New Kid
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to New Kid
New Kid by Jerry Craft is a critically acclaimed graphic novel that follows the experiences of Jordan Banks, a seventh-grader from Washington Heights who is enrolled by his parents in a prestigious, predominantly white private school. Despite his passion for art school, Jordan must navigate the challenges of being one of the few students of color, confronting daily microaggressions and struggling to find his place between two different worlds: his diverse neighborhood and his new affluent school. The narrative skillfully blends humor with poignant observations on race, class, identity, and friendship, making it a powerful and relatable story for its target audience. The book is generally considered appropriate for middle-grade readers, offering valuable opportunities for discussion on social dynamics and empathy.
Things to Consider
Scary & Intense Content
The book presents intense social situations, particularly concerning racial microaggressions and bullying, which can be emotionally challenging. However, the overall tone often balances these moments with humor and positive resolutions, avoiding genuinely scary or horror elements.
Disrespect & Rebellion
The book depicts instances of mild disrespect and rebellion primarily as characters, especially Jordan and his friends, stand up against microaggressions and unfair treatment from peers and adults. This is portrayed as a positive act of self-advocacy rather than malicious defiance.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
Extensive searches for LGBTQ+ or gender identity content within "New Kid" and its direct sequels, as well as author statements, yielded no evidence of explicit LGBTQ+ characters, themes, or representation. The narrative focuses primarily on racial identity and socioeconomic differences.
Violence
The book contains no depicted graphic violence. There are brief mentions of potential violence in external contexts and a comedic-tension moment involving a fall.
Romance and Sexual Content
The graphic novel contains no explicit sexual content or significant romantic storylines. The focus remains on friendships and social navigation typical of middle schoolers.
Profanity
The book is noted for its clean language, containing no instances of strong profanity or offensive curse words.
Witchcraft & Occult
There is no content related to witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or supernatural elements within the story.
Substance Use
The narrative does not feature any instances or references to substance use, including alcohol, drugs, or smoking.
Anti-Christian Themes
The book does not contain any anti-Christian themes, mockery of Christian beliefs, or sacrilegious acts. Religious themes are largely absent from the narrative.
Jerry Craft's "New Kid" offers a rich narrative for Christian parents to discuss themes that resonate with biblical principles, particularly concerning justice, love for neighbor, and discerning truth. The book effectively addresses core themes of racial prejudice, social exclusion, and class differences, presenting situations where characters experience microaggressions and challenges due to their identity. From a Christian perspective, confronting prejudice and discrimination aligns with biblical calls for righteousness and valuing all individuals as created in God's image (Genesis 1:27), promoting empathy and understanding for those who are marginalized. The story generally rewards virtues such as kindness, adaptability, resilience, and forming genuine friendships across social divides, while subtly highlighting the negative consequences of pride, prejudice, and insensitivity. While direct moral accountability for negative actions isn't always overtly presented through punishment, the narrative often shows the relational strain and emotional impact of such behaviors, encouraging readers to recognize their harmfulness. The worldview presented is primarily humanistic, focusing on social dynamics, individual growth, and the importance of relationships and self-expression through art. It subtly critiques materialistic and privileged attitudes by showcasing the struggles faced by those who do not share in such advantages. There is no explicit mention or representation of faith or Christianity within the narrative. Regarding redemption themes, "New Kid" emphasizes growth, understanding, and the power of connection rather than explicit themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, or grace in a theological sense. Jordan's journey is one of self-discovery and finding his voice within a challenging environment, culminating in a deeper understanding of himself and others, as well as an expanded ability to bond with people from various backgrounds. His artistic expression becomes an outlet for processing his experiences and ultimately contributes positively to the school community, suggesting a form of personal redemption through creative engagement and honest self-expression. Family values are portrayed as strong and supportive, with Jordan's parents actively involved in his life and education, albeit with differing views on the best path for his future. His grandmother also plays a significant role in offering wisdom and guidance. The book shows the importance of parental guidance and open communication within the family unit, reflecting a valuing of family relationships and parental authority, even when children may initially resist their parents' decisions. While not explicitly Christian, the emphasis on empathy, justice, and the value of every individual offers strong points of connection for discussions within a Christian household about living out biblical principles in a complex world.
Additional Context
Best For Ages
The book is generally recommended for readers aged 8-9 and up, or grades 4-7, primarily due to its accessible graphic novel format and themes that resonate with middle school experiences, such as fitting in, friendship, and navigating social challenges. While it addresses mature topics like racial microaggressions, it does so in an age-appropriate manner, making it suitable for children ready to engage with these discussions.
Good to Know
Jerry Craft's "New Kid" is a significant work in children's literature, lauded for its honest portrayal of racial identity and microaggressions faced by students of color in predominantly white institutions. While the themes are serious, the graphic novel format and humorous elements make it accessible and engaging for its target audience. Parents should be aware that discussions about racism and social injustice are central to the plot, providing an excellent opportunity for family dialogue on these important topics. The sequel, "Class Act," continues to explore similar themes, suggesting a consistent approach to content across the series.
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