Judging by the enormous number of reviews by readers saying they wished this book existed when they were younger, I realise there must have been a need for this book to be written. I really thought the hair element was masking a greater message of self love and acceptance, which maybe it was, but I also see that the literal message of the book has validation within the Dominican community and quite possibly other cultures as well.

The illustrations are cute and colourful and I feel there would be other topics which would benefit from this style of aesthetic and message.

I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow, Frizzy shows the power of self love and acceptance coming before what others think of you. Marlene, a shy, young Dominican girl feels completely uncomfortable in the "good hair" that comes from Sunday salon trips with her mom. Of course Marlene cannot tell her mami how she feels, especially when it seems that everyone around her covets straight hair, and has no problems making fun of naturally curly hair. With the help of her best friend Cam, and super-cool Tia Ruby, Marlene learns to love her natural curls, and share that love with her Mami. Ortega takes on generational prejudice against afro-latino roots in a subtle way that helps younger audiences begin to understand history.

This is a beautiful graphic novel about a daughter and her mother. They have very curly hair and the mother is convinced that it needs to be straightened each week at the beauty shop. The daughter, Marlene, dreads this each week. Then her aunt helps her out and teaches her how to go natural. However, the mother may not understand.

I love the artwork! I don't have curly hair and so I had no idea the effort that it takes. This is also a story about diversity and acceptance. I believe the characters have Dominican Repulic heritage.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Claribel Ortega, and the publisher for the eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Marlene is a book loving girl who wants nothing more than people to accept her for who she is. All her mother cares about though is her "growing up" and focusing on school. Part of growing means Marlene has to straighten her hair every week and look presentable. Marlene hates the salon and loves her curls. Why won't people accept her for who she is?

I absolutely LOVED this book! As a girl with curly and frizzy hair (at times) it has taken time for me to love my hair in whatever way it decides to sit each morning. I think "Frizzy" will be an extremely positive book to every single girl no matter her hair. Although, I think it will be extra special to my girls with curly hair!

Here is a story packed with authenticity and higher-level thinking. Students as young as 2nd grade would like this story, but honestly there is a world of 8th graders that would like this too. Kids want to know how to care for their care and understand the cultural and political issues around hair styles. This book would be such a good starter text for many of those conversations.

Frizzy is a great story about how to love yourself and advocate for yourself. Marlene hates having her hair straightened at the salon each week. Her mom thinks straight hair is "good" hair, but Marlene knows her curls are beautiful, too, just like her auntie's. She tries a few at-home tricks my that don't quite turnout how she envisioned. With the help of her favorite curly haired auntie Marlene learns to do her own hair and develops a better sense of self in the process.

ARC provided by netgalley -thank you ! themes : diversity, curly hair, caribbean representation, growing up, family inheritage
5/5 - This graphic novel is such an important read for young girls with curly hair growing up with the society beauty standards. It shows us and the sweet Marlene how you should not let other people and their expectations dictate how you look and behave. Marlene's mother used to be bullied at school because of how she wore her curly hair - inhence, her own mother taught her to straighten her hair and that it was how she had to wear it in order to be accepted and beautiful. That is why Marlene's mother does the same with her daughter and go weekly in the salon to straighten their hair - because it is what she thinks her daughter needs to be accepted in the society. But Marlene hates going to the saloon and does not feel like herself with straight hair. Here begins her journey to accept her curly hair as beautiful and make other accept her the way she is, including her own mother. But is it that simple when generations of women learnt to behave the way society wanted them to - by straightening their hair, to look "presentable"?
I loved following this loving and complex family, the message this graphic novel sends to young girls with curly hair that tend to straighten it to pass as "normal", "beautiful". I loved that Marlene's aunt said "all hair is beautiful", because it is so true! I also love the way the story is made a little bit more complex with the family inheritage and all the arc about how difficult it is to unlearn what you have learnt your whole life, and the "anti-blackness" some Black people might have internalized.
I loved this story and the graphics, it is so comfy and colorful, quite cozy. Definitively recommand it!

Such a great book! I love the positive messages Marlene sends out. I love the friendship between Marlene and Camilla. I love that Marlene has to question her parent. We need more books like this!

Artwork is wonderful with expressive characters, pleasing color pallet, and easy on the eyes layout. The plot was good; rather predictable but very cute.

I was given the opportunity to read and E-ARC of Frizzy by Claribel Ortega, thanks to NetGalley. This is a moving graphic novel that tells the story of Marlene, a young Dominican American girl learning to embrace who she is. Marlene finds herself constantly teased and belittled for her wild, curly hair. Her mother forces her to go to the salon every Sunday to have her hair washed and straightened. Marlene then spends the entire week trying not to sweat, get rained on, or otherwise mess up here hair. This is quite a challenge considering how active Marlene is! Finally Marlene has had enough of fighting her hair and decides to literally let her hair down. She deals with even more bullying and ends up in trouble with the school and her mom. Her Tía Ruby is finally the one who convinces her that she is not ugly because of her curly hair. She teaches her how to wash and style and embrace her curls. In the end the three women; Marlene, her mom, and Tía Ruby bond over their curls and undoing the belief that straight hair is better, which has been passed down through the generations in their family. I loved this graphic novel and all that it stands for. I highly recommend it!

I really enjoyed this book. The graphics were on point, the story was engaging and the characters were fully developed.
I think this is a story everyone can enjoy.
Happy reading!

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC!

Well this was just absolutely precious. The art style, the color palette, the story, the ups and downs, the self acceptance. I LOVED IT ALL! I am really happy with the ending too (no spoilers!!). I am excited to buy a physical copy to keep in my classroom when this comes out.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. A great graphic novel about a middle-grade young girl who is tired of getting her hair done every Sunday and decided to love her hair as it is.

I dare anyone to leave this story without your heart literally bursting with joy...betcha can't.

Marlene has curly frizzy hair, at least according to her mother. Determined to slay the beast that is 3b-3c curls, Marlene's mom takes her to be tortured at the salon for hours each week only to walk out with a silk press and strict instructions not to mess it up. Not sure if you have ever told a middle schooler to not do something, but it doesn't normally turn out the way you plan. Inevitably, Marlene defies her silk press, and in turn her mother, to embrace her natural curls. The only issue is she has no clue how to do that. Then enters everyone's dream aunt, Ruby, to walk her through the process in the most heartwarming and self-affirming scene every girl deserves to read.

Needless to say I loved this. I am so thankful Ortega and Bousamra expanded the hair care scene to include every step, allowing girls with no Tia Ruby of their own to walk away with some hair tips self-confidence. Even though it is definitely geared towards middle grades, I will likely get a copy for my high school library!

Thank you to NetGalley and Claribel A. Ortega for providing me an ARC in exchange for a honesty review!

A middle-grade graphic novel about learning to love yourself. The colorful and dynamic artwork adds an exciting element to this heart felt story.

I really loved this book. I, myself, do not have curly hair, but if I did, I would WANT this book!
A coming of age, learning to love yourself graphic for tweens and teens.

As someone with naturally thick and curly hair who spent a whole lot of time blowdrying and straightening and generally trying to control it, I relate to and appreciate this book oh-so-much! The story will work beautifully as both a mirror and a window for readers. The color palette of the illustrations is unique, eye-catching, and appealing. This is a graphic novel I will absolutely add to my library collection and one I could see reading again and again. It has so much to say about accepting ourselves, being who we want to be, and our worth coming from who were are inside and not from what we look like on the outside. It also has much to say about the familial and societal pressures to fit yourself into a box that makes others more comfortable and accepting of you. I especially love the character of Tía Ruby and her ability to not only help Marlene, but her mom as well.

Story flows very well, characters are delilghtfully well rounded, subject is fantastic!! Also very informative on a number of levels). Timely, funny, and wonderful!! The art has a fresh feel and palette which adds to the uplifting feel of the story. This is a self-care story that actually cares for the real self. Wonderful!

First of all grab your tissues. You'll cry... a lot. It's an amazing journey through selflove. You'll read a hint of the origin of the hate of frizzy hair.
It's an healing story, to make peace with unhealthy tradition rooted in hated and racism.
I think lots of little girls learn to hate themselves in family and in school. I recognize myself when family member compares me with my cousin.
You should read this story for yourself, for your inner kid, to your kids. Be more like Tia Ruby, the cool listener, the part of the village to take care of the children.

This is a fantastic middle grade graphic novel. I loved the illustrations and the wholesome story of being true to yourself. You don't have to fit into the mold that everyone expects you to. This is a great conversation starter. A must for all libraries!