Name (First Name, Last Initial)
Anna A
Age
11
Book Title
Frizzy
Author(s)
Claribel A. Ortega & Rose Bousamra
Genre
Graphic Novel
Drama
Realistic Fiction
What is the setting of the book?
The book takes place in the city where Marlene and her best friend Camilla live. It seems that most of the residents are Hispanic / Latino/a / speak Spanish.
Who is/are the main character(s)? What are they like?
Marlene Andrea is a 10-14 (probably 12) year old girl who has really curly hair. She loves the Super Amigas, a TV show. She also loves keeping her hair frizzy, but her mom won’t let her!
What is the conflict of the story?
Marlene loves her frizzy, curly hair, but her mom wants her to go to the salon every weekend to get it straightened. The salon is terrible for Marlene, and she wants her hair to stay curly, but she can’t stop going to the salon – what her mom says goes.
What was the conclusion of the book?
When Marlene visits her tía (aunt) Ruby, who has her hair curly, she gets some much-needed advice and sticks up to her mom. Her mom agrees to let Marlene’s hair stay curly since she curled it at Ruby’s! Then, Marlene realizes that her mom has kept her hair straight ever since her husband died, and she tells that to her mom. Marlene’s mom realizes that Marlene is right: wearing her hair curly makes her think of her husband. She even skips her own salon trip and lets her hair curl.
While reading the book, what were your emotions?
I felt Marlene’s pain! The writer did an amazing job conveying Marlene’s emotions in text, and the artist did a wonderful job conveying Marlene’s emotions in drawings. I felt sad when the bullies stuck tape in her hair, mad at Diana when she was mean to Marlene, and was rooting for Marlene the whole time!
Do you think the book had a moral? If so, what was it?
I think that it may have been “be proud of who you are” or something, because in the end Marlene’s hair turned out beautiful and it wasn’t fair she had to conceal it.
Star Rating
Selected Value: 9 (0 min / 10 max)
Why did you give the book this rating?
It was relatable to the max! Plus, I really loved the ending. It was complete, and super nice. I’m so glad even Marlene’s mom got curly hair!
What was your favorite/least favorite part?
My favorite part was the ending. I’m so glad that now the whole family has curly hair, including Marlene’s aunt! I was waiting for the whole book to actually read the part where Marlene gets to keep her curls, well, curly.
Would you recommend this book to others? Why?
I would! Frizzy is a really great positive story, because we all need some happiness!
How much action was in the book?
Selected Value: 4 (0 min / 10 max)
How much drama was in the book?
Selected Value: 8 (0 min / 10 max)
How much humor was in the book?
Selected Value: 4 (0 min / 10 max)
How much suspense was in the book?
Selected Value: 3 (0 min / 10 max)
Book Report: Frizzy