Curlfriends: New in Town

by Sharee Miller

The 'Curlfriends' series follows a group of girls navigating new friendships and school environments while celebrating their natural hair and individual styles. This graphic novel focuses on the importance of building community in a new town.

Big Idea

True friendship is built on mutual support, shared experiences, and embracing what makes each of us unique.

Discussion Questions

1.How do the characters support one another when they feel lonely?
2.What does the visual representation of the characters' hair tell us about their personalities?
3.How do the girls handle conflict within their friend group?
4.What advice would you give a new student trying to make friends?
5.Why is it important for friends to have different interests?

Lesson Plan

⏱ 45 minutes📦 Cardstock, index cards, art supplies, pens.

Learning Goals

Identify traits that constitute healthy friendships.
Practice summarizing character interactions.
Improve creative writing through metaphorical description.

Activity Steps

1.Discuss the qualities the Curlfriends show toward one another.
2.Provide recipe card templates to students.
3.Ask students to list 'ingredients' (e.g., trust, listening, fun).
4.Have students write 'directions' for how to combine these ingredients.
5.Decorate the cards with illustrations matching their friendship themes.

Standards Connections

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2

Pace-Write-Read Study with Pace-Write It!

Sharee Miller uses bright, energetic pacing to match the upbeat nature of starting new friendships. The visual composition keeps the story moving briskly, encouraging readers to turn pages as quickly as the characters form bonds. By examining this text, students learn that a writer can control the 'tempo' of a story to reflect the social energy of the characters. We see how rapid-fire dialogue panels contrast with moments of individual introspection, effectively teaching the balance of social and private narrative beats.

Element	How to notice or teach it in the novel
Pacing	Observe how Miller uses rhythmic panel sequences to build excitement during social interactions.
Plot	Recognize how the plot is driven by small, everyday interactions that cement relationships.
Prosody	Discuss how the character's expressions and postures inform the rhythm of their dialogue.
Word	Analyze how modern slang and casual language enhance the relatability of the characters.
Voice & Worldview	Reflect on how the collective voice of the group shapes the overall tone of the story.

Pace-Write It!

Draft a one-page comic scene involving two characters meeting for the first time, using only four panels to set the stage.

Classroom Activities

Friendship Recipe Card

Students create a recipe card identifying the 'ingredients' that go into making a good, lasting friendship.

Friendship Recipe Card

Students create a recipe card identifying the 'ingredients' that go into making a good, lasting friendship.

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Discussion questions PWR workshop PDF download