Frizzy - Claribel A. Ortega

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

Bibliography: 

Ortega, C. A. (2022). Frizzy. First Second. 

Plot Summary: 

Tired of going to the salon to have her curls straightened every weekend, Marlene slowly learns to embrace her natural curly hair with the help of her best friend and favorite aunt.

Critical Analysis:

This middle grade graphic novel is a vibrant, sweet, and compelling story about being true to who you are even when there are pressures not to be. The artwork was awesome and I loved the panels including the main character’s vision of herself as a super hero. Marlene is a young Dominican girl who has thick, curly hair. Every week her mother makes her go to the salon to get it straightened so she can look more professional and “look her best”. Marlene hates every second of it and doesn’t feel like herself with the straight hair. She goes through a lot to try to figure out how to please her mother, not be bullied, and feel comfortable with herself. The messaging in this story is so beautiful, and one I think more people need to hear. Even well intentioned adults who focus too much on physical beauty standards can cause harm in the children around them.

Review Excerpt: 

Kirkus (starred review)

Marlene’s journey of personal growth will evoke catharsis and joy. An exquisite excavation of hair politics, family dynamics, and self-love.

The Horn Book

Ortega’s narrative shows the complex arc of Marlene’s emotional growth―from exuberance to sadness, self-reflection to empowerment―captured with aplomb in Bousamra’s expressive illustrations.

Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

Bousamra skillfully renders expressive and visually distinct characters, employing bright and cheerful coloring in pastel hues to sweetly capture touching moments. Ortega expertly examines themes of colorism, generational trauma, and toxic beauty standards via authentic, heartstring-tugging dialogue and Marlene’s pitch-perfect narration, culminating in a satisfying and heartwarming exploration of self-expression and self-love.

Connections:

Black History Month - February

A Genre Unit over Graphic Novels

SEL - Self-Esteem and Self-Reliance - Social Themes

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Big Bad Ironclad! - Nathan Hale

 

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Big Bad Ironclad! by Nathan Hale

Bibliography: 

Hale, N. (2012). Nathan Hale’s hazardous tales: Big bad ironclad! Amulet Books. 

Plot Summary: 

Map on endpapers.;Includes bibliographical references. Retells, in graphic-novel format, the history of the ironclad steam warships used in the Civil War, revealing facts about the ship's inventor, William Cushing--who pranked his way through the entire war--and other real-life characters.

Critical Analysis:

American patriot and colonial spy Nathan Hale continues regaling his executioners with tales from future history (because he got sucked into a book or something in the first volume--just go with it). Here he gives the story of the first armored naval vessels in the 1860s. The two most famous ones (because they were the first ones) are the Monitor and the Merrimack (renamed the Virginia), built by the United States and the Confederacy respectively. He describes not only their battles and ultimate fates, but also the long and challenging process of first convincing the respective governments to invest in armored sea vessels and then building those boats. The story is exciting and also has plenty of appropriate jokes sprinkled throughout.

Also sprinkled throughout is the story of Will Cushing, a man dismissed from the Naval Academy for playing pranks. When the American Civil War started, the Navy was desperate enough for officers that they took him back. He soon became a colorful, creative, and cunning naval officer. He had a distinguished career with many daring raids and attacks both at sea and on land, earning him the nickname "Lincoln's Commando." He was an inspiration for the Navy Seals.

Review Excerpt: 

Kirkus Review

Livelier than the typical history textbook but sillier than the many outstanding works on the Civil War available for young readers, this will appeal to both history buffs and graphic-novel enthusiasts.

The Horn Book

Readers interested in American history will enjoy these graphic novels... Comic panels of varying sizes enhance the real-life events and support the stories’ over-the-top humor... the writing is accessible and entertaining; author Hale’s style gives readers an insider-y, you-are-there-type scoop.

Connections:

Teaching Guide to Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales that would go with different subjects and questions to go through as you read. - https://cbldf.org/2015/10/using-graphic-novels-in-education-nathan-hales-hazardous-tales/

A Genre Unit over Graphic Novels

Nathan Hale's Drawing Videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC9jI5fC-zKXXAOQXG_Bxy_a3SWKFh6LB

The Tryout: A Graphic Novel - Christina Soontornvat

The Tryout: A Graphic Novel by Christina Soontornvat

Bibliography: 

Soontornvat, C. (2022). The tryout: A graphic novel. Graphix. 

Plot Summary: 

As one of the only Asian Americans in her school, Christina confronts both well-meaning ignorance and cruel racism, but in middle school fitting in is important, which is why she and her best friend Megan are both excited and nervous to try out for the popular cheerleading squad.

Critical Analysis:

The Tryout is a fantastic graphic memoir that will appeal to fans of sports stories and books about life as a minority and child of immigrants. The author does an excellent job of balancing hard moments with funny moments of levity throughout the story. Filled with beautiful full-color illustrations and centering a biracial Asian-American protagonist, I’m sure lots of kids will see themselves in Christina’s story.

Review Excerpt: 

New York Times Book Review

The plot alone is enough to keep young readers flipping the pages. (I held my breath when the final roster of cheerleaders was announced.) But like all good books about growing pains, this captivating middle-grade gem contains many moments that will resonate with young and old alike.

Kirkus (starred review)

This superlative graphic memoir is a funny, relatable, and genuine story of friendship and belonging. . . . The jokes, daydreams, and quips are delightful without overshadowing or diminishing the impact of [Christina’s] experiences with racism and exclusion. The attractive, expressive illustrations feature clean lines and bright colors. A funny, painfully honest look at a middle schooler finding her way.

School Library Journal (starred review) 

Soontornvat’s lived and emotional experiences come through loud and clear….Cacao’s manga-inspired artwork captures every nuanced emotion. . . . Readers of this empowering graphic memoir will want to invite Christina to sit at their table to share food, stories, and the secrets to self-confidence.

Connections:

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - May - (Iranian American)

A Genre Unit over Graphic Novels

A SEL Lesson over Life, Friendship, Racism.

When You Trap a Tiger - Tae Keller

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

Bibliography: 

Keller, T. (2023). When you trap a tiger. Yearling, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. 

Plot Summary: 

When Lily, her sister Sam, and their mother move in with her sick grandmother, Lily traps a tiger and makes a deal with him to heal Halmoni.

Critical Analysis:

The importance of oral history and sharing our stories is carried throughout this magical narrative. I am extremely grateful that this captivating and beautiful plot was created and can be shared to help cope with tragedy, glorify traditional folklore while expertly critiquing it as well, and pay tribute to the strength of our female ancestors. I love when I discover a new (or relatively new) release and that will become a timeless classic and standard on any childhood bookshelf. So just go ahead and buy a copy now and make a permanent spot for it. Absolute pure magic that will endure!

Review Excerpt: 

Kirkus (starred review)

Roars to life with just a touch of magic.

Booklist (starred review)

A heartfelt reminder of the wonder and beauty in our everyday lives.

School Library Journal (starred review) 

Deeply moving... vulnerable and mythic storytelling in the vein of Erin Entrada Kelly and Kacen Callender.

Connections:

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - May

Tigers in Korean Folklore - https://gogohanguk.com/en/blog/the-tigers-in-korean-folktales

Interview with Tae Keller - https://www.sarabethwest.com/post/an-interview-with-tae-keller-author-of-when-you-trap-a-tiger