Book Review

Fashion fandango

Sydor, Colleen, Richardson, Gillian

2000

Overview

In Maxwell's Metamorphosis, Nora takes her role as peer mediator seriously. When first grader Laura entrusts her with the secret that she's afraid to use the school washroom, Norah breaks a rule to take Laura (rhyming names can be confusing!) home at recess. Maxwell, new boy and bully, has Norah targeted for blackmail. He knows she plans to share Laura's secret with her friend Frankie and that she's keeping quiet about Laura's trips home. Norah learns of Maxwell's own insecurities and his artistic talents and uses this knowledge to effect a positive change in his attitude. Humor and suspenseful action would give Norah opportunities to shine, and these stories could use more of both. There are details which stretch credibility. For example, Laura's emotional problem in Maxwell's Metamorphosis is based on a traumatic association with the color of the washroom walls. But Norah is left to deal with it with no adult involvement (parents are all but invisible, and where is the supervising teacher at recess?). Also, Maxwell's negative and sometimes cruel behaviour is the result of changing schools several times, and yet he responds immediately when Norah simply points out his drawing talent. Both of these incidents seem well beyond the intended responsibility level of a peer mediator. The plot structure in Fashion Fandango is weak. The initial problem (Norah's wish to be a mediator) is solved before mid-book. The main action and conflict, which takes place in the last half between two secondary characters, was only briefly alluded to earlier. Norah, as mediator, becomes mostly a bystander while the dialogue is dominated through several pages by Barbara-Jane and Frankie. This approach does little to showcase Norah's character, although it gives a practical demonstration of peer mediation.

• Publisher: CM: Canadian Review of Materials Association
• Subject: Childrens literature