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thefantasticalworldofsara's review against another edition
5.0
I nearly cried on the bus reading this; such an amazing story about how beauty standards are very white centered and how to come to terms with that and find beauty in yourself if you don't fit those standards.
The conversation Marlene has with her mom near the end is the part that almost got me because it was so honest and full of understanding
The conversation Marlene has with her mom near the end is the part that almost got me because it was so honest and full of understanding
kaththereader228's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
gracepickering's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
laura320's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bookph1le's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so hard. It made me cry, and I just kept wanting to hug it to me.
I'll preface this by saying that, though I am a white woman, I have hair that is very naturally curly. I've never faced the curl discrimination that people of color have faced, but I have always felt the weirdness of the anti-curl vibe. I know so, so many women who straighten their hair, but on the few occasions when I've straightened mine, I did not feel like myself, so I could really relate to Marlene on that score. I love my curls, always have, and it's always bothered me that curly hair is somehow seen as less-than. It's only as an adult, as I've learned and grown, that I've come to understand the anti-blackness that's behind this idea that straight hair is "good" and curly hair is "bad". Hopefully it goes without saying that this is just straight-up bullshit, and that hating on people because of their hair is gross and based in the kind of nasty racism I hope no one really wants to perpetuate.
I also loved what this book had to say about the confusing messages adults send kids all. the. damn. time. I'm guilty of having done this myself. Adults encourage kids to be themselves, but then do everything they can to try to chide kids into conforming. We tells kids they're beautiful as they are, then suggest that maybe they might want to put on another shirt, do their hair differently, apply a bit of makeup... I've been thinking a LOT about beauty standards over the years, and I am overjoyed to see books for a younger audience addressing this. I would love to see those standards exploded and to live in a time when people can just express themselves how they wish while being respected for the full and complex human beings they are. The book doesn't get into this, but beauty standards are such entrenched misogyny, particularly with regard to women of color, so it's past time those standards were seen for what they are and torn down accordingly.
Both the narrative and art in this book are so strong. The beautiful message is reinforced by the gorgeous drawings. I especially loved the care with which curly hair is depicted because I certainly did not see many depictions of curly-haired heroines when I was growing up. Many attempts I did see were perfunctory at best, so I very much appreciated the loving and detailed depiction of curly hair in all its glorious and varied textures.
This book is such a gift.
I'll preface this by saying that, though I am a white woman, I have hair that is very naturally curly. I've never faced the curl discrimination that people of color have faced, but I have always felt the weirdness of the anti-curl vibe. I know so, so many women who straighten their hair, but on the few occasions when I've straightened mine, I did not feel like myself, so I could really relate to Marlene on that score. I love my curls, always have, and it's always bothered me that curly hair is somehow seen as less-than. It's only as an adult, as I've learned and grown, that I've come to understand the anti-blackness that's behind this idea that straight hair is "good" and curly hair is "bad". Hopefully it goes without saying that this is just straight-up bullshit, and that hating on people because of their hair is gross and based in the kind of nasty racism I hope no one really wants to perpetuate.
I also loved what this book had to say about the confusing messages adults send kids all. the. damn. time. I'm guilty of having done this myself. Adults encourage kids to be themselves, but then do everything they can to try to chide kids into conforming. We tells kids they're beautiful as they are, then suggest that maybe they might want to put on another shirt, do their hair differently, apply a bit of makeup... I've been thinking a LOT about beauty standards over the years, and I am overjoyed to see books for a younger audience addressing this. I would love to see those standards exploded and to live in a time when people can just express themselves how they wish while being respected for the full and complex human beings they are. The book doesn't get into this, but beauty standards are such entrenched misogyny, particularly with regard to women of color, so it's past time those standards were seen for what they are and torn down accordingly.
Both the narrative and art in this book are so strong. The beautiful message is reinforced by the gorgeous drawings. I especially loved the care with which curly hair is depicted because I certainly did not see many depictions of curly-haired heroines when I was growing up. Many attempts I did see were perfunctory at best, so I very much appreciated the loving and detailed depiction of curly hair in all its glorious and varied textures.
This book is such a gift.
appaloosa05's review against another edition
I love this graphic novel so much!
It took me until my 20s to learn how to properly care for my naturally curly hair. I appreciated Marlene's journey, and loved the support of her Tia and best friend all along the way. The ending was perfect.
It took me until my 20s to learn how to properly care for my naturally curly hair. I appreciated Marlene's journey, and loved the support of her Tia and best friend all along the way. The ending was perfect.
blossominthebooks's review
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
simonisafangirlie's review against another edition
5.0
I love all the parts of this story!
I love all the parts of this story! I loved the art, Marlene, her family, and especially her friend Camilla!!!! The art on the cover drew me in but I stayed for the great story!
I love all the parts of this story! I loved the art, Marlene, her family, and especially her friend Camilla!!!! The art on the cover drew me in but I stayed for the great story!
kalypsowolf's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Nothing makes me wholesome cry like a middle grade graphic novel. This story is such a good example of generational trauma explained in a straightforward and extremely digestible way.
While I can't fully relate to the needing to straighten my hair to look "presentable" (read that with the biggest eye roll ever) I did deal with a lot of frizz from having wavy hair that i just did not know how to properly care for and honestly still don't if I'm being honest. I've just embraced the chaos that is my hair atp. I have people close to me who do have very curly hair and I've witnessed the struggle of them trying to figure out what products work for them when so many common tips and products really only cater to very straight, very white hair.
This is just such an important read especially for younger kids struggling to accept the parts of themselves that aren't seen in the typical western beauty standards.
And those illustrations? Beautiful.
As much as I love middle grade graphic novels, this did read a little young for me personally, but I'm also a 25 year old reading this so obviously that's a me problem.
While I can't fully relate to the needing to straighten my hair to look "presentable" (read that with the biggest eye roll ever) I did deal with a lot of frizz from having wavy hair that i just did not know how to properly care for and honestly still don't if I'm being honest. I've just embraced the chaos that is my hair atp. I have people close to me who do have very curly hair and I've witnessed the struggle of them trying to figure out what products work for them when so many common tips and products really only cater to very straight, very white hair.
This is just such an important read especially for younger kids struggling to accept the parts of themselves that aren't seen in the typical western beauty standards.
And those illustrations? Beautiful.
As much as I love middle grade graphic novels, this did read a little young for me personally, but I'm also a 25 year old reading this so obviously that's a me problem.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying