ALL'S FAIRE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

An ensemble of narrators brings the bustle of a Renaissance fair, the vagaries of middle school, and the tribulations of a homeschooling family vividly to life. For 11-year-old Imogene Vega, the start of sixth grade and the opening of the Renaissance fair where her family works converge. Imogene is anxious about heading into a public school setting and eager to learn about the role of an English squire. The narrating team keeps listeners on their toes. Switching between the fair and school takes concentration on the part of the listener. Memorable aspects of this production include Imogene's reticence as well as her warmth for her parents; the cattiness of her classmates; and the humor inherent in contrasting Renaissance diction with contemporary language. A.R. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2018]