Frizzy

by Claribel A. Ortega

A middle grade graphic novel about Marlene, a young girl who stops straightening her hair and embraces her natural curls.

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.

Thoughts:

Frizzy’s mother has a ritual. Every Sunday, she takes Frizzy to the hair salon where they spend almost all day, as the hair dresser straightens Marlene’s natural curly hair. Marlene does not like this ritual, and often wonders why her natural curls are not considered pretty by her mother.

“Do you think she’s right? That I can’t be my best if my hair isn’t straight?” Marlene asks.

Frizzy, Claribel A. Ortega

Marlene embarks on finding the answer to her question. Wanting to find a different perspective than the one her family has given her, especially her Mom. She does this with the help of her friends Camila and Tia Ruby. Frizzy is a beautiful book about accepting ourselves the way we are.

“We learn things from our parents, who learn things from their parents, who learned that from their parents. It doesn’t make those things okay to believe…”

Frizzy, Claribel A. Ortega