“This is how I feel every single day of my life, like I’m falling without a parachute.”

Even though he wanted to go to a school that focused on art, Jordan parents are thrilled that he has been accepted at the prestigious and elite Riverdale Academy.  When Jordan’s new student host, Liam, arrives to pick him up for the first day of school, Jordan is turned off by the attitudes of the obviously wealthy students and the huge primarily white school.  The school’s requirements for academic and athletic requirements are strenuous, but Jordan soon finds that Liam is a genuinely good guy that is constantly willing to help him navigate the campus and traditions.  Jordan also makes friends with fellow-financial aid student, Drew, and the trio soon become fast friends, despite their different backgrounds.  Jordan is constantly creating comics in the sketchbook that he always carries with him, and the ability to express his school frustrations that way help keep him from being overwhelmed.  As the schoolyear progresses, Jordan finds himself connecting with many of the other students, except for the offensive Andy, and finding the perfect balance between all the areas of his life.  However, when a teacher finds his notebook, Jordan worries if his honest observations of the challenges at school will bring his time there to an end.

This graphic novel seems to struggle a bit at the start while Craft seems to push race issues when not always present, but the story’s strong reminder of the danger of assumptions is timely and moving.  Throughout the book there is a mismatching of the artwork and some characters that will be unappealing to art-focused readers.  The overall message behind New Kid is engaging and the main character is genuine, but many readers might be surprised at this award-winning story.