What he finds, though, is that while there are kids who stereotype him, he realizes he’s kind of stereotyped others, too.  Readers get a window into the world of micro-aggressions, and just may learn that people are people are people – kind, mean, charismatic, withdrawn – and it isn’t dependent on their race.  The bottom line here is that this book is really, on its most basic level, about middle school and all that means for kids.

Graphic novel readers will enjoy this, especially the Telgemeier, Holm, and Jamieson book lovers. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Book Award nominee, 2020)

Booktalk #2

Have you ever felt that being the new kid was a label you could never shake? Jordan Banks, a 7th grade student from Washington Heights, who is transported to Riverdale Academy, definitely stands out as one of the few minority students at the mostly white, privileged prep school. Jordan navigates his new surroundings with his trusty sketch book that becomes his protective shield through the middle school halls, in the cafeteria, and with everyday peer interactions. How will Jordan survive his first year at Riverdale? Will he find balance between his school life and the life he has always known in his neighborhood? Friendship, loyalty, and Jordan’s strong desire to remain true to himself will be tested to their limits in this graphic novel. (Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award 2020-2021)

Booktalk #3

If you have ever been the new kid in school, you know how hard it is. Navigating new classes and teachers, making new friends, and finding where you belong. This is exactly what Jordan is facing in New Kid. Despite his pleas to attend art school, Jordan’s parents send him to the Riverdale Academy Day school, a fancy private school known for rigorous academics. And Jordan can’t help but notice that there are only a few students of color like him in the whole school. As Jordan makes the journey back and forth between school and his home in Washington Heights, it seems his two lives will always have to be separate, and Jordan faces tough choices about the kind of person he wants to be. (Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Awards, 2021)

Booktalk #4

Jordan wants to go to art school. Jordan’s parents want him to get the best education possible. Unfortunately for Jordan this means going to a fancy school in a wealthy neighborhood with kids whose family members have buildings named after them. Jordan has to learn how to adjust to his new environment where he is one of a handful of minorities, and also how to navigate between his two worlds - the mostly minority neighborhood he lives in and the upper class community where his school is located. At school he has to handle stereotypes, racism, bullying, and figuring out where and how he fits in both in school and at home. Will Jordan find his place or will he look for a new school? (Sunshine State Young Readers Award Books 2020-2021)

Booktalk #5

Jordan just wants to go to art school and make comics, but his parents send him to an exclusive private school instead. He tries to find his place as one of the few students of color in his class, navigating life between his Washington Heights neighborhood and Riverdale Academy Day School. Realistic Fiction/Graphic Novel. (Rhode Island Middle School Book Award 2021)

Booktalk 6

Jordan really wants to go to art school – but instead his parents send him to an academically acclaimed and predominately white school where the students make him feel awful. He struggles with simultaneously fitting in at home with friends in his Washington Heights neighborhood and with the students at River Academy – while also remaining true to himself. A great graphic novel for discussion about class, race, being yourself, building bridges, and calling out insensitive and hypocritical behavior.  (Vermont Middle Grade Book Award, 2021)