Parents' Guide to

New Kid, Book 1

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Funny, heartfelt middle school tale explores race, class.

Book Jerry Craft Graphic Novel 2019
New Kid, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 102 parent reviews

Jaylen R.
Jaylen R. Parent of 13-year-old
September 29, 2023
age 5+
i like how he doesnt take the people who say racist things seriously. And how he has to play soccer because it was either him playing soccer or do a little funny musical about george washington or something. I also liked how he draws everything that he feels inside of his sketchbook. I appriceated that Drew was by Jordans side the whole time when Andy was picking on jordan. Nothing could've been better about this book because this book is perfect just the way it is. I learned that some people are bad and that some other people are good. An example of a bad person is Andy because he once called a kid an oreo on the first or second day off school. And also, Ms slate always tried to get either Jordan or Drew OR Liam in trouble. Drew pushed Andy because he was being racist again towards Jordan.
Abigail C.
Abigail C. Parent of 12-year-old
October 4, 2023
age 7+

new person

Something I like about "new kid" is that it shows that you can be yourself and you don't have to change. One character I admire is jordan because he went through so much change but he did not change. Something I would change about "new kid" is that jordan could stand up for him self more.
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What's the Story?

At the start of NEW KID, Jordan Banks reluctantly transfers to a nearly all-White private school. He misses his friends from the neighborhood and doesn't understand his new classmates. Interested in cartooning, he isn't ready for soccer in the freezing cold, and his parents can't afford a vacation to warmer climes. Gradually, he makes new friends, comes to understand his classmates' quirks, and develops his own passions.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (102 ):
Kids say (9 ):

The move to middle school confuses many students and has inspired many comics, but this funny and heartfelt graphic novel covers new territory. Throughout New Kid, seventh-grader Jordan Banks proves to be a sensitive and likable protagonist, eager for friendship but unsure how to fit in a school culture that deals awkwardly with issues of race and class.

Author-illustrator Jerry Craft has a vibrant, exuberant style that distinguishes each character and captures the mood of each scene. Middle-schoolers will enjoy the sometimes goofy humor and identify with a good-hearted main character struggling to define himself in a new environment.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how New Kid uses the medium of comics to tell its story. What can comics do that text alone can't?

  • Why do so many students find the transition to middle school difficult? What kinds of changes happen between sixth and seventh grade?

  • How can you maintain a friendship with someone after they transfer to another school?

Book Details

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