Comparison

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library vs New Kid

How Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein and New Kid by Jerry Craft compare on reading level, grade placement, curriculum overlap, and shared themes — derived from primary-source citations on each book’s ReadingList page.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Chris Grabenstein

Grades
4–6
Published
2013
Pages
338
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New Kid

Jerry Craft

Grades
4–8
Published
2019
Pages
256
Genre
Middle Grade Graphic Novel
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At a glance

Grade-range overlap
Grades 4–6
Year-of-publication gap
6 years (2013 vs 2019)
Page-count gap
82 pages (338 vs 256)
Shared curricula
65 of 139
Shared themes
0 of 6

Curriculum overlap

Both books appear in 65 shared curriculum frameworks:

Themes

Only New Kid

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

Common questions

Which is harder to read, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library or New Kid?
Lexile data not available for one or both titles in this comparison. See each book's page (Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and New Kid) for grade-range + reading-level estimates from school assignments.
What grade level is Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library vs New Kid?
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: 4-6 grade range. New Kid: 4-8 grade range. Both assigned within the 3-5 band. Specific district and curriculum vary; see each book's page for the full assignment history.
Which is more commonly taught, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library or New Kid?
Both Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and New Kid are in the top-10 most-cited books on ReadingList.school across US school assignments and curricula. Each book's individual page (Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, New Kid) lists every tracked assignment with source citation, so you can see which has broader curriculum reach in your specific region.
Should I read Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library or New Kid first?
If they're in the same school year, follow the syllabus order (usually chronological by publication or grouped by theme). If reading independently: start with the shorter or lower-Lexile title (Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library or the other) to build context, then move to the other. Both titles often appear together on AP / IB reading lists as paired study.

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Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Chris Grabenstein

Where to find this book

Audible: many assigned titles are included with a membership, and listening starts right away, with no wait for delivery. Offers vary by account.

Other formats on Amazon: Kindle · Audiobook

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New Kid

Jerry Craft

Where to find this book

Audible: many assigned titles are included with a membership, and listening starts right away, with no wait for delivery. Offers vary by account.

Other formats on Amazon: Kindle · Audiobook

As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you. Pricing, Prime, and trial terms shown on Amazon.

Related on ReadingList

Comparison data computed from each book’s curriculum citations, Lexile measures (MetaMetrics), grade-range references (state ELA frameworks + AP/IB syllabi), and ban records (PEN America 2022-2024 index + ALA). Last reviewed: 2026-09-11.

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