All's Faire in Middle School

All's Faire in Middle School
Victoria Jamieson
Dial/Penguin, 2017 248 pages
Grades 5-8
Graphic Novel

Imogene is very excited. The new season of the Florida Renaissance Faire in which her family works is about to start. Now that she is eleven Imogene is allowed to be a part of the cast. Her role will be that of a squire, working under her father, who plays the role of the evil knight. All of her old friends are back for the two month season, including her older crush who plays the role of the hero knight, only this year he has a princess girlfriend in tow. Further complications ensue as homeschooled Imogene begins public school for the first time. Middle School is a bewildering experience and she has a hard time adjusting to changing classes, tricky teachers, current fashion trends, and the dreaded cafeteria at lunchtime. Mika, the reigning queen-bee, befriends Imogene and welcomes her to the cool clique. Imogene is thrilled to have friends, but worries that her clothes aren't right. She is shocked to discover how much the clothes worn by the popular girls actually cost and after visiting Mika's house, realizes for the first time that her family is relatively poor. Meanwhile, at the faire Imogene discovers a way to connect with Faire goers and befriends an outcast from her school who is a regular attendee. Anita also enjoys swordplay and the two work together to entertain visiting children, yet pretend not to be friends at school. Despite Anita's warnings, Imogene continues to hang out with Mika's crowd until she stands up to Mika's meanness, only to have secrets betrayed, landing her suspended from school and a social outcast. Imogene must learn to be true to herself and finds out what it means to be a real knight and an all-around decent person.

I loved Jamieson's Newbery winning Roller Girl and love her sophomore effort All's Faire in Middle School even more. Maybe it's the Renn Faire setting (I am a big fan and attend every year) or maybe it is the way Jamieson completely nails the emotions of a struggling sixth grader, but I really connected with this book. Sixth grade is a very difficult year. I found it excruciatingly difficult as did both of my daughters. School gets suddenly harder with changing classes and increased homework and socially friends get complicated. Imogene has it that much harder in that she is beginning school for the first time and has no clue how the school social structure works. She tries desperately to fit in, losing herself in the process. After alienating many of her loved ones and becoming a person whom she dislikes, Imogene must embrace who she is and be true to herself, even if it means having no school friends. Nerds will relate to Imogene's interests and will find comfort in her strength and victorious outcome. Jamieson leaves readers with much food for thought, including being kind, standing up to bullies, being true to yourself, the importance of working hard in school, loyalty, the choice of living simply: doing what you love over selling out to have a better lifestyle, and the power of forgiveness. This coming of age tale sees Imogene embracing a bit of her inner-princess, even though she remains a bit of a tomboy squire and, most importantly, she realizes that she is not the center of the universe. Jamieson's drawings are clear and add humor and depth to the story. Chapter headings appear to be pages straight from ancient fairytales, placing the reader in the Renn Faire setting. Some of the coming of age themes are a bit mature for younger readers, so I would not recommend this book for younger than fifth grade, even though the comic nature of the book appears inviting to a young audience. An excellent addition to the realistic graphic genre for middle grades readers.