”New Kid” is a banned book! It’s a graphic novel about an African American kid named Jordan who had the opportunity to attend an extremely wealthy and well-financed private school that lacked diversity. It was interesting to see this kid’s perspective on how well-meaning adults acted around people of color.
For example, teachers often mixed up the names of black kids. When an African American teacher asked Jordan how things were going, he mentioned how he was upset at teachers for calling him by the wrong name. The teacher tried to assure Jordan that it’s an innocent mistake and doesn’t happen often. Then a white teacher walk by and said to the teacher, “I hope you have an undefeated season Coach!” Jordan asked the teacher what he coached. Apparently, the white teacher got the black teacher mixed up with another faculty member! Then we have the situation of where it’s assumed that black male students are athletic and into sports.
Another example was gifts around the holidays. It was interesting how some of the gifts came across as racially insensitive because they were based on stereotypes.
The term “financial aid” was often whispered or inferred because the private school didn’t want to make anyone feel ashamed that they’re on it. That actually seemed to make it worse. It was often assumed kids who were biracial or people of color (BIPOC) are also on scholarship.
Poor Jordan also felt like he didn’t fit in at home because when he was hanging out with friends from his neighborhood, they teased him by calling him “private school.” On the other hand, readers realize what an opportunity Jordan had to get a better education.
I can see how this book was banned and considered “critical race theory” because it mentions race often. For some reason, those who want to ban books often pick on books written by and about BIPOC or LGBTQIA people. It’s almost as if they don’t want you to know that anyone other than heterosexual white people exist or accomplish anything. They don’t want you to understand the perspectives of people who are different than them.
In the real world, we are all different. We go through different experiences. Unique things happen to all of us. BIPOC people have different experiences than caucasians. They are often treated differently because of their skin color. If we try to act like a colorblind society and pretend race doesn’t exist, we will totally miss what makes each of us special. We are all different in our own unique and beautiful ways!
This book will make any new kid laugh at all the challenges they face when moving to a new school. It will also help other kids in school realize what it’s like to be the new kid or just a kid who is different. I also enjoyed all the pop culture references!
Reading allows us to understand different experiences. It’s also important for different people to find books about others who are just like them. The Pickleball Librarian highly recommends this book!
