Written by Cecil Castellucci Art and cover by Jim Rugg "This graphic novel for girls feels like a teen movie and teaches young women the joy of being original." - USA Today on The Plain Janes, Best Graphic Novels of 2007 The art attacks continue in this sequel to the acclaimed graphic novel THE PLAIN JANES. The coolest clique of misfits ever plays Cupid and becomes entangled in affairs of the heart. P.L.A.I.N. - People Loving Art In Neighborhoods - goes global when the art gang procures a spot in the Metro City Museum of Modern Art Contest. And the Janes will discover that in art and love, the normal rules don't always apply. Retailers: See this month's order form for a special ordering incentive on this title. Advance-solicited; on sale September 10 - 5.25" x 8" - 176 pg, B&W, $9.99 US
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Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The second book of the PLAIN Janes series returns to the four Janes of suburban town Kent Waters and their public art attacks as People Loving Art in Neighborhoods (PLAIN). This time the story line is sprinkled with bits of romance as the various Janes struggle to approach their love interests for dates to the school dance and the main Jane applies for an art grant. Castellucci writes with ambition, including threads that pull in issues of terrorism, fear, free art and adolescent anxiety. Unfortunately, the resulting tangle of political overtones sometimes clutters what could have been a clearer story of one girl's artistic aspirations and the underlying theme of friendship. Rugg, whose art and unfettered concepts of femininity soared with Street Angel, is more constrained with the two-dimensional characters he's illustrating. As the second book of the series, a character breakdown or introduction would be helpful to new readers. Otherwise, it's a suitable read for those who enjoyed the first Janes book, but not a good entry point for anyone unfamiliar with the series. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From School Library Journal
Grade 8–10—In this sequel to The Plain Janes (Minx, 2007), the Janes bravely continue to pursue their love of boys and their love of art, facing challenges from the police, their parents, and the community. Castellucci deftly deals with a number of serious issues, including anxiety and depression, mortality, body image, gay relationships, and community activism. Fortunately, they never weigh down the narrative: this is a sweet, quirky story with some uplifting (though never pedantic) messages. Rugg's clean, crisp illustrations are the perfect accompaniment, giving the comic a hip, indie look that resembles Adrian Tomine's work.—Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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More About the Author
Small Girl. Big Party. Author of the novels The Year of the Beasts, First Day on Earth, Rose Sees Red, Boy Proof, The Queen of Cool, Beige and The Plain Janes. Former indie rocker known as Nerdy Girl and Cecil Seaskull. DIY filmmaker. enfant terrible. modern 21st century flapper.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Amy Ward
Format:Paperback
Janes in Love picks up where the last book left off. Our Janes are still creating wonderful pieces of art to enliven the community. This time around, the Janes are all in love and not sure what to do about it. In the midst of all the hormones, the Janes are deterred in their artistic efforts and P.L.A.I.N. looks to be doomed. But they still have some tricks up their sleeves.
I loved the first book and was equally thrilled with the latest installment. The book has a lot of heart and really touches on our modern-day fears. I truly wish every community had a group like the PLAIN Janes. The world would be a better place. I hope there are more installments of this series to come.
I loved the first book and was equally thrilled with the latest installment. The book has a lot of heart and really touches on our modern-day fears. I truly wish every community had a group like the PLAIN Janes. The world would be a better place. I hope there are more installments of this series to come.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This graphic novel continues nearly a year after The P.L.A.I.N. Janes. Where the first in this series dealt with the Janes learning to have confidence in themselves, and doing something they believed in, this one takes place a year later and as Valentine's Day is approaching the Janes realize they want to find love and happiness.
The Janes are:
Jane - DramaticJane
Jayne - BrainJayne
Polly Jane - SportyJane
Jane - MainJane
MainJane is still dealing with the aftermath of being near ground zero of a terrorist attack. She is getting better but her mother is getting worse. All of Janes' art is an attempt to bring her mother back out of her shell. I liked this story but enjoyed the first one more. This one does go into greater depth about relationships and overcoming adversity. It is a good story by a gifted writer. It really is a pity that DC Comic discontinued this MINX line; they were supposed to be heralding in a new era of graphic novels, novels written with girls as the main audience, with strong female characters that could be role models. The line was announced in 2006, with much fanfare, but was cancelled part way into 2008, thus leaving that target audience again under-represented in North America. But the 13 books in the line that were released all look interesting, and like the type of book I will want to share with my daughter as she grows up. This is a shining example of that sentiment.
The Janes are:
Jane - DramaticJane
Jayne - BrainJayne
Polly Jane - SportyJane
Jane - MainJane
MainJane is still dealing with the aftermath of being near ground zero of a terrorist attack. She is getting better but her mother is getting worse. All of Janes' art is an attempt to bring her mother back out of her shell. I liked this story but enjoyed the first one more. This one does go into greater depth about relationships and overcoming adversity. It is a good story by a gifted writer. It really is a pity that DC Comic discontinued this MINX line; they were supposed to be heralding in a new era of graphic novels, novels written with girls as the main audience, with strong female characters that could be role models. The line was announced in 2006, with much fanfare, but was cancelled part way into 2008, thus leaving that target audience again under-represented in North America. But the 13 books in the line that were released all look interesting, and like the type of book I will want to share with my daughter as she grows up. This is a shining example of that sentiment.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Again, this is a cute top story with some seriousness underneath. All the Janes are secretly pining after someone, and a girls-ask-the-guys dance prompts them to act on their feelings. Main Jane is crushing on Damon, but afraid to talk to him after his arrest for her art attack. Miroslaw (formerly John Doe) is awake, and he and Jane exchange letters and care packages. He inspires Jane to apply for an art grant to make the P.L.A.I.N. Janes legit. Meanwhile another attack in Metro City scares Jane's mom into never leaving the house. In an effort to get her to come out, Jane's dad refuses to go in. Neither seems to notice that Jane isn't fairing well. And then Jane hears back from the grant people and has to sneak into Metro City to present her portfolio. Da da dum.
In this installment, the Janes are joined by James, the lone gay guy who was a walking stereotype in the last book. He gets to be a much more complete character here with interests beyond being uber-gay. Still, he bemoans the lack of gay guys in Kent Waters as the rest of the Janes set their sights on their dream guys. He doesn't get the happily ever after that some of the Janes do, but he does get to ogle the whole (hot) guys' basketball team. And no one thinks it's gross! James also plays a very important role when Main Jane starts to receive letters from a Secret Admirer. SPOILER: When it turns out that these letters might be from a girl, James has a little talk with Jane about how to let Secret Admirer down easy, emphasizing that Jane should do everything in her power to not make Secret Admirer feel weird for crushing on another girl. This little tidbit is added in without making any kind of a big deal or turning into too much of a "teaching moment." James' concern is genuine and natural. End Spoiler.
The Janes all deal with a little heartbreak, being in love will do that, and it brings them closer. Example:
"The thing about having a good true friend is that it's ok if you cry so hard that snot runs down your face. Because their arms are strong and their heartbeat is loud ... and you can be your smallest and ugliest in front of them."
p.53
Initially they were friends because they had no one else, then because they shared their passion for the P.L.A.I.N. Janes. Now they're just friends, who still sit together for lunch and sometimes dress in all black to put in a midnight art installation.
Book 1: The Plain Janes
Book source: Philly Free Library
In this installment, the Janes are joined by James, the lone gay guy who was a walking stereotype in the last book. He gets to be a much more complete character here with interests beyond being uber-gay. Still, he bemoans the lack of gay guys in Kent Waters as the rest of the Janes set their sights on their dream guys. He doesn't get the happily ever after that some of the Janes do, but he does get to ogle the whole (hot) guys' basketball team. And no one thinks it's gross! James also plays a very important role when Main Jane starts to receive letters from a Secret Admirer. SPOILER: When it turns out that these letters might be from a girl, James has a little talk with Jane about how to let Secret Admirer down easy, emphasizing that Jane should do everything in her power to not make Secret Admirer feel weird for crushing on another girl. This little tidbit is added in without making any kind of a big deal or turning into too much of a "teaching moment." James' concern is genuine and natural. End Spoiler.
The Janes all deal with a little heartbreak, being in love will do that, and it brings them closer. Example:
"The thing about having a good true friend is that it's ok if you cry so hard that snot runs down your face. Because their arms are strong and their heartbeat is loud ... and you can be your smallest and ugliest in front of them."
p.53
Initially they were friends because they had no one else, then because they shared their passion for the P.L.A.I.N. Janes. Now they're just friends, who still sit together for lunch and sometimes dress in all black to put in a midnight art installation.
Book 1: The Plain Janes
Book source: Philly Free Library
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Valentine's Day for the Janes
The Janes are back at it. A bust at New Year's won't hold them back. They know that art saves, and their town needs saving. Of course, their hearts need saving too. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Brittany Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love these books!
The Jane books are so delightful - they are beautifully written and drawn and are sort of like a G-rated Love and Rockets - you can share with your kids!
Published on January 11, 2011 by LLCundiff
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
In this second installment of the PLAIN JANES series, the gang is looking for new ways to spread art around the community.
Problems are looming on the horizon, though. Read more
Problems are looming on the horizon, though. Read more
Published on August 12, 2009 by TeensReadToo
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