Reviews

New Kid by Jerry Craft

aagbunn's review

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5.0

First graphic novel read, and I LOVED it! I enjoyed the themes that were being conveyed. I enjoyed it as an adult, and think it is a good read for everyone.

rollinsad's review

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adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

joshgroven's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

hollyxbear's review

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5.0

This book is so eye opening. The main characters are so personable and the things they go through can be understood and empathized with by all people young or old. I loved it and I cannot wait for the next book to be available for me to read.

gwendolyn_kensinger's review

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3.0

The story of a 12-year-old African American boy named Jordan Banks who experiences culture shock when he enrolls at a private school. I can completely see why this graphic novel is so popular and has won so many awards. I think it’s an excellent book for upper elementary and middle schoolers to read. The art is fantastic and the themes and topics explored are nuanced. It portrays middle school with such clarity. It tackles themes of race, class, microaggressions, and the quest for self-identity. I enjoyed Jordan’s pop up black and white illustrations throughout the story to further illustrate certain points. I had a great time reading it.

tphillips's review

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challenging emotional funny informative fast-paced

5.0

heyalisa's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

finn_the_sheep's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

bargainsleuth's review

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3.0

I find it is usually hit or miss with Newbery selections. Sometimes the books are really good reading if you are an adult, but would not attract the average child. They like books that cover intense issues, it seems, and this fits the bill. This graphic novel is appealing because of the format, and it tackles modern-day problems in a very real way. Sometimes the subject matter seems like it would go over the heads of an 8-year old, which is the lower age of who this is geared to. The story is good, but not great. Sometimes the problems of the protagonist are implied, so not all kids will get it. But a good effort was made to tackle the issues of poverty, racism, self expression, alienation, bullying, and more, but I think that because it tackles so many issues is why this book falls short of great for me.

suvata's review

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3.0

#StoryGraph: fiction contemporary graphic novel middle grade funny hopeful reflective fast-paced
256 pages | first published 2019

New kid struggling to fit into a new school where he is a minority. Seventh grade can be so hard especially if you’re a scholarship kid in a very prestigious school.