short of joyful." —BookPage, starred review

"Frizzy touches upon the impact that hurtful beauty standards can have on children and how they can be perpetuated across generations, and an educational conversation on the connection between these beauty standards and anti-Blackness is neatly woven into the story." —Booklist

“A wonderful tale about what it truly means to have good hair . . . and a good heart.” —Varian Johnson, award-winning author of Twins

"I desperately wish I'd had a book like this when I was growing up. Frizzy is uplifting, affirming, and healing to all kids who love their curls. Curly hair power!" —Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of Valentina Salazar Is Not a Monster Hunter

"Through warm, encouraging collaboration, creators Ortega and Bousamra underscore and celebrate the joys of being "beautiful in your own way." —Shelf Awareness

From the Publisher

★ 09/01/2022

Gr 4–8—Every Sunday, Marlene and her mom visit the dreaded salon for a day of hair-pulling and the unforgiving heat of the hair dryer. Because her hair needs to look pretty for her older cousin's quinceañera, the Afro-Dominican tween has to go for a second round of hair straightening, otherwise she won't look presentable in her family's eyes. While the adults marvel at her cousin's "good" hair—straight and blond—Marlene doesn't understand why her curls aren't good enough. With the help of her like-minded friend and her forward-thinking aunt, Marlene embraces herself, inside and out. In the creators' graphic novel debut, themes of anti-Blackness, colorism, and self-acceptance are explored with nuance and honesty. The subject of internalized racism is discussed in a way that will resonate with kids and families grappling with it for the first time. Bullying and grief are some of the other issues addressed. Ortega's writing is pitch-perfect for middle grade; she gives Marlene an extra layer of vulnerability that tweens will recognize. Bousamra's candy-colored palette of pinks, purples, blues, and coppers makes this sweet coming-of-age tale even more accessible and welcoming. The characters' facial expressions and the dynamic panel design keep the narrative flowing. Readers with curly hair will want to take notes as Marlene's aunt teaches her how to style her hair. Marlene has brown skin, and her family members have a variety of hair textures and skin colors. VERDICT An excellent choice for all graphic novel collections. Give to those who are not ready for Elizabeth Acevedo's books.—Shelley M. Diaz

School Library Journal

★ 2022-07-13
Marlene, a young Dominican American girl, seeks to embrace her natural hair.

Sundays are the worst—they’re the day each week when Marlene’s mom brings her to get her hair straightened at the salon. It’s a painful, arduous process, but Mami insists it’s the only way to look your best in front of others and be presentable at events like her cousin’s quinceañera. Marlene is constantly bombarded with ideas about “good hair” and critical comments about her looks. Thankfully, Tía Ruby, with her abundance of natural, bouncy curls, reassures Marlene that straightening her hair isn’t a requirement for looking beautiful, which sets a fire in Marlene’s heart. With the guidance and support of Tía Ruby and best friend Camilla, Marlene embarks on a natural hair journey with her head held high. Ortega masterfully navigates topics like anti-Blackness and oppressive beauty standards passed down through generations. Bousamra’s eye-catching color scheme, dominated by soft shades of pink and blue, and expressive illustrations showing Marlene’s vibrant community are the perfect vessel for this story. An especially tender scene in which Marlene finally experiences a pain-free wash day speaks volumes about the healing themes present throughout this graphic novel. Marlene’s journey of personal growth will evoke catharsis and joy.

An exquisite excavation of hair politics, family dynamics, and self-love. (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews