I mean. First off, I want to know where the hell this kind of story was when I was growing up as a fat girl, constantly fielding the message that nothing about me defined my value except my weight and my looks, and that nothing I could do with my life would be as important as becoming skinny. If I can't offer this book to my own childhood self, at least I can recommend it to other kids — not just girls, and not just fat kids, but people in general, because it tells such a convincing and heartfelt story that applies (as such book should) to anyone who feels unlovable, invisible, and rejected for any reason.

But positive messaging aside, this is a really satisfying story in a vein I'm personally pretty addicted to, the story of the mundane girl who enters a magical world where she has no obvious advantages or abilities, then learns to make her personality into a power. It's a story full of surprises and twists, including some extremely satisfying "Oh wait, but what if I just…" solutions to knotty problems. Jane, the protagonist of the title, embarks on a quest into the depths of the ocean for one set of reasons, and inevitably finds a different and better set of reasons. The whole book is full of clever shifts, all with the tone of a very practical fairy tale, the T. Kingfisher kind that combines a blunt, straightforward protagonist with a weird, colorful situation, then keeps bumping those two elements up against each other until something breaks. Very enjoyable, and the vividly colorful, sharp art contributes a lot to the matter-of-fact tone of the story.

Despite the man-eating mermaids, this is such a sweet and grounded story.

Jane is so relatable and it's because she is so plain. Having a not-so-special MC is delightful. There's some cute plot twists that for some reason I never saw coming. I love that this book tackles how idolizing beauty can be problematic. It doesn't matter if its a man or a woman, people are more than their looks. Also, points for touching on how aging is natural and should not be something to be feared. Also, points for scary mermaids. And selkies. There's not enough selkie rep out there.

The artwork is solid.

Overall, I can't wait to have this book on my shelves, as I know I've got plenty of readers for it!

Jane is considered unattractive, and treated poorly because of it, but the good-looking Peter could save her from losing her home if he agrees to marry her. Too bad he was just kidnapped by a beautiful mermaid. Jane, with the help of a mysterious old lady, sets off to rescue him, but on the way she encounters water demons, selkies, and a monstrous giant fish. An incredible middle grade graphic novel that imparts a much needed commentary on the way looks, both attractive and unattractive, are treated in our society. I'm definitely ordering this for my library!

In this fictional world, women are not allowed to own property, and Jane finds out that the loss of her parents will lead to additional hardship. Our main character is frequently teased for being deemed less attractive (plain/average) and heavier. She is faced with a predicament: Jane must either marry soon, or lose the house to her father's cousin. Jane asks a local boy, Peter, to marry her so that he doesn't have to work for his dad (which he does not enjoy doing), and so she doesn't lose the house. Peter initially agrees but then wanders off after feeling objectified when Jane comments on his appearance. He meets a mermaid that drags him underwater, and the adventures ensue. A lovely graphic novel that will appeal to middle grade and young adult audiences.

Now this is a great story. All about inner beauty and what is important in life. Family and love. It was great.

This book was enchanting and inventive, and an absolute joy to read! At times I thought it would be predictable but it always twisted in a way I didn't expect.

Plain Jane and the Mermaid is a fantasy graphic novel about a recently orphaned girl named Jane who is about to lose her inheritance and home because she's an unmarried girl. Jane hatches a plan to marry her long-time crush in order to keep her inheritance but he is kidnapped by a mermaid, prompting Jane to journey below the sea to save him. The characters are so enjoyable to watch interact and the art is lovely. I think this will be a big hit with middle grade readers who love graphic novels or fantasy.

When Jane finds out she is going to lose her inheritance because she is not a boy, she sets out to ask her long-time crush, Peter, to marry her. The only problem is that Jane is not considered attractive and Peter is the most attractive boy in the village.
Instead of getting engaged, Jane suddenly finds herself to save Peter when he is kidnapped by a mermaid with nefarious plans.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun story with both adventure and a lesson to be learned (by Jane and presumably by the reader).

I loved this book! The art is fantastic, and the story is so endearing and engaging! My family is Czech, and I loved seeing the Vodnik! He made me giggle, and I was excited to see one included in the story. I appreciated that part of the story focused on how beauty isn't everything. Character and actions mean more than superficial looks. I'm definitely going to be purchasing this title upon release.

Fantastic read! The art was gorgeous! My fifth graders will love the story and the message it has. I particularly loved all the folklore presented in this graphic novel—selkies, mermaids with teeth. A must for my classroom library!

I wasn't sure about this book in the beginning, but I ended up really liking it. The art is beautiful, and I did like the story. I loved the reveal at the end! I was definitely unsure of certain characters in the beginning, so I am pleased that things ended up the way they did. I love the aspects of folklore that are woven into the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved everything about this! It was so fun. I enjoyed the art, the characters, the message, and all the nods to different mermaid and Russian legends. I had been looking forward to this graphic novel since it was announced in 2021 and I was not disappointed.

A graphic novel with a classic folklore feeling, mixed with mermaids with teeth and a lovable heroine who rescues the boy. I really enjoyed the discussion about perfection and beauty in this book, it was surprisingly deep and heartfelt. The ending (and twist!) was especially sweet, and was a new spin on the usual happily-ever-after of a fairy tale. Jane was fantastic and brave, but also realistic in that she grew into her bravery. This novel has hints of a romance between Jane and another character, which places it inbetween middle grade and teen for me. I would give it to someone was specifically looking for a book with this level of romance.

This one surprised me in more ways than one.
I asked for this one because I love mermaids, good or bad or morally grey, it doesn't really matter.
But I was afraid that I was not going to like the art-style and the colouring.
So I was pleasantly surprise that I in fact did like the art and colouring!

Next surprise was the seal, because it could talk and I never saw this comic as a little mermaid kind off storie with talking sidekicks and so. Turns out, it was a selkie and they lived in this beautiful underwater village and they had adopted a small boy which turned out to be the MC's little brother sooo cute!!!!!
The whole story with the sisters and the evil mermaid and their missing sister it was adorable.

When I started reading I told myself only 100 pages and then we go to bed, but instead I finished it in one go.
Really loved it and so recognizable. I know exactly how the MC feels and what she is looking for. In the end though, the MC has grown, I didn't... 😉😆

I love that graphic novels are such a good way to get kids into reading and this one certainly will be going on my list of suggestions!
This was a very sweet and heartwarming story with a gorgeous art style.
I adore mermaid/ocean based stories and this didn’t disappoint.
I appreciate that it was simple in its structure and content as it is for children but I would have loved to see it do a bit more and perhaps challenge other ideas beyond its very clear message.
Overall a really lovely story and great read! I’m keen to see what this author does next.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

This is my third book by Vera Brosgol and the first one I cannot find fault with. The artwork and coloring are spot on. The story and message are engaging and relatable (even in the folklore setting). I did find the fatphobia and bullying hard to read, but they are important to the overall arc of Jane's character.

I would highly recommend it to middle-grade students.

This was a really lovely graphic novel. It tells the story of Jane, who goes deep into the ocean to rescue her friend Peter from evil mermaids. Along the way, she learns to be brave and to love herself. The art was eye-catching.

Jane has been overlooked and unloved for most of her life. Her parents found her a disappointment, and let her know they felt she was overweight and homely. When they pass in an accident, the only home Jane has ever known will instead pass to a distant relative instead of her, since she is 'just' a woman. She tries to take matters into her own hands and proposes to the vain beautiful boy she has been watching her whole life. But when he is stolen by a mermaid, Jane vows to rescue him. What starts as an unrequited love story becomes an adventure that leads Jane to a place where she can save herself.

Another graphic novel winner from the author of Be Prepared and Anya’s Ghost. Jane goes on an ocean adventure complete with mermaids and selkies in order to save a friend and her own estate. Definitely a great feminist tale with beautiful illustrations. I look forward to adding this one to my classroom library.

Vera Brosgol's artwork and story work hand-in-hand to weave an empowering tale of mermaids and believing in yourself even when others just judge your appearance. Great for ages 9-14.