Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Wed Nov 30 00:00:00 CST 2022)

Marlene, a young Dominican American girl, seeks to embrace her natural hair.Sundays are the worst-they're the day each week when Marlene's mom brings her to get her hair straightened at the salon. It's a painful, arduous process, but Mami insists it's the only way to look your best in front of others and be presentable at events like her cousin's quinceañera. Marlene is constantly bombarded with ideas about "good hair" and critical comments about her looks. Thankfully, Tía Ruby, with her abundance of natural, bouncy curls, reassures Marlene that straightening her hair isn't a requirement for looking beautiful, which sets a fire in Marlene's heart. With the guidance and support of Tía Ruby and best friend Camilla, Marlene embarks on a natural hair journey with her head held high. Ortega masterfully navigates topics like anti-Blackness and oppressive beauty standards passed down through generations. Bousamra's eye-catching color scheme, dominated by soft shades of pink and blue, and expressive illustrations showing Marlene's vibrant community are the perfect vessel for this story. An especially tender scene in which Marlene finally experiences a pain-free wash day speaks volumes about the healing themes present throughout this graphic novel. Marlene's journey of personal growth will evoke catharsis and joy.An exquisite excavation of hair politics, family dynamics, and self-love. (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Gr 4–8— Every Sunday, Marlene and her mom visit the dreaded salon for a day of hair-pulling and the unforgiving heat of the hair dryer. Because her hair needs to look pretty for her older cousin's quincea&1;era, the Afro-Dominican tween has to go for a second round of hair straightening, otherwise she won't look presentable in her family's eyes. While the adults marvel at her cousin's "good" hair—straight and blond—Marlene doesn't understand why her curls aren't good enough. With the help of her like-minded friend and her forward-thinking aunt, Marlene embraces herself, inside and out. In the creators' graphic novel debut, themes of anti-Blackness, colorism, and self-acceptance are explored with nuance and honesty. The subject of internalized racism is discussed in a way that will resonate with kids and families grappling with it for the first time. Bullying and grief are some of the other issues addressed. Ortega's writing is pitch-perfect for middle grade; she gives Marlene an extra layer of vulnerability that tweens will recognize. Bousamra's candy-colored palette of pinks, purples, blues, and coppers makes this sweet coming-of-age tale even more accessible and welcoming. The characters' facial expressions and the dynamic panel design keep the narrative flowing. Readers with curly hair will want to take notes as Marlene's aunt teaches her how to style her hair. Marlene has brown skin, and her family members have a variety of hair textures and skin colors. VERDICT An excellent choice for all graphic novel collections. Give to those who are not ready for Elizabeth Acevedo's books.— Shelley M. Diaz

Horn Book (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

In a graphic novel that takes on antiblackness and colorism, every Sunday Marlene must sit for hours at the beauty salon while her naturally abundant tight ringlets are styled into straight unfrizzy layers. Gorgeously emotive sunset- and teal-hued panels illustrate the passage of the seasons as Marlene unwillingly follows her mother into the salon yet again. Over time, Marlene begins to wonder if Mom is right, "that I can't be my best if my hair isn't straight." Marlene navigates the white standards of beauty entrenched in her Dominican family and which can permeate Latine communities, internalizing racist ideologies expressed in family comments: "You're lucky your baby's eyes are light." "Cara fina!" "Straighten your hair so you look more presentable." When school bullies target Marlene because of her hair, she takes a stand, which results in afterschool detention but also in a timely visit with Tia Ruby, who shows Marlene how to care for her curls as an act of radical love for Blackness and herself. 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.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Marlene, a young Dominican American girl, seeks to embrace her natural hair.Sundays are the worst-they're the day each week when Marlene's mom brings her to get her hair straightened at the salon. It's a painful, arduous process, but Mami insists it's the only way to look your best in front of others and be presentable at events like her cousin's quinceañera. Marlene is constantly bombarded with ideas about "good hair" and critical comments about her looks. Thankfully, Tía Ruby, with her abundance of natural, bouncy curls, reassures Marlene that straightening her hair isn't a requirement for looking beautiful, which sets a fire in Marlene's heart. With the guidance and support of Tía Ruby and best friend Camilla, Marlene embarks on a natural hair journey with her head held high. Ortega masterfully navigates topics like anti-Blackness and oppressive beauty standards passed down through generations. Bousamra's eye-catching color scheme, dominated by soft shades of pink and blue, and expressive illustrations showing Marlene's vibrant community are the perfect vessel for this story. An especially tender scene in which Marlene finally experiences a pain-free wash day speaks volumes about the healing themes present throughout this graphic novel. Marlene's journey of personal growth will evoke catharsis and joy.An exquisite excavation of hair politics, family dynamics, and self-love. (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Dominican middle schooler Marlene tackles Eurocentric and anti-Afrolatinx beauty standards in this empowering graphic novel by Ortega (Witchlings) and debut creator Bousamra. Going to the salon for a blowout is “the worst part of the week” for Marlene, who has naturally curly hair. After a ruined blowout results in disparaging comments about her hair at her “perfect” older cousin’s quince, Marlene decides to make a change. Seeking a new look, Marlene and Latinx best friend Cam, who has wavy hair, look up curly hair tutorials on YouTube. But when Marlene struggles to follow the complicated steps, her self-confidence falters. To cheer her up, Marlene’s mother sends her to visit Tía Ruby, her mother’s cool younger sister, who unabashedly embraces her hair texture and helps Marlene to confront her family’s beauty expectations. 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. Ages 8–12. Agents: (for Ortega) Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary; (for Bousamra) Tamara Kawar, DeFiore & Co. (Oct.)