All's Faire in Middle School
Imogene wants to become a squire but she needs to prepare for this important position. She has waited forever to turn 11 so she could begin her training. To show the queen that she is ready for this position, Imogene decides that she will attend a public middle school to show the queen that she has these attributes and that she’s ready to help the kingdom.
Imogene’s family has played a major role in the Florida Renaissance Faire forever and finally, Imogene will get her chance to be a cast member. With the opportunity to attend public school, Imogene feels that middle school will be fun until the big day approaches and then Imogene begins to get nervous. Her brother’s girlfriend tries to ease Imogene’s mind with her own personal stories but, if anything they raise Imogene’s fear level and give her more things to worry about. As she makes her way through school those first few days, it’s as though she is dreaming. When a girl calls her over at lunch, she feels she has made a friend and finally has a group of individuals to hang with.
I enjoyed the rest of the novel immensely as it hit on a ton of subjects’ kids are subjected to daily. Her new friends are cruel to others and sometimes even to Imogene. Imogene ignores their behavior for she has finally been accepted and she doesn’t want to jeopardize her new status.
On the weekends, Imogene and her family perform at the Renaissance Faire. Imogene begins to train and ends up really enjoys it. A classmate shows up and it’s Anita. They have a good time yet back at school Anita tells Imogene not to associate with her, so she doesn’t. Later, its discovered, Imogene’s new friends make fun of Anita. So now Imogene is in the middle, she likes Anita but she likes being popular with her new friends. What to do?
It’s crazy to see how these girls act. Anita is not there to prove herself to anyone. She just wants an education, Mika wants to prove to everyone how much better she is (and for what? I kept thinking) and Imogene, I think she was confused on what she wanted.
The story gets intense the more that I read. Imogene’s behavior goes off the track. She’s trying anything to fit in except being who she is, yet I kept wondering if she even knew who she was.
My favorite part of this story was the incident with the shoes and the pants. She was trying, I just don’t think she knew how to handle the situation. Highly recommend this graphic novel.
