Winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text
Winner of the 2023 Eisner for Best Publication for Kids
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.
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BookPage Starred Review
Kids’ Indie Next List
Horn Book Starred Review
Publishers Weekly Starred Review
Kirkus Starred Review
SLJ Starred Review
A Barnes & Noble Bookseller Favorite
JLG Gold Standard Selection
2022 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Best Books of the Year
2022 School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
2022 NYPL Best Books of the Year
2022 Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year
2023 Pura Belpre Author Award winner
2023 Eisner Award Winner
About the Illustrator
Rose Bousamra is a freelance illustrator and comic creator born and based in Michigan. Frizzy is their first graphic novel, with their forthcoming 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.