An award-winning book on perspectives and prejudices…
New Kid by Jerry Craft, winner of the 2020 Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award, is a graphic novel with perspective…lots of perspectives. Twelve-year-old Jordan Banks is enrolled in a new school. Not only is it not in his neighborhood, it’s a private school of mostly white kids and teachers. And Jordan is black.
As Jordan spends a year as the new kid, the author shows us many different perspectives of and prejudices against minorities in a primarily white setting. From Jordan’s parents who disagree about sending him to this school, to his homeroom teacher who assumes he’ll be trouble, to his new friend (a rich white kid) with whom he has more in common than he would think, and every perspective in between, this author illustrates the many reactions to Jordan’s situation.
While this is not a gripping, pull-you-in story, this novel quietly invites anyone and everyone to empathize with the main character. The themes of navigating choices made for you, being misunderstood, and finding common ground are universal and Jerry Craft uses those and his smart illustrations to connect readers to Jordan.
Bottom Line: Jerry Craft’s New Kid is an award-winning graphic novel for a reason, as it gives a voice to many African American kids, as well as portraying numerous differing perspectives humbly, yet courageously. This book validates readers who have a similar story as the main character, Jordan, as well as broadening the understanding of those who have never gone through these same challenges. Depending on the maturity and experiences of your reader, you may want to unpack some of the issues brought up while reading or after reading this novel.