# New Kid

**Author:** Jerry Craft
**Grade range:** Grades 4–8
**Age range:** 8–13
**First published:** 2019
**Page count:** 256
**Genre:** Middle Grade Graphic Novel
**ISBN-13:** `9780062691194`
**ISBN-10:** `0062691198`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/new-kid
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Jordan Banks, one of the few Black kids at a prestigious private school, navigates microaggressions and identity in the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Medal (2020). The book has been widely assigned in 5th-7th grade ELA and is also among the most-challenged graphic novels in US schools per PEN America's index, frequently cited for its discussion of race.

## Themes

- race and identity
- code-switching
- middle school adjustment
- graphic narrative
- private vs public school
- friendship

## Content notes

- microaggressions
- discussion of racism

Common Sense Media age recommendation: 9+

## Where this book is assigned

### Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)

### Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Arkansas — [source: Arkansas State Library / Arkansas Literacy Association — Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; annual since 1971)](https://library.arkansas.gov/programs/book-awards/charlie-may-simon-book-award/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Arkansas — [source: Arkansas State Library / Arkansas Literacy Association — Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; annual since 1971)](https://library.arkansas.gov/programs/book-awards/charlie-may-simon-book-award/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Arkansas — [source: Arkansas State Library / Arkansas Literacy Association — Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; annual since 1971)](https://library.arkansas.gov/programs/book-awards/charlie-may-simon-book-award/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Arkansas — [source: Arkansas State Library / Arkansas Literacy Association — Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; annual since 1971)](https://library.arkansas.gov/programs/book-awards/charlie-may-simon-book-award/)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Arkansas — [source: Arkansas State Library / Arkansas Literacy Association — Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; annual since 1971)](https://library.arkansas.gov/programs/book-awards/charlie-may-simon-book-award/)

### Common Core State Standards (ELA)

- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: CCSS ELA grades 4-5 contemporary graphic-novel Newbery Medal](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: CCSS ELA grades 6-8 graphic-novel exemplar](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · New York — [source: NY Next Gen Standards grade 6 — NYC-set graphic novel](https://www.nysed.gov/)

### Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)

### Coretta Scott King Author Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade — [source: Coretta Scott King Author Award winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2020 CSK Author Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coretta_Scott_King_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: Coretta Scott King Author Award winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2020 CSK Author Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coretta_Scott_King_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: Coretta Scott King Author Award winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2020 CSK Author Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coretta_Scott_King_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade — [source: Coretta Scott King Author Award winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2020 CSK Author Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coretta_Scott_King_Award)
- **recommended** · 8th grade — [source: Coretta Scott King Author Award winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2020 CSK Author Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coretta_Scott_King_Award)

### Garden State Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · New Jersey — [source: New Jersey Library Association — Garden State Children's Book Award selections (statewide children's-choice program; students vote, since 1977)](https://njla.org/garden-state-childrens-book-award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · New Jersey — [source: New Jersey Library Association — Garden State Children's Book Award selections (statewide children's-choice program; students vote, since 1977)](https://njla.org/garden-state-childrens-book-award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · New Jersey — [source: New Jersey Library Association — Garden State Children's Book Award selections (statewide children's-choice program; students vote, since 1977)](https://njla.org/garden-state-childrens-book-award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · New Jersey — [source: New Jersey Library Association — Garden State Children's Book Award selections (statewide children's-choice program; students vote, since 1977)](https://njla.org/garden-state-childrens-book-award)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · New Jersey — [source: New Jersey Library Association — Garden State Children's Book Award selections (statewide children's-choice program; students vote, since 1977)](https://njla.org/garden-state-childrens-book-award)

### Great Lakes Great Books Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Michigan — [source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual, since 1989). Winner/honor/nominee rolls Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12.](https://michiganreading.org/Great-Lakes-Great-Books)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Michigan — [source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual, since 1989). Winner/honor/nominee rolls Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12.](https://michiganreading.org/Great-Lakes-Great-Books)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Michigan — [source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual, since 1989). Winner/honor/nominee rolls Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12.](https://michiganreading.org/Great-Lakes-Great-Books)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Michigan — [source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual, since 1989). Winner/honor/nominee rolls Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12.](https://michiganreading.org/Great-Lakes-Great-Books)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Michigan — [source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual, since 1989). Winner/honor/nominee rolls Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12.](https://michiganreading.org/Great-Lakes-Great-Books)

### Great Stone Face Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)

### Hawai'i Nēnē Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)

### Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)

### Mountain Laurel Book Award (Pennsylvania)

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Pennsylvania — [source: Mountain Laurel Book Award / Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award — PSLA official winners list (K-12 divisions), winners cross-verified via Goodreads award index](https://pyrcapsla.wixsite.com/pyrca/past-titles-and-winners)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Pennsylvania — [source: Mountain Laurel Book Award / Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award — PSLA official winners list (K-12 divisions), winners cross-verified via Goodreads award index](https://pyrcapsla.wixsite.com/pyrca/past-titles-and-winners)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Pennsylvania — [source: Mountain Laurel Book Award / Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award — PSLA official winners list (K-12 divisions), winners cross-verified via Goodreads award index](https://pyrcapsla.wixsite.com/pyrca/past-titles-and-winners)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Pennsylvania — [source: Mountain Laurel Book Award / Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award — PSLA official winners list (K-12 divisions), winners cross-verified via Goodreads award index](https://pyrcapsla.wixsite.com/pyrca/past-titles-and-winners)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Pennsylvania — [source: Mountain Laurel Book Award / Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award — PSLA official winners list (K-12 divisions), winners cross-verified via Goodreads award index](https://pyrcapsla.wixsite.com/pyrca/past-titles-and-winners)

### Newbery Medal

- **recommended** · 3rd grade — [source: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2020 Newbery Medal winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal)
- **recommended** · 4th grade — [source: Newbery Medal winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2020 Newbery Medal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal)
- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: Newbery Medal winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2020 Newbery Medal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: Newbery Medal winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2020 Newbery Medal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal)
- **recommended** · 7th grade — [source: Newbery Medal winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2020 Newbery Medal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal)
- **recommended** · 8th grade — [source: Newbery Medal winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2020 Newbery Medal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal)

### Volunteer State Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)

### Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Wyoming — [source: Wyoming Library Association — Indian Paintbrush Book Award, grades 4-6 (student-choice; annual since 1986); winner roll 1986-2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Paintbrush_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Wyoming — [source: Wyoming Library Association — Indian Paintbrush Book Award, grades 4-6 (student-choice; annual since 1986); winner roll 1986-2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Paintbrush_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Wyoming — [source: Wyoming Library Association — Indian Paintbrush Book Award, grades 4-6 (student-choice; annual since 1986); winner roll 1986-2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Paintbrush_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Wyoming — [source: Wyoming Library Association — Indian Paintbrush Book Award, grades 4-6 (student-choice; annual since 1986); winner roll 1986-2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Paintbrush_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Wyoming — [source: Wyoming Library Association — Indian Paintbrush Book Award, grades 4-6 (student-choice; annual since 1986); winner roll 1986-2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Paintbrush_Book_Award)

### Young Hoosier Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)

### Young Reader's Choice Award (Pacific Northwest)

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)

### Young Reader's Choice Award (PNLA)

- **recommended** · 4th grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2022 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2022 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2022 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2022 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 8th grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2022 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)

## Banned / challenged record

Documented removals or formal challenges in at least one school district in 5 states: FL, IA, OK, TN, TX. Source: [PEN America's Index of School Book Bans](https://pen.org/banned-book-list/) 2022-2024.

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