New Kid

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Author(s)

Jerry Craft

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

February 05, 2019

ISBN

978-0062691200

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Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.

As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?

Editor reviews

2 reviews

An Honest Glimpse into Middle School

May 05, 2019 (Updated: June 26, 2026)

Overall rating

4.5

Plot

4.0

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

'New Kid' by Jerry Craft follows main character Jordan, a seventh grader who wants to go to an art school, but has his parents end up sending him to an academically-oriented private school. He is one of a few kids of color in his class, and even though he does have someone showing him around and befriending him who is not a student of color, he begins to wonder just how he can best fit in and why the kids who look like him are the ones who seem to not be appreciated as much.

The story does a nice job of having readers question the relationships between characters, no matter their color, and inspires thoughts about inclusion and how to best create instances where that is most possible. He makes a variety of friends as the story goes on, even with some whom he wouldn't have thought he would ever be friends. The story, as a graphic novel, showcases the themes and issues in a way that only words wouldn't have been capable of, and this is a definite plus for 'New Kid'. It is especially neat how the images propel the story along in ways that highlight the importance of the few words that Craft uses in the book.

An interesting and inspiring book, 'New Kid' brings honesty and humor to the forefront, as well as a host of other emotions.

Good Points

It is especially neat how the story's images propel the plot along in ways that highlight the importance of the few words that Craft uses in the book. Interesting and inspiring, 'New Kid' brings honesty and humor to the forefront, as well as a host of other emotions.