New Kid by Jerry Craft

Jordan is going to a new school for the first time.  He is from the Bronx, but his new school is a private school uptown.  Jordan experiences subtle acts of prejudice, but eventually makes friends with two other boys who each have their own reasons for feeling like outsiders.

I am a little embarrassed that it took me so long to read this book that got starred reviews everywhere last year and was the first graphic novel to win the Newbery.  I ended up liking it a lot.  It feels like the Smile by Telgemeier or Real Friends by Hale, but with a boy main character.  Craft sheds a light on all the subtle ways we can be and show prejudice.  One of Jordan's teacher's keeps calling him the name of the other black kid in his grade.  One of the boys keeps calling his Hispanic friend Mexican even though he is from Nicaragua.  Jordan, himself, is prejudice because he thinks his rich white friend doesn't have his own struggles.  Jordan shows courage to reach out, to defend, and to lift, and as he does, he builds friendships that cross social divides. (2019, 256 p.)