{"id":36014,"date":"2019-06-03T21:09:27","date_gmt":"2019-06-04T01:09:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=36014"},"modified":"2019-06-03T21:09:27","modified_gmt":"2019-06-04T01:09:27","slug":"review-of-new-kid-by-jerry-craft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=36014","title":{"rendered":"Review of New Kid, by Jerry Craft"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>New Kid<\/em><\/p>\n

by Jerry Craft
\nwith color by Jim Callahan<\/p>\n

Harper, 2019. 250 pages.
\nReview written March 12, 2019, from a library book<\/p>\n

Navigating middle school is the perfect subject for graphic novels and fictionalized memoirs. I\u2019m thinking of Smile<\/a><\/em>, Roller Girl<\/a><\/em>, Real Friends<\/a><\/em>, All\u2019s Faire in Middle School<\/a><\/em>, and Be Prepared<\/em> — and then realize that none of those I mentioned have a boy protagonist. So, okay, it\u2019s time.<\/p>\n

New Kid<\/em> is about Jordan Banks, an African American boy who\u2019s being sent by his parents to start seventh grade at a fancy private school. Jordan wants to go to art school, but his mother thinks this is such a wonderful opportunity, he needs to go Riverdale Academy Day School.<\/p>\n

This graphic novel is about navigating middle school as the new kid \u2013 and a new kid who\u2019s one of the few African American students. We notice things like teachers consistently calling him by the wrong name, and other students looking at him when financial aid is mentioned, and assuming he\u2019ll especially like the one teacher who\u2019s African American.<\/p>\n

And there are other quirks of middle school. Making friends. A girl who carries a puppet on her hand and talks in a puppet voice. A mean kid and his friends. A nice kid who\u2019s really rich. What your parents want for you versus what you want (art school). Keeping up with friends who don\u2019t attend the private school.<\/p>\n

I hope this book is as popular as the ones I named above. It\u2019s a lot of fun, and it throws in some insights along the way.<\/p>\n

jerrycraft.com<\/a>
\nharpercollinschildrens.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Fiction\/new_kid.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a>