The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg

Reason for Reading: Graphic Novel Challenge, Dewey Reading Challenge, New Author Challenge

Noted young adult novelist Cecil Castellucci and artist Jim Rugg launch MINX with THE PLAIN JANES, a story about four girls named Jane who sit at the reject table at lunch.When transfer student Jane is forced to move from the confines of Metro City to Suburbia, she thinks her life is over.But there in the lunch room at the reject table she finds her tribe: three other girls named Jane. Main Jane encourages them to form a secret art gang and paint the town P.L.A.I.N. -- People Loving Art In Neighborhoods.But can art attacks really save the hell that is high school?

Dear Dewey,

I wish I had taken more notice back when you reviewed this book, because I was really missing out! It surprised me how much I liked this graphic novel. I am very strict about my graphic novel buying, but I think I might actually buy this one! Not just for the fact that I like it, but because the library doesn't have the sequel and I am probably going to want to read that at some point! This book might not look like much, but when you get inside the pages you find a hidden gem! I am not a huge art fanatic, I will clear that up right now, but I know how horrible high school can be! I think most people can attest to that. The authors of this graphic novel have just came up with a way to make life a little bit better for four young women named Jane. You see, they may fly under the radar, so you might think they are plain, but it is actually P.L.A.I.N.: People Loving Art in Neighborhoods. The things that these women do is actually sort of inspiring, even if the town doesn't think so!

This book actually reminded me of you! Especially now as I am reading your review and writing this letter. Main Jane was all about building a community, when those that were in charge (including her parents) would rather live in fear. While the circumstances are not the same exactly, you were all about community-building, too. Your community building lives on, and hypothetically speaking, the events in this book will, too! Jane finds a way to bring her town together; while you find a way to bring book bloggers and readers from all over the world together. I really enjoyed that parallel. Jane changes the way that people look at things, and you changed the way that people read. Book bloggers can be just as unpopular as the members of P.L.A.I.N., you know. It really makes a person think!

I really liked your last paragraph, so I am going to close with quoting it:

In fact, once it’s discovered who P.L.A.I.N. is, Jane’s new friends try to decide how to restructure themselves now that they’re no longer anonymous. Jane ends by saying, “Of course we can still be an art girl gang.” And she thinks, “I feel a fierce pride. This is my tribe.”

Until next time...

To read Dewey's review of this book, click here.