New Kid
Craft, Jerry. 2019. New Kid. Quill Tree Books. Ill. by Jerry Craft.New York, NY. ISBN 978-0062691194
PLOT SUMMARY
Jordan Banks is nervous about his move to Riverdale, a new private school on the other side of town and in a very distinct neighborhood. In comparison to his old school in Washington Heights, his new school is quite a different place where only a few African American students attend. Jordan would much rather go to an art school since he has a talent for drawing, but his parents insist that this new school will open doors and bring many opportunities. Most of the students at Riverdale come from affluent homes and travel around the world. Jordan learns to make new friends along the way and constantly remembers advice from his grandpa about treating others kindly. Although he has different interests than many of the students at Riverdale, he learns to accept them and finds similarities between some of his classmates.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
New Kid covers important themes for teens such as friendship, bullying, and rich vs poor. The main character ,Jordan, shows the typical tween problems at a school. The vocabulary used by the author is entertaining and simple. The characters’ dialogue is easy to follow. The use of figurative language such as similes and metaphors make the story comical. The drawings are loud and colorful bringing life to the book. When Jordan shows his sketchbook, the layout changes to black and white drawings. The author makes allusions to other books such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the Hunger Games.
REVIEWS:
School Library Journal (starred review)- “More than a story about being the new kid-it's a complex examination of the micro- and macro aggressions that Jordan endures from classmates and teachers...Highly recommended.”
Booklist (starred review)- “Speaking up about the unrepresented experience of so many students makes this a necessary book, particularly for this age group.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)- “ [A] heartbreakingly accurate middle-grade tale of race, class, microaggressions, and the quest for self-identity...Engrossing, humorous, and vitally important.”
Awards:
Newbery Honor Award Winner
Correta Scott King Award
CONNECTIONS
For students who experience changes in their lives, such as going to a new school, moving to a new city, or making new friends.
Other related books:
Class Act by Jerry Craft
School Trip by Jerry Craft
MexiKid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin
Activitiy:
Divide class into groups. Assign different characters to each group. Have students draw a storyline about the character they chose. Have students highlight strengths and weaknesses in the character assigned.
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The Crossover
Alexander, Kwame. 2019. Crossover . Clarion Books. New York, NY. ISBN 978-0544935204
PLOT SUMMARY:
Joshua Bell and his twin brother JB are amazing basketball players who shine in their school’s 7th grade team. Their father, Chuck Bell, is a former Euroleague star who works at home, but spends his afternoon training his sons. Both boys have spectacular skills, compliment each other on the court, and are preparing to win the school championship. Everything works wonderfully, until JB begins dating and spending more time with Alexis, a girl from school. Joshua feels a bit jealous, out of place, and lonely because JB does not spend any time with him any more. Worst of all, his father’s health seems to be deteriorating and Joshua feels concerned.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The Crossover is written in free verse which gives it a more poetic style and highlights its emotional depth. The words used to describe Joshua playing basketball mirror the actions of the ball on the courts. The words glide, move, slide, and flow in the same manner. The verses are filled with metaphors and similes that create a connection with the readers. The vocabulary is simple, however, certain important words are specified and defined to show the significance of their meaning. Some words are bolded and have different font styles to create a more dynamic rhythm to the verses. The illustrator gives a vivid portrayal of the emotions of young teens experiencing first love, loss, frustration and enthusiasm.
REVIEW:
Kirkus, starred review -"This novel in verse is rich in character and relationships. . . . Poet Alexander deftly reveals the power of the format to pack an emotional punch."
School Library Journal, starred review- "Alexander has crafted a story that vibrates with energy and heat and begs to be read aloud. A slam dunk."
Awards:
Newbery Award Winner
Coretta Scott King Award
CONNECTIONS
For those who are passionate about the game of basketball.
For students who experience an unexpected loss of a parent.
Other related books:
The Academy by T.Z. Layton
Rebound by Kwame Alexander
Activities:
Group students and research about a famous basketball player. Have students give presentations in class. Presentations can be a poster, a powerpoint, or a collage of pictures.
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Roller Girl
Jamieson,Victoria. 2015. Roller Girl. Dial Books. New York. NY. ISBN 978-0803740167
PLOT SUMMARY
Astrid is enjoying her summer time with her best friend, Nicole, before beginning junior high. Astrid becomes enthralled after going to a roller derby competition. She is excited and asks her mother to enroll her into a roller derby summer camp. However, Nicole prefers to go to dance camp which Astrid dislikes. Astrid realizes that to become a good roller skater one has to work hard to master the skills. As time passes, Astrid notices she may not have the strength or ability for roller skating with a roller derby team. The worst part of all of this is that Nicole finds a new friend who is more similar to her. The summer is becoming a disaster and Astrid feels out of place both at roller derby practice and when she tries to talk to her forever friend Nicole.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This graphic novel describes the life of a typical teen character who is going through changes in life. The drawings are colorful and vivid and display the emotions, energy and excitement of teen life. Themes in this novel include friendship, perseverance, and girl power. Allusions are made to the Wolverine and to several well-known musicals such as West Side Story. The use of figurative language such as similes and metaphors add to the comical aspect of the novel. The author gives an accurate description of the rules, player positions, and skills needed to be a superior roller derby skater.
REVIEW
School Library Journal- “Twelve-year-old Astrid realizes that her interests are distinctly different from those of her best friend. Mesmerized while viewing a roller derby, she dreams of becoming a "Roller Girl" but discovers that the sport is considerably more daunting than she imagined and is not without physical, social, and emotional pain. Nevertheless, Astrid is determined to succeed.”
Kirkus, starred review- "Jamieson captures this snapshot of preteen angst with a keenly decisive eye, brilliantly juxtaposing the nuances of roller derby with the twists and turns of adolescent girls' friendships...Full of charm and moxie—don't let this one roll past." —
Publishers Weekly, starred review- "Readers will stand up and cheer."—
Awards:
A Newbery Honor book
2016-2017 Texas Bluebonnet Award winner
CONNECTIONS
For those experiencing changes with new friendship, new school, or new challenges.
Other related books:
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Activity:
Have students design their own roller derby uniform and add a creative name for a player.
Students can display a venn diagram depicting similarities and differences between roller derby and any other sport they play.
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Sisters
Telgemeier, Raina. 2002. Sisters. Graphix. New York, New York. ISBN 978-1338801880
PLOT SUMMARY
Raina is a soon to be high school student that wanted to have a sister, until her dream came true. When her parents announced the coming of a sister, Raina was filled with excitement about having someone to play with. Yet, soon she realized that it might not be as pleasant as she thought. Her younger sister, Amara, was very different from her and sometimes was extremely annoying. Raina’s mom, Raina, Amara, and her younger brother Will embark on a road trip from their home in California through Nevada and Colorado to visit family. Raina discovers that her father is not coming to the trip for a special reason.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sisters is a graphic novel that centers on the main theme about the importance of family. Even though Raina spends half of the time arguing with her sister, she realizes that her sister Amara will be her friend no matter what problems come their way.
The illustrator includes creative, colorful pictures throughout the book. The use of onomatopoeia is captured in many of the scenes to show character emotion. The vocabulary is simple and entertaining. Throughout the novel there are flashback scenes of when the characters were younger. There are several pictures of the author and her sister when they were children located in the back of the book. This gives a deeper connection and understanding that her graphic novels are memoirs that describe her childhood.
REVIEW
Kirkus Reviews, starred review "A wonderfully charming tale of family and sisters that anyone can bond with."
Publishers Weekly, starred review- "Alternately poignant and laugh-out-loud funny."
Booklist, starred review- "Telgemeier's art complements her writing to great effect, offering a cheerful, vivid cartoon simplicity that allows readers to instantly engage even as it leaves room for deeper truths to take hold."
Awards:
Will Eisner Award
CONNECTIONS:
For anyone with siblings who realize the struggles and joys they bring.
For those who enjoy family road trips.
Other related books:
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
Activity:
Have students share experiences about road trips. Have them plan a road trip including lists of where they would go and what items they would take.
Mis Quinces
Fajardo, Kat. 202. Mis Quinces. Graphix. New York, New York. ISBN 978-1338535594
PLOT SUMMARY
Suyapa Gutierrez is about to turn fifteen years old and her family is headed to Honduras to visit the family for summer. What Sue does not know is that her mom is planning a secret “quinceanera”, a family tradition that celebrates a girl turning fifteen years old and becoming a young lady. Sue would much rather spend her summer with friends at a camp than have to endure countless hours of waltz practice dancing, buying a ridiculous fluffy dress, and having to wear heels. The only one that seems to understand that Sue is different is “abuelita”, her beloved grandmother who she loves spending time with. As the story unfolds Sue realizes that family is everything especially when life seems to turn sour.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Mis Quinces is a graphic novel that centers on the main theme about the importance of family and Hispanic traditions. In most Hispanic households a quinceanera is what all young ladies hope for. The planning involved in this dance has everyone in the family participating, and it symbolizes the coming of age. The illustrator does an excellent job with detailed drawings of life in Honduras, which is quite a contrast from life in the U.S. Life in Honduras is more simple, without internet connection, and sometimes not even telephone service, the children spend time outdoors running through the streets. The style of writing is simple, with occasional Spanish words in the dialogue. The author shares family pictures at the end of the book that show the quinceanera with her “chambelanes”, her gown and tiara. She also describes what each step symbolizes such as the waltz, the tiara, the ring, the heels and the last doll ceremony. This book was published in both English and Spanish simultaneously.
REVIEW
School Library Journal, starred review- "With all of the charm of Raina Telgemeier and Lucy Knisley’s works, this title will be enjoyed by voracious fans of coming-of-age graphic novels. But the specificity of having to stride two cultures and feeling like an outcast in both will especially resonate with readers from bicultural communities."
The Horn Book, starred review “Fajardo’s deft graphic-novel paneling, expressive use of line, and color palette of cool blues and pinks convey the complexity and full range of Sue’s feelings in important moments and more mundane ones.”
Publishers Weekly- “Fajardo's sympathetic look at a girl learning that she can be herself and still cherish family tradition celebrates the beauty of Honduras with vivid, summery art."
Awards:
National Indie Bestseller
CONNECTIONS:
For anyone who celebrates family traditions.
For those who value the importance of family
For anyone who has family who lives in other countries.
Other related books:
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat
Activity:
Have students share experiences about family traditions which are unique from the customs celebrated in the United States.
Make a venn diagram comparing different Latin American countries and how they celebrate quinceaneras.
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