New Kid is the 2020 Winner of the Newbery Medal–and a whole other slew of awards.  Definitely a book worthy of the accolades it has received.  It combines the hot format of graphic novel with the timely issues that came out of the #weneeddiversebooks movement of a few years ago.  However, the beauty of the book is that it is accessible to all because let’s face it, we are all people and when it boils down to it, we all have the same fundamental issues as human beings.  Perhaps the overall mantra of the book could be summed up as “don’t make assumptions about people”.  Just because I look like you doesn’t mean I connect with you and just because I don’t look like you doesn’t mean I can’t connect with you.  This book gives a slice of the issues from not only Jordan’s perspective, but also a glimpse into what drives his mom, his dad, and the kids he meets at school.  The frustration of the various people comes through in a thoughtful and clear way.  Ultimately, the book ends without all the answers but in a hopeful manner.

The graphics are gorgeous and vibrant, and the graphic novel format is well-employed to add to the story-telling rather than distract from it. Recommended read!

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Boy draws comics depicting zombies (not-graphic or gross); two boys get in a scuffle and push each other and one falls.

Sex/Nudity:  A boy hopes a girl doesn’t kiss him; a boy teases another boy about having a girlfriend.

Mature Subject Matter:

Racial issues, bullying, social/economic disparity/issues.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None