All's Faire In Middle School

Borrowed from my school library.

Title: All's Faire In Middle School
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin/Random House)
Date: 2017
Writer: Victoria Jamieson
Artist: Victoria Jamieson

Imogene is about to embark on her most dangerous quest on her path to becoming a knight: Surviving middle school. And even her fellow performers at the Florida Renaissance Faire, where her parents work, seem to agree that middle school is the worst. After being homeschooled through her elementary school years, Imogene navigates friendships, bullying, schoolwork, and teen fashion, all while starting her first faire season as a full cast member.

This is full of cleverness, Shakespearian insults, ren faire culture, wholesome family interaction, and yet more cleverness. The extended "fairemily" steal the show somewhat as Imogene's school drama takes on mostly expected twists and turns, and fun characters like aunt-figure Cussy provide entertainment even as they gently guide Imogene's recovery from a succession of bad decisions.

The ending was heartfelt, and the family and found-family elements were fun and wholesome.

Rating: 8/10

Roller Girl

From my school library. I think I've probably read almost all of their (very small) graphic novel selection at this point.

Title: Roller Girl
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: 2015
Writer: Victoria Jamieson
Artist: Victoria Jamieson

When her mom takes her on a surprise excursion to broaden her cultural horizons (in the best possible way!), twelve-year-old Astrid is introduced to roller derby. And it is the coolest thing ever. I mean, it is, but that is also what Astrid comes to realize. And we're off and rolling.

This is a middle school friendship story, and a sports story, and it follows most of the tropes, including the sticking-with-a-lie-for-way-too-long that pervades these stories. And none of that matters. Because roller derby. And some really great character interactions in a story that just has so much heart.

This was lovely and quirky and fun all the way through.

8.5/10