(2) 4-6 Sicily Jordan had been excited about starting sixth grade with her friend group, the "Tether Squad" (including coordinated "outfits for almost the entire first month"). A last-minute redistricting plan means she has to transfer to Shirley Chisholm Middle School--without her squad. She's devastated and worries about making friends with a whole new group of people. Her "It's My Culture" presentation for class results in ignorant questions about her heritage: how can she be Black and speak Spanish? Is her family really from Panama? Sicily's frustrations are compounded at home, where her beloved abuela has become increasingly vocal about her dislike of her granddaughter's braided hair, calling it "low-class and poor and ghetto." While other family members and friends provide some support and levity, it's an opportunity to write for the school's online magazine that gives the biggest boost. In searching for topics, Sicily also begins to research her culture--and discovers that her biggest advocate just might be herself. Issues of colorism, culture, and immigration are skillfully discussed, and Sicily's journal entries introduce the rich history of Black Panamanians.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) 4-6 On the morning after Andy Zhou's grandparents arrive in Detroit from Shanghai for a six-month stay, his best (and only) friend convinces him to bleach his hair. "We're going into middle school. This is our chance to make a statement." The scheme goes wrong, however, and Andy is left with blotches of orange hair, making him the target of bullying at the start of sixth grade. Middle school brings other challenges: grappling with his social life, racial microaggressions, and his grandfather's worsening health, Andy develops trichotillomania, a disorder that causes him to pluck his hair when he feels anxious. Cheng draws from his own personal experiences in creating an introspective, believable narrator whose internal monologue is often riddled with self-doubt. Although Andy struggles to find his voice, he's keenly attentive, translating his observations into doodles that open each chapter. After a rocky start, things begin to look up when an unexpected friendship with his bully emerges as they bond over anime and their families' respective cultural beliefs and customs, and Andy's artistic gifts are noticed by a supportive teacher. An afterword provides resources on various related topics, including body-focused repetitive behaviors, eating disorders, and bullying.

Reviewer: Kristine Techavanich | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Steph Littlebird. "Our ancestors say / Our hair is our memories. / Our source of strength." Lindstrom's (author of Caldecott winner We Are Water Protectors, rev. 7/20, and an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe) authentic storytelling text explains the importance of hair--"Native/Indigenous peoples believe that hair holds strength and power"--and its connection to Mother Earth. An Indigenous girl is eager for her hair to grow. She tells us that her mom kept her own hair short because she was told as a child it was "too wild." Nokomis (her grandmother) had long hair, but it was cut off at the Indian boarding school she was forced to attend as a child. The text follows the girl as her hair grows longer and longer: "When Nimishoomis taught me / how to fish for the first time, / my hair was at my ears"; "When my baby brother was born, / my hair touched my shoulders." The intergenerational interaction of family highlights the idea many Indigenous families have that future generations can reclaim what was lost. The narrative's powerful ending brings this story to a satisfying, hopeful conclusion. Debut illustrator Littlebird (a member of Oregon's Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) captures the closeness of the family and the strength and determination of the protagonist in bright colors set against woodgrain-like backgrounds. Subtle visual cues in the characters' facial expressions enable viewers to distinguish emotions as well as depicting the beauty and honor long hair holds for Indigenous people. Appended with an author's note and a short glossary of Ojibwe words.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) 4-6 Color by Luke Healy. In this endearing and relatable graphic novel, Charlie has moved all around the world with her family. Now that her dad is retired from the Air Force, they are finally settling down in her parents' hometown. While starting from scratch--again--Charlie is determined to reinvent herself to ensure she makes friends. From new clothes to contact lenses to a new hairdo, she is ready to make an impression. Though her first day of middle school takes an unfortunate turn, ruining her perfect hair and outfit, a classmate comes to her rescue, and Charlie is able to salvage the day, even making some new "Curlfriends." As she navigates her new home and school life, she also struggles to reconnect with her father, who has often been away due to military­ duties. Miller's vibrant art is warm and inviting, with engaging details that pop on every page. Charlie's tween angst will feel familiar as she attempts to bury her individuality in order to fit in with her peers, ultimately learning that real friends will accept her for her uniqueness. Charlie's journey to belonging also includes learning how to deal with conflict when her new friends discover things she's been hiding. A welcome graphic novel with Black girl representation for middle-graders and middle-schoolers.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) 4-6 Tween relationships and identity development are the focus of this engaging contemporary graphic novel. It is middle-school picture day, and Viv is determined to make her mark. Motivated by the potential for online attention and inspired by an affirming social media influencer, she impulsively chops off her signature braid. The act--along with the newly styled haircut that follows--turns heads and boosts her confidence; she finds herself exploring different social connections and trying new activities. However, these new experiences and the attention they offer distract her from her loyal best friends and their long-term project to create a roller-skating routine celebrating a favorite fandom. After she pressures her friends to share their not-yet-ready routine publicly, and it does not go well, Viv is forced to reckon with the impact of her insensitive behavior. The bubbly, thickly lined illustrations showcase the characters' styles and electronic interactions (texts, social media posts, etc.) with panache. The tensions and resolutions are portrayed through heartfelt dialogue and with pacing that feels authentic for the seventh-grade characters and the setting. Recommended for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) YA It's a big summer for middle schooler Maggie: she is starting a braiding business with her best friend, Daija, and she will be meeting her half-sister, Callie, who is from the Bahamas, for the first time. Callie's mother recently passed away, and Callie will be moving in with Maggie's family in Jacksonville, Florida. While Maggie is welcoming to Callie, Daija is not so happy about this new sister, as she and Maggie are practically sisters. Protective of her friendship and their new braiding enterprise, Daija is not interested in embracing Callie and is determined not to be replaced by a stranger. However, Callie soon becomes the least of their worries as nemesis Angela and her crew decide to open a competing braid business and start to steal their customers. Is it possible for the three girls to overcome their differences and insecurities and become sisters and friends? Drama between the Braid Girls and the Sistahs Who Braid heats up as the competition for business leads to a memorable climax. A summer crush for Maggie lends extra excitement. Told through the alternating points of view of the three girls, the story explores themes of friend and family relationships, grief, bullying, divorce, and parental absence, all handled with care and sensitivity.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Carole Byard. This is a welcome reissue of a classic of early African American picture books, first published in 1979, for which Byard won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. A lengthy text by today’s standards, narrated by Shirley Ann, or Sister, describes the origins and the meaning of the cornrows Great-Grammaw braids in Mama’s hair. Great-Grammaw explains, in dialect: “A long, long time ago, in a land called Africa,” people represented the “spirit that lives inside of you” with “symbols of courage, an honor, an wisdom, an love, an strength.” Byard’s pow-erful black-and-white illustrations capture everything from the horrors of the Middle Passage to the sophistication of ancient Yoruba culture to the warmth of Sister’s family life.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Rose Bousamra. 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 Tía 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.

Reviewer: Lettycia Terrones | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(2) 4-6 Seventh grader Lotus Bloom marches to the beat of her own drum. She rocks a unique vintage style and a huge afro, and she is a gifted violinist who has been invited to attend a new performing arts school. Not everyone is happy about it, though. Not her best friend, appropriately named Rebel, who resents the new school for taking resources--and Lotus--away from the neighborhood middle school. Certainly not her classmate/nemesis Adolpho, whom she bumps from his position as concertmaster. Not even her mom, who feels Lotus should be thinking about a future outside of music, unlike her musician father who recently relocated to Paris. Worst of all, Lotus finds herself being discriminated against due to her hair, which threatens all of her hard work and her normally peaceful outlook. This captivating novel raises issues of racial discrimination, educational equity, and classism in an approachable way, inviting readers to consider multiple perspectives through the lively cast of diverse, multifaceted characters. Through the drama at school and in her family, as well as ups and downs in her friendships (with Rebel and new frenemy Mercedes), Lotus finds her voice as she learns to release herself from trying to manage the emotions and expectations of others.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2023

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts. J.D. is excited about starting third grade at Douglass Elementary School. At least he was excited before his mom gave him a disastrous haircut that makes him the laughingstock of the whole school. Unable to withstand any more teasing, he decides to literally take matters into his own hands and fix his hair. After using his little brother, Justin, for practice, J.D. realizes he is good at cutting hair and starts a barbershop out of his bedroom. Artistic by nature, and with skill and creativity, he attracts lots of customers, not to mention the owner of the only barbershop in town, Henry Hart Jr. When Hart follows through with a threat to shut J.D.'s business down, our protagonist has to use his wits to save everything he has worked so hard for. This early-to-middle-grade chapter book delivers lively black-and-white illustrations and laugh-out-loud moments. At its heart is J.D.'s loving, hard-working, multigenerational family and his close-knit, small-town ­Mississippi community. While there are subtle references to separation (J.D.'s parents) and money struggles (he sports hand-me-downs and gets his video-game and junk-food fixes at his best friend's house), these are not personal deficits. Rather, they fuel J.D.'s entrepreneurial spirit and his mathematical prowess. The African American cultural references and community values will resonate with readers of all ages, while the joyful, wholesome story will give them something to look forward to in subsequent entries.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Holly Hatam. In this playful and affectionate story, a Sikh father lovingly cares for his daughter's long, wavy hair every morning, combing, detangling, and styling her strands into braids and buns. When Papa fixes the girl's hair into a tight bun at the top of her head, it reminds her of his own joora, and she proclaims that they are hair twins. The two joyfully tap their matching buns together while proclaiming, "hair cheers!" A six-image sequence shows Papa putting his long hair into a joora, then a patka (cloth covering), and finally a turban. The girl eagerly assists him, always ready with a rubber band or even a toothbrush for beard brushing. Cheerful digital illustrations capture the realistic details of hair care combined with the more whimsical or metaphorical, as the girl's hair is shown as an ocean or a harp. An appended note explains that the book is based on the author's husband and child. A loving portrayal of a father-daughter bond that is strengthened over daily hair care, something that honors the characters' religion while nurturing their relationship.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) K-3 Translated by Cecilia Ross. Illustrated by Marta Sevilla. The copyright page says this story was the winner of a contest that "aims to spread equality in literature that promotes respect for identity and battles against stereotypes." Though its mission is clear, this isn't a didactic tract; our introduction to the grouchy blue-haired witch protagonist is: "Oh, for the love of STINKING SKUNK FARTS!" She didn't mean to turn her hair blue--though in Sevilla's illustrations, it's a beautiful balayage--and she decides to bolster her self-esteem by snatching a child. As it turns out, the boy is an amateur beautician, and his hair artistry turns the witch's frown upside-down. Bold-hued illustrations with eye-catching patterns and details enhance the enchanting tale, whose message is worn with style.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(2) 4-6 This semiautobiographical verse novel begins with eleven-year-old Chinese American girl Frances Chin witnessing an attack on her older sister, Clara, behind their school. (Frances herself has endured taunts centered on race: "you're SO SO ugly / open your eyes / he laughs with his fingers pulling / his eyes to make / them squinty.") But with passive bystander classmates and a mother who stresses maintaining family honor, Frances remains silent, internalizing her feelings. The one place she feels a sense of control is on the tennis court, playing with her friend Annie and eventually on the school's team ("I feel like I can / lift the world with / my racket"). After noticing some worrying behaviors (and hair loss) in her sister, she finds and ultimately reads Clara's diary, which reveals Clara's struggles with trichotillomania, also called hair-pulling disorder. In a heartfelt scene, Frances overcomes emotional barriers and silently reveals to Clara that she knows her secret. Themes of bullying, empathy, family, and identity are explored through Chang's spare prose. The author elegantly expresses Frances's complex emotions and provides an intimate portrait of immigrant lives. An appended note provides insight into Chang's experience growing up in an immigrant family "not familiar with mental health issues such as trichotillomania."

Reviewer: Kristine Techavanich | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(1) K-3 Shown wordlessly before the title page, our unnamed protagonist is in a sticky situation after falling asleep while chewing gum. Upon awakening, and after that unpleasant discovery, the child's ­gum-removal process begins, starting with scissors--which, whoops, get stuck to the gum, still in the hair. The ­narrator is offstage, but the advice is ­in-your-face, and progressively, hilariously, ­outrageous. There's an offbeat rhythm to the ­sometimes-rhyming text that, likewise, keeps listeners guessing. "We went on some websites. / And all of them swear / if you want to get scissors / and gum out of hair / you take two sticks of butter / and smear them along, // I see. / It appears that those / websites were wrong." The humor is in the page-turn (pre- and post-butter, for example); and the anticipation of what method the family will try next, shown in the unfailingly entertaining colorful and textured caricature illustrations centered on the wide-eyed child. Finally the kid has had enough--"STOP! GET OUT! Please," says the text, in bubble gum-looking speech balloons--leading to one of the problems being solved on this, a most important day. A rollicking cumulative tale that many listeners will want to choose and re-chew-se.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(2) K-3 Retold by Barbara Rogasky. Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. Hyman's iconic art, full of decoration and embellishment, has been "lovingly restored" (through digital means) in this welcome reissue. The hues are crisp and bright, with everything from the emotive facial expressions to the filigreed borders looking rich and vibrant. Some may prefer their careworn editions (and the "dark, brooding romanticism" of the art, as characterized by the original Horn Book review, is now somewhat less so). But this volume should be embraced, especially by those new to this retelling.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: February, 1983; November, 2019

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Colombet. Singer looks at hair and fur on different mammals, starting with a human baby. The book explores the main functions of hair and fur--including camouflage, warmth, and attracting a mate--and more specific functions of hair such as eyebrows and whiskers. With interesting facts, engaging writing, cartoon bubbles, and plenty of photographs, this will be enthusiastically received by young scientists. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(2) K-3 MacKenzie, teased for her "always a mess" hair, turns to neighbor Miss Tillie for help. The story strikes an effective balance between Miss Tillie encouraging self-confidence and explaining step-by-step self-improvement to MacKenzie. While many skin tones are represented in the soft acrylic illustrations, MacKenzie and Miss Tillie share a deep ebony color, contrasted with bright blues, greens, and reds in the patterns and backgrounds.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(3) YA Everything changed for Quinn McAvoy when she began losing her hair due to alopecia. But starting high school across the country offers her a second chance, and a brand-new wig helps her fit in. Friend's natural dialogue and candid depictions of disability--from Quinn's little brother's autism to love interest Nick's above-knee amputation--delicately elevate this story from issues-novel territory.

Reviewer: Robyn Bahr

(3) PS Illustrated by Amariah Rauscher. Fueled by self-confidence and the power of her "fluffy, puffy curls," African American girl Truly (I Am Truly) goes on another series of imaginative adventures, including exploring the ocean and taking a rocket ship to Mars. The book's joyously empowering message sparkles on every page as smart, fun-loving, and beautiful Princess Truly frolics through Rauscher's dreamy, pastel-colored settings.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) K-3 African American girl Aria's "big" and "bouncy" hair is irresistible. From random strangers to mermaids and space aliens, everyone wants to touch Aria's hair. The problem: they do it without her permission. Miller provides a lighthearted way to start discussions about body autonomy and consent, and her vibrant, expressive illustrations clearly visualize why readers should always ask before they touch.

Reviewer: Monique Harris