This was such a great story! It involves kidnapping by mermaids, selkies, crones, and magic. I loved all of the characters and the artwork is fantastic. I would highly recommend checking this book out!

In addition to the clear Hans Christian Andersen "The Little Mermaid" retelling elements, Plain Jane and the Mermaid has a strong sense of other fairy tales like Charles Perrault's "Toads and Diamonds," but with the additional benefit that the virtuous protagonist is a) not conventionally beautiful and b) has to process issues of self-doubt. I also very much appreciated that while the majority of the characters were able to see the value of a life beyond the superficial, not every character embraced the philosophy or found redemption. Sure to resonate with both old school fairy tale fans and readers of contemporary retellings.

I fear I just might not be the right target demographic for this. It just fell completely flat to me. It was extremely simple, extremely surface level, and repetetive. I did really like art, and the concept was decent as well, but the execution was just lacking for me.

A great, slightly spooky fantasy graphic novel! When Jane's parents die and her cousin inherits the house, she has to find a new home but her prospective fiancé gets taken by a mermaid and she must go venture to save him. A good mix of both adventure and character development, with lots of conversations about inner vs outer beauty and self-worth. I also really enjoyed the art as I always do with Brosgol's books.

I think this will appeal to readers 10+ and well into the teens since it deals with some mature topics (but still at an appropriate level).

Jane Brown is used to people not giving her the time of day. In her small fishing village, the townspeople make fun of her plain appearance, her freckles, and her weight. Even her own parents taunt her for her appearance and rarely give her the time of day. After her parent's sudden death, Jane faces eviction from her family home unless she can marry and then inherit her dowry. She proposes marriage to the beautiful but shallow fisherman Peter, who is promptly kidnapped by a mermaid. Desperate to save Peter, Jane journeys to the bottom of the ocean where she encounters dangers and trials around every turn. Rescued from death (again and again) by a delightfully cranky seal, Jane is determined to continue on in her quest to save Peter even when her own future seems uncertain.

This reimaging of 'The Little Mermaid' is a delightfully tongue-in-cheek graphic novel for upper middle grade readers. Jane is a protagonist that readers will cheer for, especially as she gains confidence in herself and becomes a capable hero. Filled with underwater monsters both terrifying and hilarious, the fantasy world of this book is sound and is brought to life by Brosgol's excellent panel work.

Ever feel like a Plain Jane in our current culture of airbrushed and filtered images? Love to read about the mysteries under the sea? Jump into this new graphic novel from Vera Brosgol. Jane is faced with a classic Victorian-age dilemma. Her family estate goes to the male heir. She has nothing unless she marries well. And time is short. Her choice of husbands, Peter, is kidnapped by a mermaid in front of her eyes. With a little help here and there and a lot of moxie, Janes sets out to get her man. Along the way she just may discover that plain on the outside is irrelevant when compared to her breathtakingly beautiful inside. An exciting and enlightening read.

Thank you to First Second Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this middle grade graphic novel about inner beauty and courage! It has a very fairy-tale-like vibe, but with a new spin and focus. There is a great sense of humor throughout, but also the grief of not being seen or appreciated. A great read for all ages and genders.

Oh my gosh, this book is absolutely brilliant! It takes some familiar fairytale tropes and flips them on their heads in a way that makes them both funny and thoughtful. The illustrations show such a broad range of expressions. I loved the seal’s faces! He’s got these dark eyebrows and grumpy expressions that hint at so much underneath.

I love that Jane is not the pretty girl, and she knows it, but she wants so much to believe that she has more value than how she looks, even when she keeps getting the opposite message from even the well-meaning people in her life. This is one of those stories that doesn’t feel immediately female-centered, but it really is. I liked the way that the story developed or used its female relationships to show how toxic relationships harm one another, but loving (nonromantic, in this case) relationships strengthen and empower us.


It also models loving relationships that protect one another without infringing on one another’s autonomy. I liked that the story didn’t depend on tropes about the handsome prince but left room for there to be more to that character, as well.

PLAIN JANE AND THE MERMAID takes all those great elements and puts them together in this magical way that allows it to become more than the sum of its parts. I loved the way it integrates modern and classic fairytale elements to create something utterly engrossing and not preachy about its message.

I’m trying to limit my graphic novel purchases this year because of space constraints, but this is one I really need to have on my shelf.

Post date: May 6, 2024

Loved the illustrations and the fairytale-like lore! Vera Brosgol created another great graphic novel that readers will love and cherish.

The artwork in this graphic novel would get five stars if that were all I was rating. I always appreciate the author’s notes that explain the genesis for books, and learning that Vera Brosgol wrote this book as a form of therapy for herself and her fear of the ocean was very interesting. I also liked the overall message that what lies on the surface is not all there is to see. However, the story itself fell a little short for me. I’m not exactly sure what I wanted, but ultimately, it just wasn’t for me.

Brosgol has done it again! Herre's another great book reminding all to love yourself, shortcomings and all.
It is a story thematically stressing the importance of resilience and independence. Readers will love the vivid and colorful artwork alongside the satisfying plot. Great addition to the author's body of works.

Vera Brosgol does it again!! I'm already such a huge fan of her work and this honestly might be my favorite of her books yet (though The Little Guys is a tough one to go up against). The art is lovely (I really loved the extra sketches and notes on the art in the back) and the story was one I immediately fell into. And then I gobbled up the whole book in one sitting because I could not put it down! Just a lovely book about looking past appearances, with some aquatic folklore thrown in.

Another winner for Brosgol. Her fans and new readers alike will find something here in Jane's extraordinary hero's journey. Her determination, heart, and adventurous spirit keep this graphic novel moving along. And the sass- the sass is phenomenal.

The plot features fairy-tale touchstones and blends of mythologies that make it feel fresh and different from your ordinary mermaid tale. A great read- and one I look forward to recommending.

Jane is a plain and plump young woman who most of the town looks down on even though her parents are wealthy. When they die in a freak accident, Jane is left with practically nothing since women cannot own property, and the only male heir (her little brother) died by drowning about 5 years prior. A nasty estranged cousin will inherit the property and he intends to kick Jane out of the only home she's ever known. Her only solution is to find someone to marry very quickly, though her parents had been trying to marry her off with no luck for quite some time already. Jane proposes to the pretty boy she has a crush on, telling him that if they marry, he won't ever have to work again because of her family fortune, and he agrees. Immediately after that, he is taken by a mermaid who intends to marry him, among other things, so that she can remain young and beautiful. Jane rushes off for help, but no one will listen except one eccentric old crone, who gives Jane everything she needs to follow the mermaid and save Peter. Of course, things don't go as planned, and Jane learns about herself and makes some new friends on her journey. Ultimately a story about loving yourself for who you are, rejecting silly rules made up and followed by society, and developing healthy relationships, this is a story that belongs on all library shelves. An author's note addresses society's obsession with superficial beauty and how impactful seeing a plain, average hero can be. The art is wonderful and delightfully expressive. Readers of all ages with adore Jane and her friends.

A delightful story with a solid message. I like that it goes beyond beauty is only skin deep and is more about all people’s intrinsic value and worthiness, whether you’re plan, a selkie or maybe a bit dim.

What a beautifully drawn fantastic story! Besides the fact that the character design, style and colouring of Vera Brosgol is perfect (those expressions!) the story is both cute and gripping. Very well done.

Jane has recently lost her parents, and since she is a woman and cannot inherit her home, she comes up with a plan to propose marriage to a boy in town who could use an escape of his own. And when that boy is dragged into the ocean by a mermaid, Jane has no other option but to go in after him. Over the course of three days, Jane has the adventure of a lifetime.

I adored this graphic novel. I was constantly being surprised by new bits of information. No matter what happened I was always rooting for Jane on her adventure; Jane has quite the journey literally as well as figuratively. Jane goes into the ocean with a lack of confidence and no options, but while she's underwater she learns quite a bit about herself and becomes an inspiration for any reader. With themes of family and self, this beautifully designed graphic novel can be enjoyed by anyone.

A great exploration through the both the undersea world and the grasps of vanity and body image on young girls. I thoroughly enjoyed the art style and messages of this book, and I know that young girls who read it will find it both engaging and relatable.

However, I found myself aching for more character development on behalf of Jane and Peter. Though Jane learns to accept her looks and take stock in her achievements, these changes were slight. She remained determined and headstrong throughout the story, and remained virtually the same character in essence from beginning to end. Peter also remains the same and only relies on Jane due to a vital threat to his life.

The commentary about the uselessness and societal pressures of beauty as simply an accepted convention were poignant, but underdeveloped. I imagine this story would be a lovely gateway into the world of self-acceptance for a young person reading it, but not a challenging read for further education on the subject.

Vera Brosgol's work is almost always my favorite of each year. This middle grade book will without a doubt be in the hands of many of my library's tweens. The unique and fun art, the way that folklore is embraced, and the way that Jane's personal journey underscores the finale are all integral to why this story was such a delight.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Vera Brosgol for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I did.

Jane must learn that she is more than others have told her she is and that she should believe and stand up for herself. I am such a fan of Brosgol’s illustrations and this story has such a folklore feel–just a wonderful read.