I've held off on reviewing The Plain Janes, by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg, because it won't be released until May. But, seriously, enough is enough.
I hope that The Plain Janes will put to rest the endless (and fruitless) debate about whether or not graphic novels can be or are as good as "regular books." Because this one made me turn back and reread and reconsider as much as any great novel would.
(Main) Jane is a popular girl in Metro City. Then "something" happens in the big city--an explosion, or a bombing--and Jane falls in the streets. Nearby is a man with an "Art Saves" sketchbook, a book Jane rescues when she regains consciousness and returns home.
Jane's reaction to her city's crisis is different from her parents. Jane cuts off her blond hair, dyes it black, and sees in the mirror "a girl who can handle anything." Her parents pack up the home and move themselves with Jane to the suburbs. As Jane says, "Here we go. Nothing worse than starting the school year six weeks late. Remember it's just four years. Om, and all that."
Jane is a hard-headed kid and serious about changing her life. True, she can't move back to Metro City on her own, but she can take charge. When the "cool" girls make overtures to her in the dreaded cafeteria on day one, she decides to branch out. She seeks shelter with three other girls, who happen to be named Jane, Jayne, and Polly Jane.
Before long, Main Jane has convinced the other Janes to create P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art in Neighborhoods), a group formed to set up anonymous street art. Their first project--pyramids formed where a new strip mall was set to go up. They left a hand painted sign, stating, "Art Saves. THINK BIG. THINK P.L.A.I.N."
P.L.A.I.N gets everyone talking, but not always in a good way. Residents of Kent Waters.Suburbia fear the anonymous art installations. Soon the high school kids are on full lockdown, a lockdown that results in, of course, their growing closer together as a group.
The Plain Janes is a thought-provoking novel about fear in the modern age, the beauty and power of art, and the imagination and heart of youth. One thread I found particularly compelling concerned Main Jane's fascination with John Doe, the man with the "Art Saves" sketch book who fell next to her in Metro City. She continues to visit him in the hospital, to write him letters, to find a kindred spirit in the man with the "Art Saves" notebook.
Main Jane is a great heroine. She's determined, smart, and a dreamer. I hope we'll learn more about the other Janes in future volumes.
The Plain Janes is highly recommended for kids ages eleven and up.
==========================
Other blog reviews:
A Fuse #8 Production
Booktopia
Trusty Plinko Stick
The Broken Frontier (interview)
If I've missed your review, let me know...
==========================
While writing this review I heard of the Virginia Tech Shooting. I'm at a complete loss for words.
I hope that The Plain Janes will put to rest the endless (and fruitless) debate about whether or not graphic novels can be or are as good as "regular books." Because this one made me turn back and reread and reconsider as much as any great novel would.
(Main) Jane is a popular girl in Metro City. Then "something" happens in the big city--an explosion, or a bombing--and Jane falls in the streets. Nearby is a man with an "Art Saves" sketchbook, a book Jane rescues when she regains consciousness and returns home.
Jane's reaction to her city's crisis is different from her parents. Jane cuts off her blond hair, dyes it black, and sees in the mirror "a girl who can handle anything." Her parents pack up the home and move themselves with Jane to the suburbs. As Jane says, "Here we go. Nothing worse than starting the school year six weeks late. Remember it's just four years. Om, and all that."
Jane is a hard-headed kid and serious about changing her life. True, she can't move back to Metro City on her own, but she can take charge. When the "cool" girls make overtures to her in the dreaded cafeteria on day one, she decides to branch out. She seeks shelter with three other girls, who happen to be named Jane, Jayne, and Polly Jane.
Before long, Main Jane has convinced the other Janes to create P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art in Neighborhoods), a group formed to set up anonymous street art. Their first project--pyramids formed where a new strip mall was set to go up. They left a hand painted sign, stating, "Art Saves. THINK BIG. THINK P.L.A.I.N."
P.L.A.I.N gets everyone talking, but not always in a good way. Residents of Kent Waters.Suburbia fear the anonymous art installations. Soon the high school kids are on full lockdown, a lockdown that results in, of course, their growing closer together as a group.
The Plain Janes is a thought-provoking novel about fear in the modern age, the beauty and power of art, and the imagination and heart of youth. One thread I found particularly compelling concerned Main Jane's fascination with John Doe, the man with the "Art Saves" sketch book who fell next to her in Metro City. She continues to visit him in the hospital, to write him letters, to find a kindred spirit in the man with the "Art Saves" notebook.
Main Jane is a great heroine. She's determined, smart, and a dreamer. I hope we'll learn more about the other Janes in future volumes.
The Plain Janes is highly recommended for kids ages eleven and up.
==========================
Other blog reviews:
A Fuse #8 Production
Booktopia
Trusty Plinko Stick
The Broken Frontier (interview)
If I've missed your review, let me know...
==========================
While writing this review I heard of the Virginia Tech Shooting. I'm at a complete loss for words.
5 comments:
I have just read your review, and I have just read the breaking news - horrific.
I feel for the victims, their families and friends.
These kinds of things should not happen.
You're so right to rave about this book. I'm not usually one to enjoy the graphic novel genre (is it a genre?) but I was able to read this and very much enjoy it.
Even better, I loaned my ARC to a select few students (aka, my GN advisory group) and they loved it. Coming from them, I knew it was high praise because they usually only go for the manga-style, not the novelizations.
Even though it's a May release, I'm hoping to get it for next week's Book Fair, because it's sure to be as big a seller among the girls as the new Warriors GN will be among the boys.
As for the news, my heart goes out to those that are there, but I'm so disgusted by our 24/7 coverage I could scream.
This title looks great. Thanks!
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the review--I am currently shopping for graphic novels for my library and just posted a plea for suggestions over at my blog!
thanks,
Charlotte
I need, need, need that book. I appreciate you waiting until now to spring the review, because if you told me it was coming out in December I would scream.
As for the news, I always wish those assholes would skip the first step of shooting everyone else, and go right to shooting themselves. What a waste of a life. His, I mean.
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