New Kid

OK, so at first the drawings seemed to make me dizzy. But then I actually enjoyed it. I guess the characters started to look less 2D too. So I read this for “Great Middle Grade” Reads group's book of the month. And I gotta say, it was fine. I guess it was worth the hype... Jordan was cool and I resonated with the “I want to be an artist but still goes to academic school”, lol. His family was so supportive and nice too. And his friends, even though I found his classmates at times quite weird. I couldn't figure out Jordan's ethnicity though like he was “colored” but not as tan as the other black friends he had. His dad seemed lighter than his mom, and he liked Chinese food a lot (as well as his grandpa) so I think maybe his dad is mixed or something, or Latino... I dunno. It's said that the school doesn't have much diversity, but I saw quite some tan, black, and Asian-looking peeps, so it wasn't too bad. Even though his glasses teacher was really annoying. It was fun, I recommend it to MG, graphic novels, diversity books, etc.

Every choice here is excellent. The humor is zingy and current, the teen voices are accurate, the microagressions and depictions of well meaning and much-less-well-meaning teachers are true and deep, the family and friend relationships live and breathe. Wow. So good. The chapter titles all as puns/jokes on movies and books was particularly delightful. So much for kids, teens, and adults to unpack and discuss. This should be cleaning up come award season!

Gah! Why did I wait so long to read this book???? I loved everything about it-the character growth, the illustrations, the warmth and humor. This is a perfect book for my 5th graders as they get ready to start middle school and become “the new kid.” I also loved the message of looking beneath the surface and really getting to know someone for who they are but also giving new situations a chance. Another addition for my classroom library.

Jordan loves to draw. But instead of sending him to art school, his parents put him in a prestigious private school where he knows no one. Will he fit in? Will he make friends? Will he get opportunities to practice his art?

I was struck by the honesty of this story, by the genuineness of the situations, by the truth of the feelings of the characters. This is a great graphic novel. I hope it finds a large readership.

I thought this was wonderful. How it handles race and socio-economic differences are just perfect for middle-grade readers, especially those who grow up in a non-diverse bubble. My only gripes are the lack of helpful adults (Grandpa being the one exception here). The teachers were just....a-holes and the lack of non-stereotypical females. Seriously, the only female characters are a gossip girl who is used as a tool and a clearly troubled young lady who is, for most of the book, brushed off as “crazy”. She does grow as a character, but only after my pity for her was ripping me right out of the plot and had me wondering why no one was offering this child therapy. As an adult, I realize that I am not the target audience for this book but I felt like I learned something. Also, how fabulous to see a family celebrating Kwanza!!! Loved it!!