The Plain Janes

Castellucci, Cecil. The Plain Janes. Illustrated by Jim Rugg. Minx, 2007. Paperback $9.99, ISBN 13 978-1-4012-1115-8

What’s it about?

Jane transfers to a new school in the suburbs and meets a group of girls at the misfit table—all also named Jane. Together, they form the group P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art in Neighborhoods) and breathe life into their stuffy town by creating random artwork around the neighborhood.  

Find out more:

When Jane survives a bomb attack in Metro City, her parents decide the city is too dangerous and move to the stultifying suburbs. Jane makes herself over, decides that that popular crowd is not where she belongs anymore, and plants herself at the loser table, where she meets three girls, also named Jane. They aren’t exactly welcoming. After the Janes warm up to her, an idea stirs in Main Jane and together with the Janes, she forms a group called P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art in Neighborhoods). The “art attacks” are seen as threatening to authority figures, and participating may even land teens in a juvenile detention facility. These ridiculous threats inspire classmates to become involved in the art attacks and this ends up uniting classmates, formerly fixated in rigid cliques.

The artwork of this graphic novel reminds me a bit of the art of Clowes’ Ghost World.  The books have some similarities, but the subversion of Main Jane, however, is not mean-spirited like Enid’s.  The message of Plain Janes is the power of art, the power of expressing oneself, and the power of communication.  The community was a stifling place for creativity, but Jane’s influence helped breathe life into her classmates.  This is a novel about having the bravery to stand up for ones beliefs, and to be a non-conformist, even if it is uncomfortable, even if others feel threatened.

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction, Friendship Fiction

Subjects: Survivors, Art, High school, Misfits, Conformity, Friendship, Moving

Reading level/ Interest level: Grades 7-12

Read-alikes:

Gulledge’s Page by Paige

For adults and older teens: Clowes’ Ghost World

Series information:

Janes in Love