All's Faire in Middle School

Just like "Roller Girl," the unique story and colorful art in "All's Faire" does not fail to please—be the reader a young person or even an adult. I've purchased this for my daughter who is younger than the intended audience (probably 11-14). The audience this story is geared to is about a year or two older than that in "Roller Girl." There's nothing that I'd consider inappropriate, but it is a good idea for a parent to read ahead if it is to be given to a younger child just so you can discuss it with your child if they have questions. It is a coming-of-age story about a homeschooler (Imogene) who enters public school for the first time, and the struggles she faces to fit in, but keep her identity and be a good person. What I love best about the story is how Impy makes some pretty large mistakes (from hurting people she cares about to getting bad grades in science class where she has personality conflicts with her teacher), but she realizes that making mistakes is part of being a human being and has power to change her present and future to make right by those she hurt (including herself). This self-acceptance is beautiful and exactly what all young people need—especially girls. This situation can really apply to any child—especially a young person entering a new school (be it because they moved, decided to stop homeschooling and/or shifted up from elementary to junior high/middle). I will be giving it to my daughter as a Christmas gift and expect she will love it—since she was a very big fan of "Roller Girl."

Super good for people who are going into middle school, and overall an amazing book. It also informs other kids that it is normal to struggle with certain things. I love this book and would certainly recommend it!

A depressingly realistic take on bullying, popularity and peer pressure, with some fun renaissance faire antics tacked on to make it tolerable - plus an unrealistic happy ending. In its own way the forced happy ending is the direst part of the tale, a warning that there is no natural happy ending to this kind of story, that our actions can have a lasting impact on our reputation and on our relationships with others. For people interested in Roller Girl comparisons, this book follows the same formula, but with a different tone. It has a more realistic (and negative) take on socialization, but doesn't fit its pieces together as well: the adventure world the protagonist introduces the audience to and the real world. In Roller Girl the protagonist's success adventuring fits seamlessly into her personal growth in everyday life; in this book you're left rooting for the protagonist to stay in the renaissance faire world forever and never go back to the real world ever again.

After reading Roller Girl, my kid wanted to read more by the same author, so we found this book. She really loved it, and thought that the drawings were very intricate and well-done. We loved this book so much!

I loved Roller Girl and I loved this. Jamieson's characters are vibrant, relatable and fun. 6th and 7th grade is a hard time for many girls. But there can be humor, courage and friendship, as well as mentors, guides and friends. I look forward to whatever Jamieson gives us next.

This is such a great book for Middle school kids. It is an interesting story, that works the difficulites of Middle School into the story. It does NOT just throw a "we are going to talk about bullies" into their face, so you can hve some ral discussions about things without it feeling like a lesson.

Bought this for my daughter to check out. She loves graphic novels and reading all kinds of different books. She told me that this book was funny and it was a good read. She had read something by this author before but she said that she was pleasantly surprised that she liked this book better!!

A bit convoluted and did not hold much interest with my 11 year old. Not a smooth read.

I read this after reading Roller Girl and can't decide which one I like best because they're both so amazing! This book is about Imogene, a girl who's family work at the renaissance faire and who's been homeschooled for her entire life until she goes to middle school. She makes friends with Mika, Sasha and Emily but they don't seem to be right for her. I am 12 but I would recommend this book to anyone ages 9-13 and particularly those who enjoy reading Roller Girl and Awkward.

Good quality

Not that it needs any more reviews. But couldn't help writing about it as my kiddo seems to love this book.

Excellent

Good book.