  | New kid Author: Craft, Jerry | |
| Price: $19.08 | ||
Summary:
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? In graphic novel format.
| Illustrator: | Callahan, Jim |
Download a Teacher's GuideVideo Preview:
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 2.90 Points: 2.0 Quiz: 500606 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 3-5 Reading Level: 3.10 Points: 6.0 Quiz: 76438 | |
Awards:
Newbery Medal, 2020
Coretta Scott King Author Award, 2020
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (11/01/18)
School Library Journal (+) (00/11/18)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (A) (00/01/19)
The Hornbook (00/01/19)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 11/01/2018 Gr 4–7—Jordan Banks is anxious about being the new kid at Riverdale, especially since he'd rather be going to art school. He's even more nervous when he realizes that, unlike in his Washington Heights neighborhood, at Riverdale, he's one of the few kids of color. Despite some setbacks, Jordan eventually makes a few friends and chronicles his experiences in his sketch pad. 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. He is regularly mistaken for the other black kids at school. A teacher calls another black student by the wrong name and singles him out during discussions on financial aid. Even Jordan's supportive parents don't always understand the extent of the racism he faces. This book opens doors for additional discussion. Craft's illustrations are at their best during the vibrant full-page spreads. The art loses a bit of detail during crowd scenes, but the characters' emotions are always well conveyed. Jordan's black-and-white notebook drawings are the highlight of this work, combining effective social commentary with the protagonist's humorous voice. VERDICT Highly recommended for all middle grade shelves.—Gretchen Hardin, Sterling Municipal Library, Baytown, TX - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
