New Kid (Newbery Medal Winner) by Jerry Craft
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Web ID: 85115888 reviews
A gripping story
I’ve heard good things about this book for years, and one day, I finally decided to just sit down and read it. It’s an easy, engaging read; I finished it within an hour or two. Even though it’s been a couple of months since I read the book, I’m still trying to decide what I actually think about the story. It’s interesting, and I was able to connect with the main character to some extent (and loved his sense of humor in the comics he drew!), but the story as a whole wasn’t particularly outstanding to me. I think my biggest takeaway from the book—and, honestly, the point of the story—was the need for all of us to accept others for who they are and where they are, and not be discriminatory based on preconceived expectations or what we’re personally comfortable with. I get tired of the current mantra about race and supremacy and culture, but in this book, the “inclusivity” advocated for appeared to me to be much more in line with common sense—to value each individual as a person, and appreciate each unique perspective and the gifts each person brings to the table, regardless of their background or race. In the end, this is a fun, easy read, all about a student who recently moved to a new school and the daily challenges he faced as he worked to find his place in the world. I enjoyed the book, and wouldn’t mind rereading it sometime.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Book project
I had to read New Kid by Jerry Kraft for my book project and let me say it did not disappoint. New Kid is a revolutionary book that deals with going to a new school and how that can affect someone. It started with your average seventh grader Jordan Banks who is excited about going to an art school. But this gets thrown out the window when his parents enroll him in the prestigious Riverdale academy. Throughout the book we see Jordan’s struggling to fit in. Eventually he makes two friends Liam and Drew. Liam is the stereotypical rich kid who loves in a big house and gets everything he wants. Drew on the other hand is the complete opposite of Liam living with his grandma in the not so great part of town. Jordan is a mix of both Liam and Drew and hangs out with both of them. After Liam defends Drew against the bully Andy they start to become friends. I really liked how they incorporated the fact that Riverdale is a mostly white school and showed how Drew and Jordan dealt with it. I liked how they had trouble fitting in with the rest of the kids and the struggles of going to a mostly white school. But I didn’t like how they had Andy as a bully and it gives off the stereotype that all bullies are white and they only target the minorities. New Kid is entertaining and relatable and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes graphic novels. It was so good I bought the second book in the series Class Act where it focuses on Drew.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great Graphic Novel
This one of a kind graphic novel is a fish out of water story that shows a middle class minority kid in a rich, privladged, White world. At the time that it was written, it was the only graphic novel that actually had a main character who was a normal black kid. Jordan's dream is to go to art school. But his mom sends him to a posh private school. She sees the limits that are put on minorities in the business world and feels that it is important for his future to learn to navigate the world outside their neighborhood and culture. What Jordon and the few other minority students find are all the slights and inconsitancies that will continue to face them. Teacher's that feel threatened, names that are constatly wrong, prejudice based on income as well as race, and of course, being middle school, obnoxious bullies. This was the first graphic novel to win the Caldecott as well as many other well deserving awards.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
My FAVORITE GRAPHIC NOVEL.
This book talks about racism and how not to judge something or someone by their cover and you should actually get to know them. AND I 100% RECOMMEND IT. GO READ IT.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
So cool!
I had this book in the library in my school and decided to pick it up sice I saw it was a graphic novel and I love to read graphic novels. I started reading it and soon lost track of time and finished it. I love the description and font in the book and the images wer cool too. This book was a mirror for me and I hope you like / liked it too.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
I love it
I bought this because it was in my school book wishlist and once I saw it was a graphic novel I feel in love with it . It’s such a good book . A must buy book
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A Wonderful Middle School Book
Jordan loves to draw and he is so excited to go to art school but his parents have a completely different idea. They enrolled Jordan to Riverdale Academy Day School, with a little bit of concern, it is a mostly white private school where Jordans is one of the fewer students colored at the Riverdale Academy. I would say that Jordan in the very beginning of the book was shy but full of artistic ability. Throughout the book, Jordan started to make friends and try to fit in with the rest of the students. All of Jordan's adventures took place mostly in school and Jordan's house. This story reminded me of how I felt about going to a new place. I have no idea where it was. Also learning different things was a bit of a challenge. To be honest that's what kinda had me wanting to read this book because of Jordan's experience of being to a new place and having to know what's on the other side of the door. Walking through that door knowing there is no turning back is kinda scary and also not knowing whether it is worth it or not. I like the book especially when you can make a lot of connections to the main character so I would say that this book is a success but I do have one suggestion though of the book and that explains more about the new friends that Jordan makes at the end of the book. I would say that comparing this book to other books I think that this one hit the interest the most and that is the plot of the storyline was consistent and I thought was right on the money with the picture which helped me understand a lot of the all of the emotional expression that Jordan's having. Now as for my conclusion I would say that the book New Kid can bring the enjoyment of reading the book especially middle schoolers and all of those also want to read it. I mean for me I could make a close connection with the character and also enjoyment of reading more about Jordan. For those who want to read the book especially those who can make a good connection with the book, you will enjoy reading such a wonderful book. I would say that this book deserves to have five stars or a 4 no less than that for such a wonderful book.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A really wonderful book for middle grade readers!
Now this is something to celebrate! This year, for the very first time, a graphic novel won the coveted Newbery Award! Graphic novels are now being wholeheartedly recognized by librarians as legit! No longer will kids have to sneak around to read their favorite books. New Kid, by Jerry Craft, is just the book to do it. It’s a warm and wonderful story of a black kid growing up in an urban neighborhood and traveling each day to attend a fancy private school. It’s about feeling torn between two worlds and finding your way while staying true to yourself.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com