If you grew up in a household where Sunday mornings meant the smell of burnt hair and the rhythmic thwack of a Dominican blower, you already know the villain of this story. For Marlene, the protagonist of the graphic novel Frizzy, the hair salon isn’t a place of pampering. It’s a battlefield.
Author Claribel A. Ortega didn't just write a cute book about curls. She basically performed an exorcism on the "pelo malo" myth that has haunted Latine families for generations.
Honestly, it’s rare to find a middle-grade book that hits this hard. Most "representation" books feel like they’re checking a box. Frizzy, illustrated with incredible warmth by Rose Bousamra, feels like a long-overdue hug for every kid who was ever told they looked "unpresentable" just for existing as they are.
What Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega Actually Gets Right
The plot is deceptively simple. Marlene is a young Dominican girl who hates the weekly ritual of getting her hair straightened. Her mother, Paola, insists on it. Why? Because in their community, "good hair" is straight hair. Anything else is "frizzy," messy, or—worst of all—unprofessional.
But Ortega goes deeper.
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She doesn't make the mom a mustache-twirling villain. Instead, she shows us a woman who is also a victim of the same standards. Paola is terrified that if Marlene doesn’t fit in, the world will be cruel to her. It’s a cycle of generational trauma. It's about anti-Blackness tucked inside a canister of hairspray.
You’ve probably seen the awards this book has racked up. We’re talking the 2023 Pura Belpré Author Award and the 2023 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids. That’s not just hype. The industry recognized that Ortega was saying the quiet parts out loud.
The Role of Tía Ruby
Every kid needs a Tía Ruby. In the book, she’s the one who breaks the cycle. She doesn't just tell Marlene her hair is pretty; she teaches her how to take care of it.
This is where the "actionable" part of the story kicks in. It’s a literal guide to self-love. Marlene learns about "the crunch," about hydration, and about the fact that her hair isn't a problem to be solved. It’s just... her hair.
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Why the Art Matters So Much
Rose Bousamra’s illustrations are a vibe. Seriously. The use of color is deliberate—soft pastels and sunset hues that make the emotional beats feel heavy but reachable. When Marlene is in the salon, the panels feel cramped. You can almost feel the heat of the dryer.
When she finally lets her curls breathe? The art literally opens up.
The Conversation Nobody Wants to Have
Let’s be real: talking about hair in Latine communities is actually talking about race. Ortega doesn't shy away from the term "colorism." She shows how these "beauty standards" are often just a way to distance oneself from Blackness.
It's a heavy topic for a 10-year-old, but that's the point. Kids are already living this reality. They’re already hearing the comments at the fiesta de quinceañera or from their abuelas. By putting it in a graphic novel, Ortega makes the conversation safe. She makes it visible.
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Misconceptions About the Book
Some people think Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega is just for "curly-haired girls."
Wrong.
It’s for anyone who has ever felt like they had to prune away parts of themselves to make other people comfortable. It’s a book about boundaries. It's about telling your mom "no" when "no" feels like a sin.
Actionable Insights for Readers and Parents
If you’re picking this up for a kid (or yourself), don't just read it and put it on the shelf. Use it as a springboard.
- Audit the "Complaints": Notice how often you or your family use words like "messy" or "unruly" regarding natural features.
- Research the "Why": Look into the history of hair politics in the Caribbean. Understanding where the "pelo malo" concept comes from helps de-power it.
- Celebrate the Ritual: If you have curly hair, turn wash day into a celebration rather than a chore. Buy the good products. Take the time.
- Support the Creators: Claribel A. Ortega has a whole library of bangers, from Ghost Squad to the Witchlings series. If you like the heart in Frizzy, you’ll find it there too.
At the end of the day, Frizzy isn't just a story about hair. It’s a manual for reclaiming your identity in a world that wants to flatten you out.
Stop by your local library or independent bookstore and grab a copy of Frizzy. Read it with a younger family member. Start the conversation about what "good hair" actually means to your family, and be prepared to listen to the answer.