Sunday, December 5, 2010

Module 6 LS 5623 The Plain Janes


Book cover image from Amazon.com

THE PLAIN JANES
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Castellucci, Cecil and Rugg, Jim. 2007. THE PLAIN JANES. New York: DC Comics. ISBN 9781404211158.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Jane is moved to suburbia from Metro City after she is injured in a 9/11 type bombing of a cafe. As she reevaluates her life, she begins high school, determined not to be so complacent. Through a series of letters to a comatose John Doe she met at the hospital after the attack, Jane documents her life. She befriends a group of "loners" who all happen to be named Jane, thus her "tribe" begins. There is brainy Jayne, athletic wanna be Polly Jane, and dramatic Jane. This group of misfits begins a group called P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art in Neighborhoods), and it is in plotting and carrying out their plans to help people "find something beautiful everyday" that each girl gains the confidence to realize her own dream.

3. CRITICAL ANAYLSIS
This graphic, young adult novel was developed to appeal to teen girls. True to its form, this novel will appeal to reluctant readers, too, "It’s sparsely worded, but the art depicts scenes with a mastery of teen life"(KLIATT Review). This first person narrative is believable and true to teen language "this sucks". Each stereotypical high school cliche is represented by a believable character: the rebel, the jock, the drama queen, the misunderstood loner, the genius, the mean girl, and even the student who has "come out". What isn't stereotypical is that this isn't a cute little novel happening in the typical high school fashion: "Ultimately, the book’s message is about the transformative and healing power of art, and the role outsiders have always played in bringing that message to the masses" (Cooperative Children's Book Choices).

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
From Library Media Connection: "This book represents an excellent blend of YA fiction and graphic novel, and is destined to be very popular with junior high and high school students."

From Booklist: "Cecil Castellucci’s first graphic novel is both funny and serious in its depiction of our post–9/11 world where conformity is too often equated with security. Much of the humor comes from Jim Rugg’s illustrations, which perfectly capture the sense of adolescent ennui and enthusiasm."

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