Graphic Novel Review Written by Craft, Jerry. NEW KID.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Craft, Jerry. 2019. NEW KID. New York. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 978-0-06-26920-0

PLOT SUMMARY

Jordan, a student of color, moves from school’s from his Washington Heights neighborhood to the Riverdale, a school with a lot of extra curricular activities, a demanding curriculum and not a lot of diversity. He faces what comes with being a new kid and a minority: name-calling and stereotyping. Eventually, he makes friends and befriends those he thought he wouldn’t. Jordan journals his middle school and life experiences and ends his first year at Riverdale on a good note. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jordan, being a new kid at school is easy to identify with as this a reality for many students. His disbelief in the name-calling and stereotyping at his new school resonate with the reader through the illustrations. The illustrations in this graphic novel are vibrant and accurately reflect the characters’ emotions and help the story move along through each chapter with a clear introduction to each chapter. The black and white journal sketches help the reader see Jordan’s personal thoughts to his life experiences. There is detail in each illustration with accuracy and is described well through the story’s dialogue. Overcoming middle school experiences of being a new student and everything that comes with it are hardships that require patience, hope and in the end he overcomes all his obstacles and comes out victorious. 

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booklist starred, 11/15/18

Coretta Scott King Author Award, 2020

Horn Book Magazine, 01/01/19

Kirkus Reviews starred, 11/01/18

New York Times, 03/10/19

Newbery Medal, 2020

Publishers Weekly starred, 11/26/18

School Library Journal starred, 11/01/18

Kirkus Reviews starred (November 1, 2018): “ An engrossing, humorous, and vitally important graphic novel that should be required reading in every middle school in America.” 

Publishers Weekly (November 26, 2018): “ 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.”

School Library Journal (November 1, 2018): “ Highly recommended for all middle grade shelves.”

Connections: 

This book lends itself to a discussion about discrimination, feelings and self-awareness. 

The middle school audience can definitely relate to the characters in this graphic novel by navigating relationship skills, self-awareness, social awareness and change. 

Other books by Jerry Craft: 

Craft, Jerry. CLASS ACT. ISBN 978-0-06-288551-7

Craft, Jerry. SCHOOL TRIP. ISBN 978-0-06-288554-8