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The Do-Over #1
The Do-Over: A Graphic Novel – An Inspiring Middle School Story About Friendship, Creativity, and Courage for Children
Friendship and creativity come together when three girls open their own styling studio in this new graphic novel series that's perfect for fans of Click and Smile.
Shy Mariana is looking for her chance to shine. She's having trouble making friends after a cross-country move to Ohio, plus, her dad refuses to let her help out at his hair salon, despite the fact that she's a social media expert!
So when she meets science whiz Zoe and creative maven Everly, and the three decide to start their own hair styling studio, she finally finds the friends--and the calling--she's been searching for. The trio's studio, True Colors, is a smash hit, and the girls are having a blast. Not to mention, Mariana loves helping her fellow middle-school clients express themselves.
But with the town Harvest Fest on the horizon and a line of customers always at the door, the friends have to scale up quickly, and they don't always agree on how. Can Mariana find the courage to speak up for what she wants? And does True Colors have what it takes to succeed in business and friendship?
Shy Mariana is looking for her chance to shine. She's having trouble making friends after a cross-country move to Ohio, plus, her dad refuses to let her help out at his hair salon, despite the fact that she's a social media expert!
So when she meets science whiz Zoe and creative maven Everly, and the three decide to start their own hair styling studio, she finally finds the friends--and the calling--she's been searching for. The trio's studio, True Colors, is a smash hit, and the girls are having a blast. Not to mention, Mariana loves helping her fellow middle-school clients express themselves.
But with the town Harvest Fest on the horizon and a line of customers always at the door, the friends have to scale up quickly, and they don't always agree on how. Can Mariana find the courage to speak up for what she wants? And does True Colors have what it takes to succeed in business and friendship?
224 pages, Paperback
Published May 23, 2023
18 people are currently reading
3009 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
June 26, 2024
This was a beautiful graphic novel in terms of the artwork, but I had trouble suspending my disbelief for the entire story. For example, I’m not sure how 3 middle schoolers could possibly run a salon with chemicals and not one adult has made sure that the appropriate permits are in place. I didn’t understand the reluctance of her father towards the main character wanting to do new and exciting things because there wasn’t enough context given. The story ultimately felt disjointed in a lot of areas which made the reading experience a little disappointing. I did enjoy the friendship between the two main characters, but there could have been a lot more work done in terms of the plot development and character development.
April 11, 2023
This was a super cute read, I think kids are going to love this. On the surface it seems like a really quick, lighthearted read, but then it does discuss some important themes, like struggling with grief, making new friends, and growing into your own. I'm impressed with how this was all fit into a fairly short graphic novel, without weighing it down.
September 1, 2023
I had a really hard time finding the cadence of the dialogue in this book. Conversations felt disjointed and abrupt, and expressions didn’t feel like they matched the mood of some of the scenes. I kept having to go back and re-read several panels to see if I missed something.
October 2, 2023
This was a cute graphic novel about 3 kids who open up a mobile salon. They cut hair as well as do a temporary hair dye and style. There is some drama between them but then they come back together. Very basic, kind of underdeveloped, just okay!
November 3, 2023
it was really cute and the graphics were great! it had a great story line and a nice ending
February 15, 2023
The Do-Over is a fun graphic novel that kids are going to love! When three girls get together to create a hair salon, they’ll be unstoppable! Or maybe there will be some bumps in the road!
May 22, 2023
A creative graphic novel of three girls who want to set up their hair salon to make an impact.
Mariana, or Maru, has just moved from California to Ohio and is struggling to make new friends. She also wants to publicize her father's salon, which he refuses. One day, when two girls from her school tried to advertise their hair dye to her dad, Maru couldn't resist the chance to make friends with them. They quickly become the best of friends, much to Maru's delight. Her new friends, Zoe and Everly, want to make their hair salon called True Colors. But can they keep up with their clients as the yearly Harvest Fest draws near?
My sister Laly's thoughts:
I loved this book. Lately, I have been looking for a book similar to Becoming Briana, but I already read that book 20 million times. This book hit my book craving. The moment I saw this book, I wanted to read it. I love the drawings primarily because of the incredible hair colors and the funny hairstyles. I loved how the group can make a person with very nasty hair into someone with the most fabulous hair that reflects their personality and interests.
Although the book was excellent, I didn't find the title matches the story.
My thoughts:
The drawing style is cartoony, and it reminded me a little about the Captain Underpants series' drawing style. The color palette in this book is chock full of colors, which makes the story remarkable! The True Colors hair salon sounds like where I would love to get my hair done!
Maru is a shy and kind person. I love how the author mixed Spanish words and phrases to spice up her character! Zoe is the careful one, while Everly is the impulsive one. Maru's dad sounds good, even though sometimes he is a little overprotective.
The theme of The Do-Over is always to have fun and achieve your goals. Give this book to someone who loves graphic novels with wacky humor!
Happy Reading, Laly & Paige ❤️💥
Mariana, or Maru, has just moved from California to Ohio and is struggling to make new friends. She also wants to publicize her father's salon, which he refuses. One day, when two girls from her school tried to advertise their hair dye to her dad, Maru couldn't resist the chance to make friends with them. They quickly become the best of friends, much to Maru's delight. Her new friends, Zoe and Everly, want to make their hair salon called True Colors. But can they keep up with their clients as the yearly Harvest Fest draws near?
My sister Laly's thoughts:
I loved this book. Lately, I have been looking for a book similar to Becoming Briana, but I already read that book 20 million times. This book hit my book craving. The moment I saw this book, I wanted to read it. I love the drawings primarily because of the incredible hair colors and the funny hairstyles. I loved how the group can make a person with very nasty hair into someone with the most fabulous hair that reflects their personality and interests.
Although the book was excellent, I didn't find the title matches the story.
My thoughts:
The drawing style is cartoony, and it reminded me a little about the Captain Underpants series' drawing style. The color palette in this book is chock full of colors, which makes the story remarkable! The True Colors hair salon sounds like where I would love to get my hair done!
Maru is a shy and kind person. I love how the author mixed Spanish words and phrases to spice up her character! Zoe is the careful one, while Everly is the impulsive one. Maru's dad sounds good, even though sometimes he is a little overprotective.
The theme of The Do-Over is always to have fun and achieve your goals. Give this book to someone who loves graphic novels with wacky humor!
Happy Reading, Laly & Paige ❤️💥
July 17, 2023
I really wanted more depth to this one, to know more about the three friends beyond each one’s most prominent personality trait and dig into the emotional stuff, the loss of Mariana’s mother and maybe see more of the relationship with her dad.
I also didn’t love how easily the business comes together, they’re given a food truck, able to quickly transform it into a salon, there’s no mention of the financial side of things, no mention of licenses or permits or whatever you’d need for that or for the experimental dye. I get that this is a graphic novel for kids, the salon was probably meant to just have a fantasy/aspirational quality, but I guess my sensibilities skew a little more down to earth than that, for me, it would have been easier to buy into the girls covertly setting up shop during lunch hour in their school bathroom, that would have seemed a little more lemonade stand relatable as far as kid businesses go, plus it could have added an urgency to the plot with the girls trying not to get caught by the school staff.
The art is cute and colorful and the salon helped some of the customers come into their own, so that was good, I just overall thought this could have done so much more with the characters and the concept.
I also didn’t love how easily the business comes together, they’re given a food truck, able to quickly transform it into a salon, there’s no mention of the financial side of things, no mention of licenses or permits or whatever you’d need for that or for the experimental dye. I get that this is a graphic novel for kids, the salon was probably meant to just have a fantasy/aspirational quality, but I guess my sensibilities skew a little more down to earth than that, for me, it would have been easier to buy into the girls covertly setting up shop during lunch hour in their school bathroom, that would have seemed a little more lemonade stand relatable as far as kid businesses go, plus it could have added an urgency to the plot with the girls trying not to get caught by the school staff.
The art is cute and colorful and the salon helped some of the customers come into their own, so that was good, I just overall thought this could have done so much more with the characters and the concept.
April 17, 2023
Cute story about friends, family, and confidence. Adults you might have to suspend belief a tad (after all what adult do you know goes to a middle-schooler to get their hair done? Which is literally a stalk of corn hair style. Not to mention, I don't think they have a license to run a business), but overall it is a funny take on a well known theme.
read-comix
May 23, 2023“It’s not like I don’t want to talk to people… it’s just really hard sometimes.”
Mariana and her Papá just moved across the country to be closer to family. Maru is shy and struggling to make friends, and her Papá isn’t letting her help out around his salon. But when she meets science whiz Zoe, and creative maven Everly, the three decide to start their own hair styling studio, True Colors.
I loved their creativity and seeing all the unique hairstyles they came up with. It was refreshing to see young girls work towards a common goal and work on their communication and problem solving skills. And I especially loved that Maru found her own voice.
The art style was really fun and vibrant, and we got a diverse cast of characters. Both creators are from Chile so it felt like a lot of their culture was shown throughout the story. There was also a sprinkling of Spanish language in the text and it was easy to understand.
Mariana and her Papá just moved across the country to be closer to family. Maru is shy and struggling to make friends, and her Papá isn’t letting her help out around his salon. But when she meets science whiz Zoe, and creative maven Everly, the three decide to start their own hair styling studio, True Colors.
I loved their creativity and seeing all the unique hairstyles they came up with. It was refreshing to see young girls work towards a common goal and work on their communication and problem solving skills. And I especially loved that Maru found her own voice.
The art style was really fun and vibrant, and we got a diverse cast of characters. Both creators are from Chile so it felt like a lot of their culture was shown throughout the story. There was also a sprinkling of Spanish language in the text and it was easy to understand.
April 20, 2023
This graphic novel seems like it will be enjoyed by its target audience. I appreciated how this story discussed grief, friendship, and family in addition to day to day concerns of children.
February 27, 2023
This was a really cute middle grade graphic novel about making friends and doing something you are passionate about and how to have a business as well as have fun doing it together. The art was cute and I love all the different hairstyles and colors that were used while styling their fellow students hair. They came together at the end for the Harvest festival and the debut of their mobile styling truck.
Thanks to Clarion Books and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.
Thanks to Clarion Books and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.
April 30, 2025
The Do-Over
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 5.57/10 overall
Characters - 5
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 6
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 5
Enjoyment - 5
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 5.57/10 overall
Characters - 5
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 6
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 5
Enjoyment - 5
February 17, 2023
Mariana has lost her mother, who was the last person to style her hair. Her father is a hair stylist, but she doesn’t want him to do it. Nor does she want the new girls she meets at school to do it. It is the last thing she has of her.
And what do the girls want to do, but open up their own hair salon. Zoe has come up with a hair dye that washing out after three shampoos, and Everly is very creative at hair styles, so they are very into this.
OF course there are misunderstandings, and kids not telling parents what is going on, because they always do that.
I’m not saying that this is typical, I’m just saying that this story has all the tropes you expect to find.
And yet, it is also fun. Everly does up one guys hair like a giant corn cob, because, as she says, she is an artist. On another woman, she makes her hair into a giant swirly snow cone.
But what is sweet is that the kids and adults love how much care they get from the girls. They treat them like the customers that they want them to be.
And they do listen, in the end, if someone says no.
Overall a fun romp, though a bit unrealistic that they could carry it off, but that’s not important.
This is a cute middle grade graphic novel that is about, surprise, friendship, which is what most middle grade graphic novels are about, really.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
And what do the girls want to do, but open up their own hair salon. Zoe has come up with a hair dye that washing out after three shampoos, and Everly is very creative at hair styles, so they are very into this.
OF course there are misunderstandings, and kids not telling parents what is going on, because they always do that.
I’m not saying that this is typical, I’m just saying that this story has all the tropes you expect to find.
And yet, it is also fun. Everly does up one guys hair like a giant corn cob, because, as she says, she is an artist. On another woman, she makes her hair into a giant swirly snow cone.
But what is sweet is that the kids and adults love how much care they get from the girls. They treat them like the customers that they want them to be.
And they do listen, in the end, if someone says no.
Overall a fun romp, though a bit unrealistic that they could carry it off, but that’s not important.
This is a cute middle grade graphic novel that is about, surprise, friendship, which is what most middle grade graphic novels are about, really.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
July 19, 2023
*Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title. All opinions shared are my own and receiving said copy in no way influenced this review.
Maru is a new student to a school in Ohio, after moving from California, and like most new students she is having a bit of trouble fitting in and making new friends. Her father owns his own barber shop and her abuela owns a restaurant not far from the barber shop. At school one day she overhears two girls who made their own natural hair-dye, and later the same day they end up at her fathers hair salon asking him to sell/ use their product at his business. He unfortunately declines, but it gives Maru the opportunity to introduce herself to the girls. As their friendship grows Maru introduces her new friends to her abuela, where after some talking they decide if a salon won't buy their hair dye, they should open their own salon! Maru's abuela and uncle offer up his old tour bus, that they convert into a traveling salon. After working on the bus for a while, they are able to open up shop, and business is booming! They eventually put in a ticket to work the city's harvest festival, which they easily get accepted to, as they are such young entrepreneurs. Of course our story wouldn't be complete without the ups and downs of friendship AND business ownership, but our girls manage to come out on top, stronger and better off for it in the end.
Maru is a new student to a school in Ohio, after moving from California, and like most new students she is having a bit of trouble fitting in and making new friends. Her father owns his own barber shop and her abuela owns a restaurant not far from the barber shop. At school one day she overhears two girls who made their own natural hair-dye, and later the same day they end up at her fathers hair salon asking him to sell/ use their product at his business. He unfortunately declines, but it gives Maru the opportunity to introduce herself to the girls. As their friendship grows Maru introduces her new friends to her abuela, where after some talking they decide if a salon won't buy their hair dye, they should open their own salon! Maru's abuela and uncle offer up his old tour bus, that they convert into a traveling salon. After working on the bus for a while, they are able to open up shop, and business is booming! They eventually put in a ticket to work the city's harvest festival, which they easily get accepted to, as they are such young entrepreneurs. Of course our story wouldn't be complete without the ups and downs of friendship AND business ownership, but our girls manage to come out on top, stronger and better off for it in the end.
June 17, 2023
I enjoyed the illustrations and the colours a lot. I found three main character’s actions and motivations to be somewhat baffling at times. Why was she late the one day? Is that a typical characteristic? There were some serious themes in this book that it would have been better to cut out. It was like it tried to fit in too many things, so nothing resonated. Why did she hide it from her dad? Why did he think a salon in need of assistance would only be dragged down by him? It would have been better to cut out all that stuff and maybe focus from the beginning on how her mom was the last person to cut her hair, then it would have been a bigger climax when she chose to move on. Too many things stuffed in meant that was just one more panel. If this is going to be a series anyway, it would be better to unbox the emotional stuff one volume at a time. That said, I’d read the second one.
August 28, 2023
A beautifully written diverse graphic novel about starting at a new school, making new friends and sharing passions with each other and finding how to work together. I loved the characters and the layers to this book, as well as the insight into the main character’s anxiety at starting conversations when approaching new people at school.
February 20, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Mariana (Maru) and her father, a barber, have moved from California to Columbus, Ohio to be near Maru's Abuela, who runs a local Peruvian restaurant. Maru misses her friends, but is glad to be near her abuela, and wants to help her father out with the business, which isn't doing as well as he had hoped. She posts pictures on Telepik, hoping to raise awareness. These pictures lead Zoe and Everly to visit the shop and ask Maru's father if he would be interested in their organic temporary hair dye, which they have packaged in a water bottle. Maru thinks it is a great idea, and in preparation for the local Harvest Festival, her abuela and uncle help the kids clean up an old food truck and turn it into a mobile salon, True Colors. Maru doesn't tell her dad anything about this, and avoids all of his questions. Maru doesn't want to dye her own hair, which leads to a little bit of tension with her new friends, but they find that they are very busy with cutting and dying people's hair, sometimes giving them hair dos that look like ice cream cones or ears of corn (which, in Ohio, ends up being very popular). Her father isn't pleased when he finds out, but when True Colors needs more help, her father is willing to step in and lend a hand.
Strengths: This was a fun graphic novel about Kids Doing Things that will appeal to the legions of young readers who themselves have dyed hair and the occasional nose ring. I appreciated that while Maru was sad that she had to leave California and was grieving her mother in realistic ways, she settles happily into her new life with new friends. Her relationship with her father is spot of for middle grade children, so it was good to see that she could turn to her grandmother while she is irritated with her father. The Harvest Festival and the True Colors salon are both a lot of of fun.
Weaknesses: While the Columbus representation is fine in both the events, setting, and drawings, I was surprised to learn that both authors are based in Santiago, Chile. While I love seeing books set in my hometown, I would love to see something set in Chile. Just a little confused.
What I really think: Readers who like Greenwald's 2009 My Life in Pink and Green, Santopolo's Sparkle Spa, or Ortega's Frizzy will love this graphic novel. Personally, my grandmother's voice was VERY loud in my head when I read this. She would have not approved of people spending money "to look silly". We used to have a school rule that hair couldn't be dyed bright colors, but then people used to not come to school in their pajamas. This made me feel old!
Mariana (Maru) and her father, a barber, have moved from California to Columbus, Ohio to be near Maru's Abuela, who runs a local Peruvian restaurant. Maru misses her friends, but is glad to be near her abuela, and wants to help her father out with the business, which isn't doing as well as he had hoped. She posts pictures on Telepik, hoping to raise awareness. These pictures lead Zoe and Everly to visit the shop and ask Maru's father if he would be interested in their organic temporary hair dye, which they have packaged in a water bottle. Maru thinks it is a great idea, and in preparation for the local Harvest Festival, her abuela and uncle help the kids clean up an old food truck and turn it into a mobile salon, True Colors. Maru doesn't tell her dad anything about this, and avoids all of his questions. Maru doesn't want to dye her own hair, which leads to a little bit of tension with her new friends, but they find that they are very busy with cutting and dying people's hair, sometimes giving them hair dos that look like ice cream cones or ears of corn (which, in Ohio, ends up being very popular). Her father isn't pleased when he finds out, but when True Colors needs more help, her father is willing to step in and lend a hand.
Strengths: This was a fun graphic novel about Kids Doing Things that will appeal to the legions of young readers who themselves have dyed hair and the occasional nose ring. I appreciated that while Maru was sad that she had to leave California and was grieving her mother in realistic ways, she settles happily into her new life with new friends. Her relationship with her father is spot of for middle grade children, so it was good to see that she could turn to her grandmother while she is irritated with her father. The Harvest Festival and the True Colors salon are both a lot of of fun.
Weaknesses: While the Columbus representation is fine in both the events, setting, and drawings, I was surprised to learn that both authors are based in Santiago, Chile. While I love seeing books set in my hometown, I would love to see something set in Chile. Just a little confused.
What I really think: Readers who like Greenwald's 2009 My Life in Pink and Green, Santopolo's Sparkle Spa, or Ortega's Frizzy will love this graphic novel. Personally, my grandmother's voice was VERY loud in my head when I read this. She would have not approved of people spending money "to look silly". We used to have a school rule that hair couldn't be dyed bright colors, but then people used to not come to school in their pajamas. This made me feel old!
August 18, 2023
This graphic novel from two comic artists based in Santiago, Chile, was a great quick read during my lunch break (I'm always looking for those!). It also has sprinklings of Spanish in there, as the main character is Latinx although I don't think it's ever explicitly said where her family is from (probably Chile, since the authors live there and they eat panettone). I had to look a few phrases up on Google Translate, but it's a very simple read and the illustrations are super simple too (like maybe too simple? But I love all the colors!).
In this story, seventh grader Mariana has just moved to Ohio with her father (her mother has passed away two years ago) from California and is super shy. I could totally relate to her social anxiety, since I struggled with that a lot at her age. She wants to share her father's hair salon business on Telepik, the stand in for Instagram in the book, but he's resistant to change. She meets two friends, Everly and Zoe. Everly is a scientist who created her own hair dye and Zoe is a creative who loves styling unique hairdos. Together, they start their own hair salon called True Colors, just in time for the Harvest Festival!
To be honest, as a parent, I kept thinking, I don't know if I want my kid to read this book and start cutting people's hair, haha. She's much younger than the protagonist though. You really have to suspend your imagination for this book, to the point that it's almost more of a fantasy than a realistic fiction book. I have some questions like: 1) how could an elaborate hairstyle shaped like a corn stay put overnight? 2) What adults, much less senior citizens, would really let tweens cut their hair? 3) Can you really turn a run down RV into a working hair salon in seemingly 24 hours?
It looks like this is the first in a planned series. It's great to see more graphic novels with Latinx characters! Overall, a very cute book and I hope my community will enjoy it.
Gr. 4-6 (maybe a little younger, but not older)
In this story, seventh grader Mariana has just moved to Ohio with her father (her mother has passed away two years ago) from California and is super shy. I could totally relate to her social anxiety, since I struggled with that a lot at her age. She wants to share her father's hair salon business on Telepik, the stand in for Instagram in the book, but he's resistant to change. She meets two friends, Everly and Zoe. Everly is a scientist who created her own hair dye and Zoe is a creative who loves styling unique hairdos. Together, they start their own hair salon called True Colors, just in time for the Harvest Festival!
To be honest, as a parent, I kept thinking, I don't know if I want my kid to read this book and start cutting people's hair, haha. She's much younger than the protagonist though. You really have to suspend your imagination for this book, to the point that it's almost more of a fantasy than a realistic fiction book. I have some questions like: 1) how could an elaborate hairstyle shaped like a corn stay put overnight? 2) What adults, much less senior citizens, would really let tweens cut their hair? 3) Can you really turn a run down RV into a working hair salon in seemingly 24 hours?
It looks like this is the first in a planned series. It's great to see more graphic novels with Latinx characters! Overall, a very cute book and I hope my community will enjoy it.
Gr. 4-6 (maybe a little younger, but not older)
May 27, 2024
"no. she's had cool haircuts before. this was about the conversations and support."
💫 representation: Mariana is Latina and raised by a single father, Everly is Black, and there is a wide range of BIPOC side characters -- wonderful diversity!
💫 content warnings for: friendship conflicts, grief
SO CUTE AND WHOLESOME!! friendship is magic <3
i picked The Do-Over up because of the adorable artwork (and honestly, the rad dyed hair) and got sucked in immediately. this is a quick read, but it is by no means fruitless.
Maru is a loveable lead, and very relatable. she lost her mom who inspired her to start her own hair business, and i lost my cat who made me want to go into vet medicine. we're connected through grief. but. our grief does not define us. that is the beam of our character arcs. beyond that, Maru's shyness and struggle to make friends is always something i can see myself in, especially in middle-grade stories. it makes me love her character more. Maru, i promise everything will be okay. your friends will be there for you. grief comes and goes, but it gets easier. if i could hug you, i would.
Zoe and Everly are also so loveable!! the three of them together are so sweet and are honestly friend group goals 💜
i think the messages in this book are my favorite part: be who you are fearlessly. express your individuality. take care of yourself and your community. so good! :)
⊹₊ ⋆ kin list: Mariana, Zoe
~ Morgan Shadow 🐺👑🏹🌊💫
💫 representation: Mariana is Latina and raised by a single father, Everly is Black, and there is a wide range of BIPOC side characters -- wonderful diversity!
💫 content warnings for: friendship conflicts, grief
SO CUTE AND WHOLESOME!! friendship is magic <3
i picked The Do-Over up because of the adorable artwork (and honestly, the rad dyed hair) and got sucked in immediately. this is a quick read, but it is by no means fruitless.
Maru is a loveable lead, and very relatable. she lost her mom who inspired her to start her own hair business, and i lost my cat who made me want to go into vet medicine. we're connected through grief. but. our grief does not define us. that is the beam of our character arcs. beyond that, Maru's shyness and struggle to make friends is always something i can see myself in, especially in middle-grade stories. it makes me love her character more. Maru, i promise everything will be okay. your friends will be there for you. grief comes and goes, but it gets easier. if i could hug you, i would.
Zoe and Everly are also so loveable!! the three of them together are so sweet and are honestly friend group goals 💜
i think the messages in this book are my favorite part: be who you are fearlessly. express your individuality. take care of yourself and your community. so good! :)
⊹₊ ⋆ kin list: Mariana, Zoe
~ Morgan Shadow 🐺👑🏹🌊💫
November 8, 2023
Mariana and her dad have moved to a new place after her mother passed away. She just doesn't know how to make friends as she is so shy. Her dad is nice, but he doesn't seem to know how to talk to her, which also makes things hard. Eventually, Mariana comes across Zoe and Everly and the three decide to make a hair styling studio.
With the help of Mariana's grandmother, they're able to find a truck for a mobile salon and have named it True Colors. They're even going to enter the Harvest Fest. Of course, the three girls aren't exactly on the same page of how the salon should move forward, which causes some distress for everyone. Will the three be able to mend their friendship in time for the Harvest Fest?
I thought this was a lovely little read. The art was simple, yet colorful. I like that they were able to come together with a business idea (though I'm not sure how they got the licenses to cut hair as children. Hah!) The relationship between Mariana and her father was obviously a caring one, but, as its revealed later, they both terribly miss Mariana's mom and aren't sure how to cope with their feelings and with each other. The graphic novel touches on loss and how you can be lost without being too heavy.
I also enjoyed how Mariana and her family easily switched between Spanish and English and how it was easy enough to get context from what they were saying, even if you don't speak Spanish.
With the help of Mariana's grandmother, they're able to find a truck for a mobile salon and have named it True Colors. They're even going to enter the Harvest Fest. Of course, the three girls aren't exactly on the same page of how the salon should move forward, which causes some distress for everyone. Will the three be able to mend their friendship in time for the Harvest Fest?
I thought this was a lovely little read. The art was simple, yet colorful. I like that they were able to come together with a business idea (though I'm not sure how they got the licenses to cut hair as children. Hah!) The relationship between Mariana and her father was obviously a caring one, but, as its revealed later, they both terribly miss Mariana's mom and aren't sure how to cope with their feelings and with each other. The graphic novel touches on loss and how you can be lost without being too heavy.
I also enjoyed how Mariana and her family easily switched between Spanish and English and how it was easy enough to get context from what they were saying, even if you don't speak Spanish.
December 14, 2023
Over a year after her mother died, Maru and her papá move from California to Columbus, Ohio to be closer to family, but Maru really misses her friends back in CA. She hasn't made friends at school, and one kid keeps making annoying California comments to her. When two girls that burst into the bathroom after having dyed the ends of one girl's hair, they have an emergency. Since Maru's dad is a hair stylist, she has scissors in her bag that she loans to them, but she doesn't get a word of thanks. Later, they come to Maru's dad's salon to pitch their temporary natural hair dye, and it brings all of their girls together to brainstorm their own hair salon specializing in this special hair dye with great styles and a personal touch. When Maru's family offers their old food truck as their salon, they work hard to make it happen. Can they make it a success in time for the Harvest Festival, all while not telling her dad? It's a fun, empowering story about starting a business, friendship and getting along, and finding who you are. I can't imagine this story actually happening with middle schoolers, but maybe I'm wrong. While the colors are pretty flat, the new coloring from their hair dye stands out a lot more. It's a short read with quite a few panels without dialogue that really focus on the illustrations (action, faces, hair, general changes). That style made it feel like a good readalike for any of Kayla Miller's graphic novels.
June 9, 2023
Though I love the positive messages put forth in this one - believe in yourself, take chances, be kind - I had a lot of problems with the book. Encouraging tweens to think about starting a business is a great idea, but it should never be taken as lightly as it is in this story. It's a prospect that requires much thought and planning, not to mention a hefty infusion of cash, and this graphic novel for middle-grade readers makes it look too easy. Three girls (I'm not sure of their ages) decide on a whim to open a hair salon, and in no time, they have a an RV converted into a mobile salon. No business license required, and the lasses didn't even have to break into their piggy banks.
And, how is the application of a hair-dye that comes out in three washes such a life changing event for most of these people?
I enjoy fantasy as much as the next person, but I guess I just prefer books that are set in the real world to be a little more . . . realistic.
Thanks to Clarion Books and NetGalley for the read.
And, how is the application of a hair-dye that comes out in three washes such a life changing event for most of these people?
I enjoy fantasy as much as the next person, but I guess I just prefer books that are set in the real world to be a little more . . . realistic.
Thanks to Clarion Books and NetGalley for the read.
April 2, 2023
Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
Mariana and her father have just moved across the country to be near family and to heal from their grief. She is shy and struggles to make friends. Then she takes a chance and speaks to Zoe and Everly and the three connect over hair. With encouragement from her Abuela and Tio, Mariana and her friends create their own hair salon and offer people a chance to change their hair style and color with a dye that washes out quickly. Everly is an incredible artist who uses her talents to sculpt hair; Zoe uses her amazing science skills to create the safe dyes, and Mariana uses her social media skills to create buzz.
Readers will connect with the friendship troubles and triumphs as the three figure out how to run a business and share about themselves. Mari also learns to share with her dad as they both heal from her mom's death.
Realistic artwork captures the emotions and energy of the story.
I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
Mariana and her father have just moved across the country to be near family and to heal from their grief. She is shy and struggles to make friends. Then she takes a chance and speaks to Zoe and Everly and the three connect over hair. With encouragement from her Abuela and Tio, Mariana and her friends create their own hair salon and offer people a chance to change their hair style and color with a dye that washes out quickly. Everly is an incredible artist who uses her talents to sculpt hair; Zoe uses her amazing science skills to create the safe dyes, and Mariana uses her social media skills to create buzz.
Readers will connect with the friendship troubles and triumphs as the three figure out how to run a business and share about themselves. Mari also learns to share with her dad as they both heal from her mom's death.
Realistic artwork captures the emotions and energy of the story.
May 14, 2023
Mariana has just moved from California to Ohio and is having problems making friends until another student's hair emergency at school begins not only a connection to two other girls, but the start of a new hair-styling business.
The Do-Over touched on a lot of different topics. Loss of a family member, moving, making new friends, and overcoming shyness. The story was told in a colorful, expressive way while quickly moving along the storyline. It showed bravery, tenacity, and overcoming obstacles. I think middle schoolers, overall, would find this an entertaining read.
Personally, I had a hard time with this one. I feel like the more serious topics were there, but were glossed over in favor of entertainment value. I am also sad that this book ignored all the real life rules that would have gone along with opening a business, especially a hair salon using an amazing new (and untested) hair dye. Not my favorite read, to be honest.
The Do-Over touched on a lot of different topics. Loss of a family member, moving, making new friends, and overcoming shyness. The story was told in a colorful, expressive way while quickly moving along the storyline. It showed bravery, tenacity, and overcoming obstacles. I think middle schoolers, overall, would find this an entertaining read.
Personally, I had a hard time with this one. I feel like the more serious topics were there, but were glossed over in favor of entertainment value. I am also sad that this book ignored all the real life rules that would have gone along with opening a business, especially a hair salon using an amazing new (and untested) hair dye. Not my favorite read, to be honest.
February 3, 2023
For young social media expert Mariana, trying to give her dad's hair salon business is tough. At school, she's quiet and reserved, but by chance, she meets two young girls who share a love of hair. Her friends, Zoe and Everly, created a new hair color product, and with Mariana's grandmother's help, all three girls set up their own salon. But when the festival arrives, can the girls get everything under control before it's too late?
Wild hair colors meet one rambunctious dog in The Do-Over, a graphic novel about growing up and becoming someone new. With friendships that change over time and reconciling with bullies, Maraiana has a lot on her plate. But with the help of Zoe and Everly, she's able to make closure on her mother's passing and open up to her dad about all her troubles. Another amazing comic on hair, gal pals, and all the colors of the rainbow. I loved it!
Wild hair colors meet one rambunctious dog in The Do-Over, a graphic novel about growing up and becoming someone new. With friendships that change over time and reconciling with bullies, Maraiana has a lot on her plate. But with the help of Zoe and Everly, she's able to make closure on her mother's passing and open up to her dad about all her troubles. Another amazing comic on hair, gal pals, and all the colors of the rainbow. I loved it!
June 12, 2023
Mariana lost her mother two years ago. Her and her father have moved from California to someplace new to be with her family. Mariana is shy and has never had to move. Her teachers are constantly telling her to put your phone down live in the here and now. It’s only once she decides to live within her current life instead of her past life, that she makes new friends. Turns out they have similar interests: hair care. Together the group of friends create their own mini salon in an old trailer, create a non-toxic, all-natural hair dye, and cut some fantastic if not a little crazy, hairstyles. This book is all about family and friends and intended for middle grade. It does a lovely job of showing that everybody has issues or problems and sometimes you fight but you make up and make things better. This was a quick and fun read that any kid, middle grade or elementary is sure to enjoy.
October 9, 2023
A nice middle-grade graphic novel about making new friends.
Mariana has just moved from California and is struggling to make new friends. When she finds two with an interest in hair coloring and cutting, her grandmother and uncle help the three of them convert an old RV into a salon (yes, I know it's completely unrealistic, but just roll with it).
Throughout the story, the three friends learn how to handle disagreements, speak honestly with their parents, stand up for themselves, and listen to others who are trying to figure out how to be themselves, too.
It is a very positive, inclusive book with positive portrayals of adults and tween/teens.
It's definitely didactic in tone at times, but I can see the appeal to upper elementary and middle school kids. Who doesn't want supportive and fun family and friends and great hair?
Mariana has just moved from California and is struggling to make new friends. When she finds two with an interest in hair coloring and cutting, her grandmother and uncle help the three of them convert an old RV into a salon (yes, I know it's completely unrealistic, but just roll with it).
Throughout the story, the three friends learn how to handle disagreements, speak honestly with their parents, stand up for themselves, and listen to others who are trying to figure out how to be themselves, too.
It is a very positive, inclusive book with positive portrayals of adults and tween/teens.
It's definitely didactic in tone at times, but I can see the appeal to upper elementary and middle school kids. Who doesn't want supportive and fun family and friends and great hair?
February 26, 2023
Friendship + creativity = a styling studio run by three friends!
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Mariana recently moved to Ohio and is having trouble making friends. Her shyness mixed with being the new girl isn’t helping, but when she meets science whiz Zoe and creative Everly they decide to open their own styling studio and use temporary hair dye to lure the customers in. They want to be open in time for the town’s Harvest Fest. Can True Colors open and be successful by then?
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This MG graphic novel was like one big hug. Fans of Click, Smile, Miss Quinces and the Babysitter’s Club will love this new book by @eternadinociencia @kurisquare I loved the Spanish mixed in throughout the novel and believe this will be an instant hit with my middle school students when it releases May 23.
💈
Mariana recently moved to Ohio and is having trouble making friends. Her shyness mixed with being the new girl isn’t helping, but when she meets science whiz Zoe and creative Everly they decide to open their own styling studio and use temporary hair dye to lure the customers in. They want to be open in time for the town’s Harvest Fest. Can True Colors open and be successful by then?
💈
This MG graphic novel was like one big hug. Fans of Click, Smile, Miss Quinces and the Babysitter’s Club will love this new book by @eternadinociencia @kurisquare I loved the Spanish mixed in throughout the novel and believe this will be an instant hit with my middle school students when it releases May 23.
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