New Kid

New Kid is a 2019 graphic novel by Jerry Craft. The novel tells the story of a 12-year-old black boy,
Jordan Banks, who experiences culture shock when he enrolls at a private school. Taking place over
Jordan's freshman year at a prestigious private school, he has to adjust to a new school,
experiences and witnesses microaggressions, and makes friends with other students. The book is
semi-autobiographical for Craft, who based the book on his experiences in a private school and those
of his two sons. While he wishes the book to be appreciated by a wide range of readers, Craft
particularly wanted it to accurately reflect a present day African American experience.
The book was well received by critics, sold well, and won the 2020 Kirkus Prize, Newbery Medal, and
Coretta Scott King Award. It was the first graphic novel to be awarded the Newbery Medal. The book's
illustrations, using a unique amount of graphical styles, helped to achieve a balance between the
book's humorous and dramatic elements. Its critical and award success was viewed at the time as an
important achievement for graphic novels.