Brosgol, Vera. Plain Jane and the Mermaid. First Second, 2024. 978-1-250-31485-7. 368 p. $14.99. Grades 5-8.
Set in the Victorian Era, Brosgol creates a new fairy tale adventure complete with a brave, determined heroine who must save her would-be fiance from the dark depths of the sea. The story opens with the loss of Jane’s parents and the horrible choice of either becoming homeless and destitute or finding a husband. She proposes to the village’s most attractive boy, Peter, who subsequently is lured into the water by a devious mermaid. Seeking assistance from one of the village’s elder women, who may or may not be a witch, Jane must find the courage to travel into the sea and save Peter. This story feels familiar. However, Brosgol challenges the idea that beauty equals good and ugly equals evil often seen in traditional fairy tales, leaving readers with the knowledge that even “plain” girls can have fantastic adventures, learn to love themselves for who they are, and be the heroes of their own stories.
THOUGHTS: I absolutely loved this book and finished it in one sitting. Brosgol is a favorite author/illustrator, and Plain Jane and the Mermaid is my favorite of her books thus far. The illustrations are gorgeous and beautifully captures her character’s emotions. Highly recommended for all middle grade students.
Graphic Novel
Fantasy
Plain Jane and the Mermaid follows our main character who starts the graphic novel with the death of her parents. Because there is no male heir, Jane is going to be kicked out of her childhood home. Jane is determined to propose to James who is just perfect (in her eyes) and just as he agrees he gets stolen by a mermaid. Jane decides she is going to rescue James and what follows is an adventure under the sea that allows Jane to see herself as she really is versus how everyone else sees her.
THOUGHTS: This was a wonderfully told story about accepting yourself and loving yourself, no matter what others think. I loved Jane’s character arc, and it felt so authentic and true to the character we grew to know and love. This is a great addition to any middle school collection.
Graphic Novel