Teen graphic novel. I get the feeling the first one was better. I wasn't entirely lost without having read The Plain Janes, but it was distracting to have to figure out who everyone was and why they were friends, and what might have happened to traumatize the main character so. The other thing that makes me think the first one might have been better is that all the characters in this book seem to spend the entire time whining about their lack of love-lives (yes I know it's a teen book and that's what teens spend a lot of their time thinking about, but still). ( )

I think I like this even better than the first (though that weird pheromone scene was out of place). It delved more deeply into various issues--art, love, friendship, and mental illness. ( )

The Janes are at it again, creating art and beauty on the sly but they finally get caught and must do community service. But art cannot be contained and neither can love as several of the Janes seek boyfriends. The main Jane must also cope with her mother who's become reclusive after receiving bad news; an art grant application process; and balancing the attentions of Riswan and Damon. The main Jane is wrought with much angst, enough to make me say "snap out of it!" But she is a teenager and that's how they are. ( )

It's a very charming series. The Janes are great! ( )

In this sequel to The Plain Janes, which follows almost immediately on the action from the first graphic novel, Valentine's Day is approaching leading the Janes to focus on their relationships - or lack thereof. Main Jane's sort-of crush Damon is doing community service since he got caught at the New Year's art attack. Then, after all the Janes but Theater Jane get caught performing their next art attack, main Jane begins to question whether what they're doing is right if it gets everyone in trouble. Miroslaw, the Polish boy Jane helped save during the Metro City bomb incident, inspires Jane to try legitimizing her street art by getting grant support, but convincing others that the art attacks constitute real art is an uphill battle. In the meantime, thanks to an anthrax scare, main Jane's mom won't leave the house. What's a Jane to do?

Definitely not a stand-alone episode, Janes in Love will be most appreciated by those who have read the first graphic novel recently. The characters remain nicely rounded with realistic strengths and weaknesses for teenagers. This feels like there's plans for another following story (maybe with main Jane in Poland for the summer?), but with publisher Minx folding, I'm not sure how that would work.

Previously read January 21, 2009. Just noticed upon re-reading that the flyers advertising the dance were for an Ides of March dance, but the banner at the dance claims it's a Leap Day Dance - a minor, but odd, inconsistancy. ( )