Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny, heartfelt middle school tale explores race, class.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 104 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say this book addresses important themes such as racism and diversity while presenting a relatable story about the experiences of a biracial teen in a new school setting. Many reviews highlight its humor, engaging characters, and the recommendation for parents to read it alongside younger children to facilitate discussions about sensitive topics.
- diversity
- racism
- relatable story
- engaging characters
- parental guidance
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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?
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
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jerry Craft
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Adventures , School ( Middle School ) , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperCollins Children's Books
- Publication date : February 5, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : ALA Best and Notable Books , Coretta Scott King Medal and Honors , Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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