Maybe it had something to do with the Jane Eyre reference or maybe it was the rave review from the rep that had stuck in my mind, but when I saw this book displayed on our shelves, I knew I just had to read it.
Helené is a recently rejected girl at school. Once popular with friends, she suddenly finds herself on the outer. She is taunted, teased and bullied.
Her loneliness, confusion & sadness are beautifully depicted in the grey wash illustrations by Arsenault. This is a graphic novel that is still also a picture book at heart.
The thing that keeps Helené going, that offers her respite from the taunts, that fills the void of friends, is books.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwiOjI14mGPuiYS_fjNmxCNYMteOn_176SJim_0FKIQEh1vyaa_ztTQvuTtCG-uOTtHcByR5g7NP95ItZoMsoo8n2_UhVoAmdcfNYLtWabChO2JzW0FJVCKCpSq6OsDh6Ml0R85LnlXE/s320/jane+and+me.jpg)
And one book in particular speaks to her - Jane Eyre.
All of a sudden we turn the page to find a little bit of Jane Eyre's story as seen through Helené's eyes.
The illustrations change - we see colour, lovely old-fashioned fonts & we also see hope.
Helené sees Jane as a kindred spirit - a connection is made through the pages of the book. Through Jane, Helené feels understood. Jane's story not only gives Helené respite, but hope.
During a ghastly school camping excursion, Helené spies a fox in the woods.
She reaches out & makes a connection with the fox.
This encourages her to make a connection with one of the other girls, Géraldine, also on the outer with the popular group.
There is nothing particularly new or earth-shattering about this classic tale of bullying & loneliness.
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But Jane, The Fox and Me is told so tenderly that I defy anyone to resist its charms.
I certainly couldn't!
Fanny Britt is from Quebec.
The book was translated into English by Christine Morelli & Susan Ouriou.
This book has mature themes but would be suitable for good 10+ readers as well as high school students.
This sounds like a lovely book! I also don't read a lot of graphic novels, though when I have picked up one, I have usually enjoyed it.
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