NEW KID written and illustrated by Jerry Craft is an authentic story told and illustrated with great passion, some humor and a beautiful binary relationship between the words and the pictures. It is also the first graphic novel to ever win the Newbery Medal.
Jordan Banks, a seventh grader, wants to go to art school. His parents want him to go to the Riverdale Academy Day School to study academics and learn how to be successful in corporate America. His Dad does concede that if he still wants to go to art school when he is a ninth grader he should be allowed to do so. Mom does not agree.
The realistic drawings picture the frustrations, disappointments and loneliness he feels being one of the very few black students at the school. Teachers seem to expect them to answer questions about slavery, financial aid, civil rights and basketball. He carries his sketch book with him and draws in order to deflect any possible hits on his self-esteem.
There are a number of visual interludes in the book where Jordan, using black pen on his white sketch pad, speaks directly to the reader about his innermost feeling such as The Dude Pyramid: A Guide to Cafeteria Hierarchy and Taking Photos with My Mom: A Tale of Terror. Jordan’s Tips for Taking the Bus is full of fun, an understanding of human nature and clever defenses to combat labelling.
The rest of the book hosts smooth lines, rich colors and real facial expressions. The opening illustration of Jordan falling backwards while exclaiming, “This is how I feel every single day of my life, like I’m falling without a parachute” sets the tone.
NEW KID written and illustrated by Jerry Craft is an exceptional graphic novel for readers 8-12 years of age (Harper/ an imprint of Harper Collins, 2019).
Activity Questions for NEW KID
What was Jordan most worried about at his “new” school? Think about bullying, not knowing were classes were located, assumptions made about him based on his clothing, color of his skin or the mode of transportation he used to get to the new school. Have you ever felt anxious about going to a new school? How did it make you feel? Think back. Feel it. Draw a picture of your feeling by using lines, colors, shapes and symbols.
Look at the double spread illustration at the beginning of the book where Jordan is in a free fall and wishes he was Superman so he could fly. Then take a look at the double spread illustration on page 204 and 205 where Jordan turns things around by becoming a super-hero. Write a caption for this illustration explaining his new strengths and abilities based on his need to overcome certain problems mentioned on page 203. Enjoy!
What other character besides Jordan do you find interesting? Why? Be sure to review the characters and their impact on the storyline. Then, give this book an expanded title to include New Kid and ???
