In this sequel to "The Plain Janes," the Janes are back. But when the Janes become entangled in matters of the heart, they discover that in art and...
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Jun 07, 2008
The first PLAIN JANES book was in my top three books I read in 2007 and Cecil Castellucci is AWESOME in general. (I'm a huge fan of her BEIGE). This book definitely wasn't as magical as the first. Then again maybe it's just that I hate sequels AND books with flowers or pink on the cover. (Luckily there wasn't any glitter involved. Phew!) I also love ambiguous endings, so I didn't feel a sequel was needed at all, though I know many folks were begging for it. One of the reasons I loved the first
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Aug 12, 2009
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com
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. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and everyone is looking for a sweetheart for the big dance and pulling their sneak art attacks are getting harder and harder with Officer Sanchez always on the lookout.
Jane still maintains correspondence wi More...
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. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and everyone is looking for a sweetheart for the big dance and pulling their sneak art attacks are getting harder and harder with Officer Sanchez always on the lookout.
Jane still maintains correspondence wi More...
Jan 31, 2009
Jennifer
rated it: 
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 tr
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Aug 05, 2011
Steve
rated it: 
This book kinda just starts. It doesn't make any concessions to the fact that over a year has passed since the release of the first book and we might have forgotten who the characters are and what situations they're in. It's very clear to me that both it and its predecessor were ONE YA book that got "adapted" into a graphic novel by the writer handing the artist a manuscript for a book and letting him do his thing. That's why what makes this book work is Jim Rugg's great art. Read toge
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Jul 22, 2011
Amanda
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I liked this book almost as much as the first one. The same themes are explored, with an additional jaunt into teenage love affairs.
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Jan 05, 2009
Tracey
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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
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Nov 14, 2010
Rebecca
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I didn't like this one as much as the first one--just didn't seem to have the same punch, and I sometimes got confused about what was going on. With two characters and their love lives, I was completely at sea--I didn't remember one character from the first book so I feel as though I never understood her story (or even got her name, if it wasn't another Jane), and the other one had a crush on someone she'd never met for some unexplained reason, so it was really hard to feel anything for that sto
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Jan 16, 2012
Jessica-Robyn
rated it:
The P.L.A.I.N Janes feels a little bit too plain.
While I was reading Janes in Love the sequel to The Plain Janes my overall feeling was "shrug". This was a solid continuation of the previous story, set only days after the final events in the last graphic novel. But for me, this worked more against it then for it. It's just more of the same thing, and although I liked the last book and would recommend it to anyone who's interested, I don't see why this was made as a separat More...
While I was reading Janes in Love the sequel to The Plain Janes my overall feeling was "shrug". This was a solid continuation of the previous story, set only days after the final events in the last graphic novel. But for me, this worked more against it then for it. It's just more of the same thing, and although I liked the last book and would recommend it to anyone who's interested, I don't see why this was made as a separat More...
Dec 02, 2011
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
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Oct 20, 2011
Brittany
rated it:
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. They are all pining away for someone. Officer Sanchez is none to pleased about having more art "vandals"on the loose. When the Janes get shaken up though they know they have to change their approach. Maybe if they can get a grant the town will see them as "real" artists and start to appreciate the beauty all aroun
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Oct 18, 2008
Karin
rated it:
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. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and everyone is looking for a sweetheart for the big dance and pulling their sneak art attacks are getting harder and harder with Officer Sanchez always on the look out.
Jane still maintains correspondence with Miroslaw from the first book. From one of the letters Jane gets More...
Jane still maintains correspondence with Miroslaw from the first book. From one of the letters Jane gets More...
Jun 06, 2008
Abby
rated it:
A decent follow-up to the first one, which I still think is probably the best Minx title so far. This one starts off a month or two after the events of the first volume. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and all the Janes are talking about their love interests. Main Jane isn't sure if she wants to be in love -- art and friendship should be enough, right? As she puts it "making art is my love letter to the world." But she can't shake her feelings for Damon, a boy who took the f
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Jun 11, 2008
randy
rated it:
I got this over the weekend and was really excited when I saw it. I had no business really liking the the 1st book, other than it being a good story with believable characters, but i enjoyed it a lot.
This one seemed rushed in a way The Plain Janes was not. Maybe there was just too much going on for the limits of a minx book. From hearing her talk, I know Cecil Castellucci wants this to be a 4 book series, but maybe 5 books would have been better.
Main Jane is still the mos More...
This one seemed rushed in a way The Plain Janes was not. Maybe there was just too much going on for the limits of a minx book. From hearing her talk, I know Cecil Castellucci wants this to be a 4 book series, but maybe 5 books would have been better.
Main Jane is still the mos More...
Apr 10, 2010
Abbie
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This was a cute sequel. I would have really liked to see some more development of each girls characters, but it was really nice, since most readers would be able to see a little of themselves in each of the janes. And I wish James would have found someone. That would have been nice. But I did enjoy it, not quite as much as the first though, it seemed like it floundered a little between the beginning and end, trying to make their continuing struggle seem new.
Feb 06, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
I LOVE teen love. Not romance- though I am guilty of the occasional indulgence. True love, unrequited love, friend love, queer love, human love; Plain Janes and Janes in Love have it all! P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art In Neighborhoods) is so inspiring (I can't believe I just used that word) they remind me of the youthful enthusiasm to do good we all still have buried somewhere.Now I just need to go out and buy a roll of butcher paper...
Feb 10, 2009
Carrie
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This sequel is just as sweet as the first story about the Janes and their mission to bring life to their town through art. I was very pleased with the way the story continued (especially Jane's relationships with her parents, her friends, and Damon) and the way it came to a beautiful resolution. I highly recommend this graphic novel for a quick read... it'll make you start looking up and appreciating hidden beauty all around you.
Dec 29, 2008
Raina
rated it:
I REALLY like this series. A group of high school misfits (all named Jane), commit "art attacks" around their small town. They are lead by a mod-hipster who recently moved to town to get away from the memories of being part of a bombing in the big city. I love the interplay of high school drama, ripped-from-the-headlines, and art. And the illustration style is fun too!
Do read the first before going for this one, though (The Plain Janes).
Do read the first before going for this one, though (The Plain Janes).
Dec 21, 2009
Erica
rated it:
The Janes are back -- still struggling with all of the issues of being a teen along with fighting for the right to create art in public places. The leader of the PLAIN Janes submits a grant to an arts organization to create the group's biggest installation yet, while struggling with a mother paralyzed by fear, a cop that's out to shut down any fun teens get up to, and keeping an eye on the boy she likes.
This is an empowering read for young women -- it will make you wish you had a gro More...
This is an empowering read for young women -- it will make you wish you had a gro More...
Jul 02, 2009
Melissa
rated it:
The sequel to The Plain Janes, the Janes contine to make public art, negotiate their friendship, and fall in luurve. I liked the first one (knit hats for parking meters!) and the second is more of the same. I particularly enjoyed the flower-y prom stunt and the thought of some artsy teens crashing a stuffy grant interview.
Apr 19, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
Really cute follow up to "The Plain Janes" by Castellucci. I love the theme of art conquering all in this graphic novel. My only criticism would be the stereotypical characters: the gay guy, the theater geek, the science geek, and the jock. I understand that they are exaggerations, and that may be ideal for this medium, but still, it bothered me a little bit. However, the characters were funny!
Dec 14, 2010
Daisy
rated it:
Pretty appealing. And clever.
You want to know what my PROBLEM is? The world sucks and it's killing my mom. I am trying to do something that's worthwhile by making art to make the world BEAUTIFUL but when I do that everyone gets in trouble, or stops talking to me, like you did, and the boy I like stops liking me, so I apply for a grant to use a public space and be all legit and I get the grant but now I have to figure out how to ask the town if I can use a public space AND I'm grou More...
You want to know what my PROBLEM is? The world sucks and it's killing my mom. I am trying to do something that's worthwhile by making art to make the world BEAUTIFUL but when I do that everyone gets in trouble, or stops talking to me, like you did, and the boy I like stops liking me, so I apply for a grant to use a public space and be all legit and I get the grant but now I have to figure out how to ask the town if I can use a public space AND I'm grou More...
Feb 23, 2009
Kate
rated it:
Almost as good as The Plain Janes, which you must read before starting this one. The story of the friends' art crimes is well underway at the beginning of this book. This time, though, love is also a theme. A great comic for teen girls, actually written by a woman! I also know many adult women who appreciate the good books in the Minx series.
Nov 22, 2009
Debbie
rated it:
Book two in the Plain Janes series.
Jane's mother is becoming more and more withdrawn and scared to leave the house. Jane is worried about her family, her friends, and how to find the funds to keep P.L.A.I.N. going. The Valentine's Day dance adds one more layer of stress as Jane tries to manage her love life on top of everything else.
Jane's mother is becoming more and more withdrawn and scared to leave the house. Jane is worried about her family, her friends, and how to find the funds to keep P.L.A.I.N. going. The Valentine's Day dance adds one more layer of stress as Jane tries to manage her love life on top of everything else.
Jul 14, 2010
Steve
rated it:
I like the Janes. This graphic novel gives you hope. Hope in love. Hope in art. Hope in the world. It was kind of odd to me how none of the adults in Kentwater would stand up to the clear bullying of Officer Sanchez. Not being from the States I wondered if this is how it was after 9/11. Were people so cowed and frightened?
May 23, 2010
Lo
rated it:
I love many graphic novels but as with Plain Janes (the first book), these people have WAY too much angst. Angry at everyone and anyone and I am just not that mad at the world to enjoy something like this. Read the whole thing and liked the ending but don't recommend it if you are looking for a happy story. This isn't it.
Feb 06, 2009
Janet
rated it:
Sequal to The Plain Janes advances the story lines satisfyingly. Has a big ending but certainly room for at least one more book in Jane's story (someone has to make a transatlantic trip, after all). It would also be cool to read a volume each from the POV of the other Janes. Read book 1 (The Plain Janes) first.
Feb 13, 2011
Kari
rated it:
A little more teen angsty than the first volume. This time the Valentine's dance is approaching and the Janes haven't gathered the courage to ask the boys they like to accompany them. Meanwhile it's getting harder and harder for P.L.A.I.N. to bring art to the neighborhood so Jane decides it's time for a change of pace.
Feb 11, 2009
Meredith
rated it:
I liked this better than The Plain Janes, probably because I felt like I understood the characters better. And the art is still really awesome. But what was up with the world's orneriest police officer? And I'm sorry, but brainy Jane does not have a big chestal region. Artist fell down on that one!
Dec 16, 2008
Jodysegal
rated it:
In the sequel to The Plain Janes, the Janes and their gang People Loving Art in Neighborhoods, continue to spread the love and the art. Love and the police complicate matters this time. While somewhat less interesting this time around, I still really like what Castellucci and Rugg have created.
Mar 17, 2009
Mark
rated it:
Another good entry from Cciel Castellucci, but I really didn't enjoy it as much as the first. Maybe that's just me, but something got lost between books 1 and 2; this is not to say that Janes in Love is not good, or is not a fantastic example of what is possible when an author writes a graphic novel with female leads, without clearly angling for female readers. It is a good novel, just not great. The story picks up soon after The Plain Janes ends, with Jane and her friends spreading art aroun
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