All's Faire in Middle School
Roller Girl Series
What’s inside...
The story revolves around a homeschooler named Imogene, who has been brought up by her parents at the Renaissance Faire. She has to confront the challenges of a real middle school, where she has to fit in, face bullies, and navigate friendships. Eleven-year-old Imogene, also known as Impy, has grown up with two parents working at the Renaissance Faire and is eager to begin her training as a squire. Before she can do that, she must prove her bravery by attending a public school after being homeschooled. However, middle school is tough, and Impy struggles to act like a noble knight-in-training. She falls in with a group of girls who seem nice until they don't, starts to be embarrassed by her family's unusual lifestyle and small, messy apartment, and questions her self-identity after doing something mean to fit in. She begins to wonder if she might be more of a dragon than a heroic knight.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
10-12
Length
248 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Imogen
Felix
Imogene’S Father
Sir Hugo (Imogene’S Father)
Mika
Discussion points
What do you think Imogene learned about friendship and loyalty throughout her experiences at the Renaissance Faire and at school?
How did Imogene handle the challenges she faced when she started middle school? What would you have done differently?
Imogene discovers a lot about herself and her family during the story. What are some important family values you noticed, and why are they important?
What role do you think honesty plays in Imogene's story? Can you share a time when being honest was difficult for you?
How does Imogene's perception of 'fitting in' change from the beginning to the end of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
As you discuss the book, share your own experiences from when you were in middle school to help your child relate to the themes.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story by asking how certain events or characters made them feel, and why.
Highlight the importance of resilience and growth by discussing Imogene's character development throughout the book.
Use examples from the book to discuss real-life ethical dilemmas, such as handling peer pressure or making tough decisions about friendships.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Navigating new challenges and environments
Explanation: Imogene faces the challenge of transitioning from homeschool to a public middle school, which is a new and unfamiliar environment for her. She learns to adapt and find her identity amidst these changes.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to be adaptable when they encounter new situations or environments, such as changing schools or moving to a new city.
Example Lesson: Importance of honesty and communication
Explanation: Throughout the book, Imogene learns the value of being honest and open in her communications, especially after her experiences with bullying and friendship challenges in school.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of truthful communication in building and maintaining trust in relationships with peers and adults.
Example Lesson: Dealing with peer pressure and bullying
Explanation: Imogene confronts scenarios involving peer pressure and bullying. She learns to stand up for herself and make decisions that align with her values, rather than succumbing to negative influences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn from this lesson to remain true to their own values and ethics when faced with peer pressure, and to seek help when encountering bullying.
Example Lesson: Understanding and embracing differences
Explanation: Imogene's family is involved in a Renaissance faire, which is different from her peers at school. Over time, she learns to embrace these differences and appreciate diverse lifestyles and interests.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to celebrate diversity and to be open to learning about and respecting others' backgrounds and interests.
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: Despite the challenges Imogene faces at school, she demonstrates perseverance by continuing to strive for academic and social success.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of persistent effort and resilience in achieving goals, even when facing obstacles.