The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg

ISBN: 978-1-401-21115-8
DC Comics, NY 2007
unpaginated

Plot Summary

After Jane is hurt in a terrorist attack in Metro City, her parents no longer feel safe in the city and move to the suburbs. Jane is upset because a boy who was right next to her at the time of the attack is in a coma and no one knows who he is. Jane knows he's an artist because she found his sketch book. She also has to try and make friends at a new high school so she starts secret art club with other girls named Jane and their try to make their suburb more beautiful by leaving random "art installations" all over town. However, their attempts at art are seen as possible terrorist threats.

Critical Evaluation

This graphic novel packs a lot of meaning into the dialogue. This is the first graphic novel I've read and I was a little confused by which Jane was talking but I don't think teens would have that problem. My only criticism is that the gay boy is stereotypical (loves to shop, wants to be one of the girls) but the book is original and gives a different perspective on terrorism (not that different from Little Brother in that teenagers are perceived at threats).

Reader's Annotation

Jane misses living in the big city and all the public art and museums so she starts a secret art club with other girls named Jane. However, not everyone likes their attempts to "beautify" the town.

Author Info

Cecil Castellucci grew up in NYC, is French-Canadian and the author of acclaimed YA novel, Boy Proof. She has been named a Flying Start by Publishers Weekly. She still looks for street art wherever she goes. The Plain Janes is her first graphic novel.

Jim Rugg is the artist and co-creator of Street Angel. He grew up in Pittsburgh and still lives there. He's disappointed that his school didn't have a girl "gang" like the Janes.

Genre

YA graphic novel

Curriculum Ties

Could be used in Life Skills or on a high school reading list

Booktalking Ideas

1. Jane talks Damon into driving all the way into Metro City with her so she can visit her John Doe.

2. Damon throws the paint ball off the clock tower after Jane feels that her friends have let her down.

Reading/Interest Level

Age 13+

Challenge Issues and Defense

gay character, Jane leaves to go the city without her parents' knowledge, terrorist threat

the violence is implied and her parents ground her, there is no sex, only one brief kiss

Starred review from Booklist

Why I Included This Book

Acclaimed author and I wanted to read a graphic novel