Book Review: All's Faire in Middle School

Synopsis: Imogene’s never been to a traditional school, she’s grown up with both her parents working at the Renaissance Faire and she’s more than ready to begin training as a squire and join the ranks of her family and friends each weekend as a real character at the Faire, but she’s also really excited (and scared) to go to middle school. She quickly learns that middle school comes with its’ own set of rules and Imogene learns that what you wear, who you hang out with and how you act mean everything.
When Imogene does something mean in order to fit in, she begins to question her role as a brave squire at the Faire, who her friends are at school and the importance of not only doing the right thing, but making amends when you do something wrong.

Review: This book felt very much like a true-to-life tale of middle school woes – family, friends, school, etc. Even though most kids can’t relate to life at the Renaissance Faire, they can relate to wanting to fit in and sometimes doing whatever it takes, even if that means hurting someone else. I think Jamieson also does a great job of showing how emotional the life of a middle schoolgirl is and that sometimes you end up doing something you know is wrong and would never think to do, but it happens anyway! It’s that feeling of being out of control, knowing it, and still not feeling like you can do anything about it that makes this story so true to life. I really enjoyed this graphic novel as a behind-the-scenes look at  daily life at the Rennaissance Faire and a closer look at the life of a middle school girl that so many will be able to relate to. I’m thinking this would make a great book discussion title for our kids at work!

Twitter Booktalk (280ish characters or less): Middle school is had enough to navigate with friends, embarrassing family, studying for tests… but it’s a whole other level when you’re part of the Renaissance Faire!

Title: All’s Faire in Middle School
Author: Victoria Jamieson
Publisher: Dial Books
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
Page Number:  248 pgs.