New Kid: Graphic Novel

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Discover the award-winning graphic novel New Kid by Jerry Craft, a powerful and relatable middle grade story about identity, belonging, and navigating two very different worlds. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Gene Luen Yang, this Newbery Medal–winning book blends humor, honesty, and heartfelt storytelling.

Seventh grader Jordan Banks would rather be drawing cartoons than anything else, but his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school instead of the art school he dreams about. Suddenly, Jordan finds himself commuting daily from his neighborhood in Washington Heights to Riverdale Academy Day School, where he is one of the few students of color in his grade.

As Jordan adjusts to his new environment, he struggles to balance two identities—his home life with his longtime friends and his new life at a school where he doesn’t always feel like he belongs. Between awkward moments, social challenges, and cultural differences, Jordan must figure out how to stay true to himself while finding his place in a world that feels divided.

Witty, insightful, and deeply moving, New Kid is a coming-of-age story that explores race, class, friendship, and self-expression through engaging illustrations and sharp storytelling.