Key learning points

1. ‘Frizzy’ is a fictional graphic novel text written by Claribel A. Ortega and illustrated by Rose Bousamra.
2. The text follows Marlene, a young Dominican-American girl coming to terms with growing up.
3. Graphic novels include features such as speech bubbles, thought bubbles & sound effects to explain what is happening.
4. Readers sometimes have to infer what has happened, rather than being told by the author or illustrator.
5. The text celebrates Spanish language and Dominican culture; this helps ground the story in Marlene’s cultural heritage.

Keywords

• Graphic novel - a form of text combining words and images in long-form, sequential art panels

• Peritext - the elements around a book, including its cover, title and blurb

• Cultural heritage - the traditions, beliefs and values passed down through generations

• Inference - to use clues from within the text to draw conclusions

Common misconception