Frizzy by Claribel Ortega is a must-purchase for every elementary and middle school library! This colorful graphic novel addresses a very needed topic for middle graders: loving our natural hair (and other physical features).
AUTHOR: Claribel A. Ortega
ILLUSTRATOR: Rose Bousamra
SERIES: none
PUBLISHER: First Second
PUBLICATION DATE: October 18, 2022
PAGES: 224
GENRE: realistic fiction, graphic novel
SETTING: hair salon, home, school, aunt’s house
GIVE IT TO: ES, MS
AWARDS AND KUDOS
- 5 starred professional reviews
- Pura Belpré Award for Author (2023)
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY
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.
THE SHORT VERSION
Adorable! I loved everything about it.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT FRIZZY
Every elementary and middle school needs this book. The story focuses on Marlene, a Dominican American girl who has very thick, curly hair. Marlene’s mother, believing she is helping Marlene not be bullied, forces Marlene to get her hair straightened every Sunday at the beauty salon. Marlene hates this weekly trip and wants to just wear her hair curly.
How many elementary and middle school girls can relate? Probably many!
I loved how Frizzy takes time to show readers how to properly wash and dry very curly hair. Marlene’s aunt, Tía Ruby, teaches Marlene to care for her own hair and help its natural beauty (and Marlene’s) shine through. This is such a powerful message for young girls who may have hair like Marlene’s. It celebrates Marlene’s Dominican heritage as special and beautiful.
Readers with straight hair, like myself, can still enjoy this book. Frizzy shows how Marlene gets bullied for her curls and how it hurts her emotionally when other students throw objects in her hair and make fun of her. Seeing Marlene’s perspective may help readers become more sensitive to the hurt they can cause.
But readers with straight hair will still identify with Marlene. No matter how straight or curly one’s hair is, it’s so easy to hate our own hair. As a kid, I would have loved to have curly hair! Or blonde hair! Or bangs! Or no bangs! As an adult, I’d love to not have any gray hairs peeking through since my 20s. The point is, it’s a rare girl or boy or woman or man who absolutely loves their own hair. The same can be said of eye color, skin color, nose size, lip thickness, eyelash length, presence or absence of freckles…and on and on.
So Frizzy is about Marlene’s biracial curls – her “frizz” – but I say any reader can relate.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT FRIZZY
I loved the whole book! No complaints from me.
DIVERSITY
Marlene, her mother, and her aunt are Dominican American with dark hair and brown skin.
ARTWORK/ILLUSTRATIONS
The illustrations are absolutely adorable! I love the facial expressions and colors (pinks, purples, browns) especially.
THEMES
middle school, bullying, natural hair vs. straightening, colorism, self-love, discrimination, anti-Blackness, toxic beauty standards
LIBRARIANS WILL WANT TO KNOW
Would adults like this book? Adults who like middle grade graphic novels (teachers, librarians, parents) will enjoy this.
Would I buy this for my high school library? NO – It’s too young for high school.
Would I buy this for my middle school library? 100% YES!
MATURE CONTENT
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: some bullying at school
Drugs/Alcohol: none
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