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Children's Fiction, Social Situations
Planet Janet in orbit by Dyan Sheldon β€” book cover

Planet Janet in orbit

by Dyan Sheldon
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Overview

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 β€” despite her Creative, Artistic Mind β€” 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 β€” 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 β€” 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 β€” 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.

About the Author, Dyan Sheldon

DYAN SHELDON is the author of many books for young adults, including CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN, now a major motion picture starring Lindsay Lohan; its sequel, MY PERFECT LIFE; SOPHIE PITT-TURNBULL DISCOVERS AMERICA; and the first book about Janet Bandry, PLANET JANET. American by birth, Dyan Sheldon now lives in London.

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Editorials

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10-Janet Bandry's back with more hilarious misadventures. Her brief stint working at a Mexican restaurant results in debt. Her former best friend now spends all her time with her Aussie boyfriend. Her father moved out of the house, and her mother is dating "Buskin' Bob," who has two terrifying daughters and loves to point out what's wrong with the world. The only bright spot seems to be "Aunt Know-It-All," the advice column Janet has begun for the school newspaper. This sequel to Planet Janet (Candlewick, 2003) is another laugh-out-loud riot, and the glossary at the end will help American readers understand much of the British slang. Fans of Meg Cabot and Louise Rennison will love following Janet through her endless mishaps.-Jane Cronkhite, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Summer has finally arrived and Janet is prepared to leave her Dark Phase behind and enjoy her summer, but not if her mother (Mad Cow) has anything to do with it. After her mother nixes the idea of a holiday in Greece, she suggests Janet get a job. Only Ethan, a good-looking waiter from Australia, keeps Janet sane at her awful waitressing position, but that's only until instead of falling for her, Ethan falls for her best friend Disha. Her daily diary entries detail Disha's new consuming relationship, her father's new life as a bachelor and her mother's first forays into dating. However, even self-absorbed Janet needs an outlet, causing her to start an advice column in the school paper. Following this life of an incredibly witty teen, this sequel to Planet Janet (2003) captures Sheldon's deft ability with funny dialogue and a wacky setting, while still delivering a smart story. A glossary of Briticisms at the end helps with the translation. (Fiction. 10-14)

Book Details

Published
September 13, 2005
Publisher
Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press, 2005.
Pages
304
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780763627553

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