Module 10

SLIS 5420/ Module 10 Aug 9-13

Books read:
"The Plain Janes" by Cecil Castellucci
"Forever" by Judy Blume

"The Plain Janes"

Summary:Four girls name Jane form a secret club called P.L.A.I.N- People Loving Art in the Neighborhood. They hope that this help save them from high school and all the pain it has caused them.

My Impressions: I am not really a graphic novel reader, but I really liked this story. It was different than other graphic novels I read this week in the fact that it is all in black and white, which i thought was interesting. I liked the story and may go get the next book in the series now.

Reviews:
The Plain Janes is not a perfect book. Jane's mother evinces nothing beyond paranoia and irrational fear, and though it is understandable, a few extra pages could've added some balance and made her histrionics more relatable. Although her fear is believable, particularly given her circumstances, she never displays any traits beyond screeching paranoia and, consequently, never feels like more than a cipher. Fortunately, Jane's father provides a more balanced parental voice, particularly in the "grounding" scene. Similarly, Officer Sanchez's McCarthyist antagonism to the PLAIN attacks is too shallow, coming across as a caricature, a bullying authority figure whose only purpose is to repress.

Nevertheless, The Plain Janes overcomes its occasional surface shortcoming with a sound theme that speaks to today's readers, engaging storytelling by Rugg, and charming characters who engage the imagination. It's a promising opening salvo for the Minx line, and if the future projects follow the The Plain Janes' example, the entire line should find a comfortable niche in the Young Adult marketplace. by MattBrady
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=103509

The Plain Janes
By Leroy Douresseaux
Jun 8, 2007 - 7:02:03 AM

The Lowdown: Upon first glance, the teen characters in The Plain Janes might seem like stereotypes, and while each one is of a well-worn teen fiction type, there is, of course, a method to writer Cecil Castellucci’s madness. Using such familiar characters allows the author a clear path to expressing ideas and themes. That the Janes and the other Buzz Aldrin students seem familiar helps the writer engage readers with the characters while she can use the overall story to delve deeper into such issues as acceptance, friendship, first love, fear, and self-determination.

Of course, the Janes and the student body come across as naïve. In spite of their personal fears and struggles, their optimism here is exceptionally refreshing in a world where even “family entertainment” is rife with innuendo and unimaginative cynicism. Of the many things, this book says, one is “the children, with their creativity and curiosity, are our future, so let’s mortgage that future by teaching them fear, ignorance, and blind obedience and then, insisting that they learn that in place of hope and potential.”

Rugg superbly captures all the nuances in mood and atmosphere in Castellucci’s story. From the naked fear of Jane’s mother and the bullying insistence of Officer Sanchez to “TheatreJane’s” pretentious flair and “SportyJane’s” tough, but smooth tomboyish persona, Rugg finds the unique accent within each of Castellucci’s seemingly typecast characters. Rugg also nicely balances the light and dark elements of the setting and story.

For readers of: Although geared towards female YA, anyone who likes “Freaks and Geeks” may very well like this. The Plain Janes is also a young cousin of Daniel Clowes’ essential graphic novel, Ghost World, so some fans of alt-comix could have love for this. Although occasionally rough around the edges, this is a treat that left me wanting more.

A-

http://www.comicbookbin.com/theplainjanes001.html

Uses: This is a great book to get any YAs started reading graphic novels. Graphic novels are becoming more and more popular but I think this one is actually appropriate to the age group intended.

Castellucci, Cecil. (2007). "The Plain Janes". New York, NY: D.C. Comics.

"Forever"

Summary: Katherine falls in love for the first time and are completely infatuated with each other. When Kath goes away that summer and meets someone else she and Michael will finally see if their relationship was really supposed to last..... FOREVER.

My impressions: I love this story because I can relate to it. I fell in love in high school and thought it was going to last forever and well it didn't. I can see why this book is censored because of all the language and sexual input but I think it still is a wonderful book.

Reviews:

A novel most likely found hidden deep in teenage girls' sock drawers, along with other coming-of-age secrets, Forever (1975;Bradbury) is the tale of an eighteen-year old heroine's first sexual experience. Written, like many of Blume's novels, in simple, colloquial, almost diary-like language, Forever begins in that most perilous of times: summer vacation after 11th grade. Virginal Katherine meets a more "experienced" Michael and they move slowly along the path towards premarital defilement. Throughout the story Katherine and Michael's sexual orientation is guided by like-minded friends and when they mutually agree to have sex, they are sure it will seal a love that is "forever."

The novel's frank treatment of adolescent sexuality broke many barriers in terms of mid-70s American mainstream literature. The female protagonist's independent approach to her sexual desire is highlighted when she visits the Planned Parenthood clinic and goes on the pill. Still a controversial subject at the time in American high schools this was deemed a "dangerous promotion of sexual promiscuity" in teenagers. A high school librarian in Schaumburg, Illinois said the book is "basically a sexual 'how-to-do' book for junior-high students" and promptly removed it from the school library.

Despite her efforts and notoriety, Blume's books are still being removed from library shelves across America. As recently as 2005 in Pasadena, Texas a parent's complaint concerning Forever resulted in the book being removed from the city's school libraries. In northern California, the same year, a 6-year-old student was charged with sexual harassment for bringing her copy of Forever to school to lend a friend. -Jordan Small
http://smallswordsmagazine.com/articles/text/judyblumeforever.html

Children's Literature

More than thirty years ago, Judy Blume's sensational teen romance debuted to much controversy. A candid account of young love that provides details about everything from a young couple's first meeting through sexual curiosity, exploration, and activity, this book is as relevant for teens today as it was to teens in the seventies. From the moment Katherine and Michael meet at a friend's party, the sparks fly. Although they attend different schools, the pair get together every chance they can, and their relationship deepens. Before long, things are getting serious: they are thinking about sex, talking about sex, and planning for sex. It feels like they will be together forever. Then, summer comes, and family plans pull them apart. They write each other often and plan to reunite as soon as they can, but life—and love—can be unexpected. While employed as a camp counselor, Katherine meets Theo. She is surprised by the attraction she feels for him. What do such feelings say about love? Commitment? Forever? Michael? Modern readers may giggle at the lack of cell phones and other modern accoutrements, but they are sure to be drawn into this time-tested tale of first love.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Forever/Judy-Blume/e/9781416934004

Uses: This book is banned in some libraries but it is a great book to show censorship. It is obvious why this book is banned but with the way society is today and how young children are getting with knowing about sexuality maybe this book would be good for YAs to read so they could see what can happen and that its not always going to last FOREVER.

Blume, Judy. (1975). "Forever". New York, NY: Pocket Books.