Planet Janet in Orbit

Planet Janet #2

by Dyan Sheldon

Janet's symbiotic relationship with her best friend is put to the test by the arrival of a controlling boyfriend in Dyan Sheldon's witty, diary-style sequel to PLANET JANET.

Now that her mum, the Mad Cow, has split from her cad of a dad, Janet Bandry — despite her Creative, Artistic Mind — is leaving the Dark Phase to enter the Work Force. Only one thing can ease the physical torture of waitressing at a local Mexican restaurant — a dreamy waiter named Ethan who definitely has romantic designs on . . . Disha, Janet's best friend. Janet, of course, is mature enough to get over it — except for the fact that Disha now won't hang out with anyone but her possessive new beau. And if that's not appalling enough, even the Mad Cow is newly besotted — with a bearded suitor who has her singing old folk songs and boycotting evil corporate greed. Good thing Janet is sensible enough to start an advice column for the school paper and has her mates David and Marcus to talk to, as the entire female species seems to have gone insane.

Detailed in humorously melodramatic diary entries and including a glossary of Britishisms, PLANET JANET IN ORBIT follows the precarious path of a comically self-absorbed teen who is learning some useful lessons about loyalty, family, and friendship.

Genres: Young Adult, Chick Lit

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2004

About the author

Dyan Sheldon is the author of many novels for young adult readers, including the #1 New York Times bestseller CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN, which was made into a major motion picture. American by birth, she lives in North London.

Reviews

[Britny Graves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it's just my age, but I found this book a bit difficult to handle. Janet seems to have written over 200 pages of pure groaning agony. I get that the book is supposed to be a diary, and therefore requires that the writing be sympathetic to the narrator and not require a sense of self-awareness from this narrator, BUT there were several instances in the story where I found myself wholeheartedly disagreeing with Janet's choices and commentary. When I read a book, I expect to become sympathetic to the main character, therefore latching me onto the story. However, I found Janet difficult to like. I read the predecessor to this novel when I was about 12 or 14, therefore making the characters far more appropriate for my age. I stumbled across this sequel at age 24, giving me a very different perspective on the woes of a 17 year old girl. I don't necessarily think that the writing is bad... I happen to think Janet has a very strong, well-defined personality (trés true) and the others characters in the story are "v" interesting. I just didn't like the 200 pages of "woe is me" when I didn't really think there was so much woe. I guess everyone is a little blind to their own problems being quite small, sometimes even blessings. Janet seemed incredibly self-absorbed, yet the lack of attention and understanding she gets from her friends and family is somehow all based on what their issue is, not what hers are. Truly, this novel sounds like something a 10-15 year old could read and get something great out of. At my age though, I think this was a difficult book for me to rate fairly. It was still a very fun and quick, and I do recommend reading it, but maybe before you graduate high school. Fun note: If you love novels with tons of British lingo you will probably love Janet's writing. I always get excited when I read words like chuffed, blokes, crisps, dosh, and loo, etc.... so entirely un-American.

[Kyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

A funny look into a teenage girls mind. As the book goes on, you realize that Janet only thinks of herself and you end up disliking the her character. It's a read once book, and not compelling enough to read the other Planet Janet book.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

i relly like this book so far.

[Pammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy reading this one a lot!
It's hilarious and trust me, you will have a lot of fun reading this book!

[Kassyreadsalot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Janet is still self absorbed and it's still a funny look into a teenage girls mind. The ending was really nice and it was even more engaging than the first book.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

yeah 3 stars cause i dont even remember what it's about but i know i read it. so.

[Anonymous Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a good, sassy sense of humor and a really good narration tone. However, I want to complain that it is practically the same thing being said so many times for half the book (Marcella, Lucrezia, and Buskin’ Bob going crazy and Disha and Janet facing conflict because of Disha’s boyfriend).
Overall, I found the plot entertaining and didn’t get bored from reading it (like I do with most teen’s books), so this book is overall better than average.

[Alessandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

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