Jane’s parents move her to the safety of a small town halfway across the country after a terrorist attack hits Metro City. Jane is eager to establish a new identity at Buzz Aldrin High School in the small town where she now lives. She cuts her hair short and eschews the kids at the popular table. Instead she chooses to sit with the table of perennial losers, who all turn out to be named Jane, too. As she gets to know them, she learns that each one has a talent: one is theatrical, one is brainy, and one is athletic. And all of them are outsiders. Main Jane is determined to change things, not just for the Janes but for the entire bland town. She forms an avant-garde guerrilla art group called P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art in Neighborhoods), and she and the other Janes surreptitiously create art installations around the town under the cover of night. No one suspects the Plain Janes. But their art attacks become increasingly risky once the police and school principal make it their mission to catch the culprits. Cecil Castellucci’s first graphic novel is both funny and serious in its depiction of our post–9/11 world where conformity is too often equated with security. Much of the humor comes from Jim Rugg’s illustrations, which perfectly capture the sense of adolescent ennui and enthusiasm. Ultimately, the book’s message is about the transformative and healing power of art, and the role outsiders have always played in bringing that message to the masses. (Ages 13–16)

Written by Cecil Castellucci Art and cover by Jim Rugg When a transfer student named Jane is forced to move from the cool 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? Advance-solicited; in stores May 16 - 176 pg, 5.25" x 8", B & W, $9.99 US Edited by Shelly Bond PRODUCT UPDATE (080107): Plain Janes was erroneously listed on the July 18 Order Status Report as a stripped cover return. In fact, this book is eligible for full copy returns only, beginning August 15. Retailers will be notified of the title's status on the Order Status Reports that accompany their August 15 invoicing. Diamond apologizes for any confusion created by this error. Retailers with additional questions should contact their Diamond Customer Service Representative.