Planet Janet
#1 in Planet Janet Duology Series
on Goodreads (449)
What’s inside...
Planet Janet follows the life of sixteen-year-old Janet Bandry as she navigates the complexities of having a dysfunctional family, discovering her identity, and dealing with teenage dilemmas. Told through humorous diary entries, Janet embarks on her self-proclaimed Dark Phase, dressing in black, contemplating life, and facing typical teenage issues like boys, hair dye, and a nose piercing. The sequel delves into Janet's summer adventures, dealing with her mother's new boyfriend, a summer job, and various family dramas, including a pregnant aunt and a lovesick father.
Character compass
Janet
Discussion points
How do you think Janet feels when she writes in her diary, and why do you think she chooses to write?
What are some ways Janet tries to express her individuality, and how does it affect her relationships?
If you were in Janet’s shoes, how would you handle the conflicts with her friends and family?
What did you learn about handling disagreements after reading about Janet's experiences?
How do Janet's dreams and ambitions inspire you to think about your own future?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their own methods of self-expression and compare them with Janet’s in the book.
Discuss the importance of having dreams and setting goals, drawing parallels to Janet’s character and aspirations.
Explore the theme of friendship in the story, asking your child how they navigate their relationships and what values are important to them in friendships.
Use examples from the book to discuss the concept of family dynamics and understanding, prompting your child to share their feelings about family interactions.
Highlight Janet's resilience and invite your child to share times when they've had to be resilient or adaptable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-discovery and personal growth
Explanation: Janet, the protagonist, embarks on a journey of self-exploration throughout the book, learning more about her own identity and desires.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to their own experiences of discovering their interests and abilities, encouraging them to embrace their unique traits.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout 'Planet Janet', the importance of friends and the support they offer is evident as Janet navigates her teenage life.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the significance of building and maintaining friendships, and how these relationships can provide support in times of need.
Example Lesson: Understanding and expressing emotions
Explanation: Janet's journey includes numerous emotional highs and lows, which are vividly portrayed, demonstrating the normalcy of experiencing and expressing varied emotions.
Real-World Application: Children learn that it is healthy to express emotions and that understanding their feelings is a crucial part of personal development.
Example Lesson: Importance of self-expression
Explanation: The book highlights how Janet uses her diary as an outlet for self-expression which aids in her personal understanding and coping mechanisms.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to find their own ways of self-expression, be it through writing, art, or other forms of creativity to handle their thoughts and feelings.
Example Lesson: Resilience in face of challenges
Explanation: Janet encounters various challenges but learns to deal with them, portraying resilience.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persevere through their own challenges and understand that overcoming obstacles is a part of growth.