The History of Jane Doe

Gr 9 Up-Ray loves history, especially the legends of his hometown Burgerville, CT. His best and only friend, Simon, is a weird kid who enjoys a cold glass of whole milk way too often. But when Jane Doe, a cool, mysterious, conspiracy-loving girl, moves to town, she picks them to be her new friends and tour guides. They begin to explore the history and urban legends of their hometown and become inseparable. A history buff, Ray is usually focused on the past, but after meeting Jane he revels in the now for the first time. Belanger's notable debut focuses on teen depression, suicide, and grief. In the author's note, he relates his personal experiences and includes resources for those who are living with depression. The depiction of mental illness is accurate, and Jane's depression is given a name and addressed with therapy and medication, which is not always the case in YA novels. The narrative alternates seamlessly between "Before Jane" and "After Jane." The characters are witty, sarcastic, and relatable.