This awesome graphic novel highlights what it is like to be the new kid in a school where you don't truly feel you belong with people who don't really get you.
Jordan Banks is not quite sure about life.
This is how I feel every single day of my life, like I'm falling without a parachute.
His mom and dad have decided that Jordan needs to go to a better school. His mother is a little in love with this new school. Jordan just wants to draw.
Every couple pages, Jordan's illustrations show up, which is great!
The first day of school, Jordan is picked up by another father taking his son to school. Jordan impresses him with his super strong handshake and climbs in next to a sleeping schoolmate.
Not the best way to start a new school.
But, Liam, the sleeping schoolmate wakes up enough to give Jordan a tour. The school is just as impressive and beautiful as his mother said it would be.
Most of the kids are white, but then, Jordan spies Maury, another kid who looks like him.
And then Drew walks in, both of them standing out to each other due to their non-whiteness.
Eventually, Liam, Drew, and Jordan become a squad.
How everyone feels in a new cafeteria. Just as he is making friends through his art, the sophomores let them know they sat at the wrong table.
I love this cafeteria hierarchy!
The transformation from the school neighboorhood back to his own turf.
Trying to maintain old friendships while going to different schools....
Going over to Liam's house (mansion) is an education in itself.
Striking up a friendship with Alexandra, who wears a puppet on her hand all the time.
Drew runs afoul of one of the teachers, who is always calling him the name of a different black kid. This teacher is calling him out for something everyone else does all the time.
Jordan isn't too sure about this. He understands where Drew is coming from, but... to tell a teacher they were wrong!!
Jordan's perception of books for African American kids. I honestly think this is slowly but surely changing for the better.
Drew finally helps the teacher understand the difference between him and DeAndre.
Mrs. R is just not a favorite. She reads Jordan's private journal and finds out some unpleasant things about herself.
At the end of the year, things are pretty good.
It wasn't an easy year, but Jordan found his people and made peace with this new school.
Even his art gets accepted. As the cover of the year book.
This is a great book discussing typical middle school things, race, and being true to yourself while letting yourself grasp a new opportunity.
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