NEW KID

Graphic book Title: NEW KID
Author and artist: Jerry Craft
Colors by: Jim Callahan
Publisher: Harper (An imprint of Harper Collins Publishers)
Copyright: 2019
Cost $21.99 US/ 26.99 CAN hard cover
ISBN: 978-0-06-269120-0 hardcover
978-0-06-269119 paperback
Page count: 249 pages
Reviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets
Jazma Online

"New Kid" is a modern day middle school story. The main character name is Jordan Banks. He is black Pre-teen (12 year old) child with wonderful creative skills in art work. His parents Chuck and Ellice Banks want to send him to school that will help grow his creative skills. The US school is called Riverdale Academy. Jordan learns new friends at Riverdale Academy. He also learns how some people like even teacher causes him to feel uncomfortable. She mentions in class that Jordan is getting financial aid to come to Riverdale. She never said Jordan's name. He knew though she was talking about him. There are also some students that give him hard time and call him Gordan instead of Jordan. Some of kids were cruel and called another black kid “Oreo” for white on inside and black on outside. There was quite a transition from Washington Heights where Jordan lived to Riverdale Academy. One of the other classmates was named Alexandra. She always has some sort of puppet on right arm. The reason will be explained in story. Liam was another of characters in story. As was Alex.

Jordan Banks father said that if his son did not like private school by ninth grade he would decide about sending his son to art school. Jordan’s father was also concerned about diversity of kids and hoped no issues about color.

The book covered many issues of just being kid in private school. It talked about sports and extra activity aspects of being in Riverdale Academy. Jordan learned how to express himself in not only classes but in his art book. He learned how to get out his feelings through his art. Jordan even drew about wanting to be Batman. He loved how Batman always strands up for the little guys. Jordan was one of those little guys.

The book deals with some hard topics like even in private school hard to get identity. One teacher did not even take time to find out persons nationality. The teacher for months did not even ask even though told not from country mentioned by teacher. It is not like going to private school was gold trophy. Jordan. Riverdale Academy would give Jordan a chance at a better life. His parents were hoping would open up new doors for him, colleges, and other goals. Jordan’s father firmly thought that Jordan should have option of going to art school if he felt like an outsider at Riverdale Academy.

I liked how book talked about many different things like even slavery. Nothing though that was so difficult story halted. I read book in about an hour. I think young adult to adult reading level. I think graphic novel could be made into movie or cartoon. "New Kid" graphic novel even had complement quote from Jeff Kinney on front cover. He is the author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It was a tremendous endorsement about Jordan Banks in “New Kid” graphic novel. I got graphic novel from library in juvenile graphic novel section. I am very glad I gave time to read “New Kid” story.


Allen Klingelhoets