New Kid by Jerry Craft

1. Bibliography:

Craft, Jerry. 2019. New Kid. New York: Harper. ISBN: 978006269119

2. Plot Summary:

Jordan is going to a new school. He is the new kid. He feels out of place because this is not a typical school he would attend. As the year goes on he finds where he fits in.

3. Character:

Jordan is the main character that represents the antagonist in the book. He struggles with fitting in and being accepted. He keeps a drawing journal that is a self-help to survive “the dude pyramid a guide to cafeteria hierarchy” is one of the examples to help him thrive in this new school. His friend relationships between the two cultures are strained. He must find a way to balance both.

Other characters are portrayed as the protagonist. They too are trying to fit in and feel accepted. It is not until a year of growth and bonding that they all see each other as the same.

4. Setting with Diversity:

The start of the story is set in Jordan’s home in Washington Heights. The diverse culture is told through other characters walking by and Liam staying inside the car with the doors locked. The other setting is RAD Riverdale Academy Day School. This culture is portrayed as an upper class school. The cultures at first glance seem to be uncomfortable for Jordan. It is not what he is used to seeing from his last school. Everything is new, and looks very expensive.

5. Illustrations:

This graphic novel has an easy flow to each section. It is bordered with a black line to show each section. The illustrations show expressions of the characters feelings, and contrasts the diverse skin tones of the students at school. At one point there is a contest “and now, lets the tanning contest begin” this was to see who got the darkest during the vacation. The next picture shows a girl comparing her skin color to Jordan’s skin. This makes Jordan feel uncomfortable because he did not go anywhere. This is important to contrast because it gives the reader an idea of the differences, and a sense of how to relate to the characters. The chapter illustrations have a theme with social cultures of music, movies, and books, it is slightly twisted to fit the book, “Straight Outta South Uptown”.

6. Theme:

It does not matter what you look like we all have feelings and want to fit in. The author points out that it not just about skin tones, but deformities as well. Alexandrea has burns on her hands that she tries to cover them using puppets. She is embarrassed by this, and Jordan helps her realize that there is nothing to be ashamed of, it makes her unique. At the end of the book Jordan realizes that all of these kids he went to school with are just trying to fit in and be accepted like he felt.

7. Cultural markers:

The author purposely put several stereotypes during the course of the book. The illustrations and dialect in the book point out these stereotypes. Jordan calls people “dawgs”. When he does one of the teachers feels that he is being racist and tells him not to, but Andy does call people “dawg” it goes unnoticed. Andy make other comments about Ramon’s mom making really good tacos. White people are all rich and do not understand what it is like. It is not until Collin is kicked out of school because he went on vacation with Andy, and he was on finical aid. The authenticity of the diversity in this book is created. The point of view of the upper class that they do not understand or cannot tell the difference between people is unrealistic. The reader gets a feeling that all people that are not from money look the same. The facts on these cultures are not correct, they are old stereotypes. The only notes is about the author, but this does not give much information about his credentials on writing the book. Minority characters are shown as equals for the most part. The only parts they are not equal is in regards with financial aid assistance in the school. All non-English words are spelled correctly. The only slang word is dawg and it is compared to the word dog. This could not stand on its own. It needs the cultural diversity to move the book along and have Jordan realize he does fit in, and the other characters feel the same way about themselves.

8. Connections Teacher and Library Corner:

Students will create their own short graphic novel. Students will write about a time something happened to them, or make it up. They will go through the writing process to create this piece. After the writing is complete they will then transform it to a short graphic novel and illustrate the pictures as well. Once the piece is completed they will be displayed in a local student works in the library. Other students may read them and respond with positive comments, on a comment card.

9. You Tube Connections:

Book talk with Jerry Craft 

The official book trailer 

Blindfold the author and have him draw Jordan.

10. Reviews Excerpts:

“Possibly one of the most important graphic novels of the year.” Booklist

“An engrossing, humorous, and vitally important graphic novel that should be required reading in every middle school in America.” Kirkus Reviews

“This is more than a story about being the new kid—it’s a complex examination of the micro- and macroaggressions that Jordan endures from classmates and teachers. Highly recommended for all middle grade shelves.” School Library Journal

“This engaging story offers an authentic secondary cast and captures the high jinks of middle schoolers and the tensions that come with being a person of color in a traditionally white space.” Publishers Weekly

 “Award-winning author/illustrator Jerry Craft confronts elitism, microaggression, racism, socioeconomic disparity and white privilege in a familiar setting. His preteen audiences will undoubtedly recognize and empathize with Craft’s memorable cast.” Shelf Awareness

“Craft’s full-color comics art is dynamic and expressive. This school story stands out as a robust, contemporary depiction of a preteen navigating sometimes hostile spaces yet staying true to himself thanks to friends, family, and art.” Horn Book Magazine

11. Children’s Review:

None at this time

12. Awards and Recognitions:

2019 Harvey Awards nominee

13. Book suggestions:

Books from Jerry Craft:

The Offenders: Saving the World While Serving Detention! ISBN: 9780979613258

Other book suggestions:

El Deafo by Cece Bell ISBN: 9781419712173

Best Friends by Shannon Hale ISBN: 9781250317469

14. Official website:

None at this time

15. My rating:

I give this book 3 stars. I was super excited to read this book, but I was left with an empty feeling from the start.