In-Store: Caribel Ortega & Rose Bousamra: Frizzy

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• A signing will follow the talk.
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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 can 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.

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Claribel A. Ortega (she/they) is a former reporter who writes middle-grade and young adult fantasy 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. Claribel is a Marvel contributor and has been featured on Buzzfeed, Bustle, Good Morning America and Deadline. Claribel’s NYT-bestselling debut middle grade novel Ghost Squad is being made into a feature film. Her latest book Witchlings (Scholastic) was an Instant NYT and #1 Indie Bestseller. Her graphic novel Frizzy with Rose Bousamra is out October 18th, 2022 from First Second.

Rose Bousamra (they/them) is a freelance illustrator and comic creator born and based in Michigan. Frizzy is their first graphic novel, with their 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.

Host or Publisher Books Are Magic