All's Faire in Middle School Victoria Jamieson

All's Faire in Middle School Victoria Jamieson

book

2017, Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life

WISE
87%

WISE Score

4.5

Amazon

Renaissance Faire kid tackles middle school—turns out fitting in is harder than jousting.

Amazon4.5
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the good stuff—authentic middle school angst wrapped in a Renaissance Faire package that's actually fun instead of gimmicky. Jamieson gets the specific torture of wanting to fit in so badly you betray yourself, and she doesn't let Impy off easy.

The knight/dragon framing is smart without being heavy-handed, and the economic class stuff (thrift store shame, small apartment) is handled with real nuance. It's not a 'very special episode'—it's just part of Impy's life.

Graphic novel format makes it a strong pick for reluctant readers, and the 4.5 Amazon rating suggests kids are actually connecting with it. If your kid is navigating the social minefield of middle school or about to enter it, this is a solid, empathetic companion that doesn't pretend everything is fine or that being nice is easy.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9-14, right in the middle school sweet spot. The social dynamics are sophisticated enough for kids entering or in middle school, but the graphic novel format and accessible storytelling work for upper elementary readers too. High schoolers will likely age out.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

Tackles the emotional complexity of middle school with warmth and authenticity—friendship betrayal, family embarrassment, social pressure—without being preachy. Impy's journey from trying to fit in by being mean to recognizing her mistake ('wondering if she's more dragon than knight') models genuine self-reflection. The family dynamic is loving despite being unconventional, and the resolution emphasizes integrity over popularity.

Imaginative
82

The Renaissance Faire backdrop is genuinely unique for a middle school story, blending medieval quest metaphors (squire training, knight vs. dragon) with modern social navigation. Jamieson's graphic novel format adds visual storytelling that invites kids into both worlds. The 'quest' framing for starting public school is clever, though the imaginative elements serve the emotional story rather than driving wild creativity.

Safe
92

Age-appropriate middle school content with no graphic violence, sexual content, or traumatic events. The 'mean girl' dynamics and social exclusion are realistic but handled sensitively—Impy does something mean to fit in, but it's within the bounds of typical middle school cruelty (likely excluding someone or mocking family), not extreme bullying. The book addresses embarrassment about family and economic differences (thrift shop clothes, small apartment) honestly but without shame.

Enriching
86

Hits the core middle school experience hard: navigating friendship, managing embarrassment about family differences, and the painful gap between who you want to be and how you act under social pressure. The knight/dragon metaphor gives kids vocabulary for integrity vs. compromise. Jamieson (Newbery Honor winner for Roller Girl) knows how to make emotional growth feel earned, not lectured. Amazon 4.5 rating suggests strong reader connection.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Nails the specific hell of middle school social dynamics without sugar-coating—friendship groups that turn toxic, the shame of being different, doing something mean and regretting it
  • The Renaissance Faire setting is genuinely fresh and fun, giving the story a unique lens (how many middle schoolers train as squires?)
  • Graphic novel format from the creator of Roller Girl means it's accessible and visually engaging for reluctant readers
  • Addresses economic differences (thrift shop clothes, small apartment) and unconventional families with honesty and zero condescension
  • The knight vs. dragon metaphor gives kids a framework for thinking about integrity and choices without being preachy
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What to Watch For

  • Impy does something genuinely mean to fit in—it's realistic middle school cruelty, and she learns from it, but sensitive kids might find it uncomfortable
  • Themes of embarrassment about family and economic status are front and center; good for discussion but might hit close to home
  • The 'mean girl' dynamics are authentic, which means they're not cartoon villains—just complicated middle school social politics

Conversation Starters

  • "Have you ever felt embarrassed about our family or something we do? What made you feel that way?"
  • "Impy compares herself to a knight and a dragon. When do you feel like each one?"
  • "What would you do if your friends wanted you to be mean to someone to fit in?"
  • "The Renaissance Faire is Impy's family's whole thing. What's something unique about our family that you think other kids might not understand?"

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