Review of Graphic Novel: All's Faire in Middle School

Summary: 

Imogene has been homeschooled as her family works at the local Renaissance Faire. She chooses to show her bravery by the ultimate quest: going to middle school at the local public school. She makes what she thinks are friends almost immediately, but learns some tough middle school lessons about who to trust as a friend, trying to be like others to fit in, and taking frustration out on family. Soon she begins to think she more closely resembles the ferocious dragon than the brave knight.

Justification:

All's faire fit the criteria in books I was looking for: it was published in the last 10 years and had several positive reviews including from Book List, Horn Book Guide, and Publisher's Weekly. 

Response:

Accuracy

I currently teach sixth grade, the gateway to middle school. I see kids of every kind all day every day and the ways they try to fit in and/ or the ways they try to keep others out. I saw so much of my students in the characters in the book and in the highs, lows, and emotions of middle school. At one point Imogene is furious with her family, yet realizes that she was in the wrong and knows she should fix it. But so many emotions and pride and hurt feelings were all mixed up in what she should do. Middle school in a nutshell.

Point of View

The text takes a fairly lighthearted look at some of the conflicts in middle school and the big feelings accompanying it. The family handled Imogene's anger and lashing out and dealt with the feelings and the behaviors using firm actions and fairness. I liked the family dynamics and they definitely align with my own values. All's faire in middle school was truly a delightful book that accurately reflects middle school, its awkwardness and its pitfalls. 

Illustrations

I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy a graphic novel, especially one that centers around Renaissance faires, but I found this book to be such a good and accurate look at life in middle school. The illustrations matched the narrative and overall mood of the book perfectly.

Jamieson, V. (2017). All's faire in middle school. Dial Books for Young Readers.

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