All’s Faire in Middle School
Written by Victoria Jamieson

Publisher’s Summary:
Homeschooled by Renaissance Fair enthusiasts, eleven-year-old Imogene has a hard time fitting in when her wish to enroll in public school is granted.

Primary Source Pairing:
As the opening page for Chapter One reads, “Imogene does not know it yet, but her journey through the dark and treacherous woods of Middle School shall be a twisty path indeed…” And oh, is the pathy twisty. And thorny, dark, murky, and in the end, worth the hard work of the journey. Imogene and her family are part of the staff and performers at the Florida Renaissance Faire. Up until Imogene’s middle school eve, she has been homeschooled by her parents and the experiences at the Renaissance Faire. Middle School is an adjustment, to say the least. Imogene experiences it all: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Throughout it all, she remains true to her squire values. For this primary source pairing, invite students to watch a short video advertising the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Encourage students to make connections to what they see in the video and the parts of the Renaissance Fair we read about in the book.

Questions for Discussion:

• Describe what you see and hear.
• What do you notice first?
• What do you see in the video that you read in the book?
• Make a connection between the Bristol Renaissance Faire and the Renaissance Fair in the book.
• Would you like to visit a Renaissance Faire? Why or why not? Use textual and visual evidence to support your answer.

Credits:
Book Cover and Summary: Follett
Bristol Renaissance Faire YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jydg1rHnvhU