Frizzy

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.

Publisher: First Second
Published: 10/18/2022
Pages: 224
Weight: 0.86lbs
Size: 7.95h x 5.60w x 0.52d
ISBN: 9781250259639
Age: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3
Point Value: 1
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 517650 / Frizzy


Award: Pura Belpre Award - Winner


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 08/29/2022
School Library Journal 09/01/2022 pg. 112
Booklist 09/15/2022 pg. 43
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2022
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2022 pg. 94
Shelf Awareness 12/09/2022
BookPage 10/01/2022

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.