Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
New Kid summary
Jerry Craft
Brief summary
New Kid by Jerry Craft is a captivating graphic novel that follows Jordan Banks, a 12-year-old African American boy, as he navigates the challenges of being the new kid at a prestigious private school while confronting issues of race and identity.
Table of Contents
New Kid
Summary of key ideas
Adapting to a New Environment
In New Kid by Jerry Craft, we meet Jordan Banks, a seventh-grader who loves to draw. Jordan is an African American boy from Washington Heights, who is starting at a prestigious private school, Riverdale Academy Day School. He is excited about the new opportunities but is also apprehensive about fitting in. Jordan is immediately confronted with the school's lack of diversity, and he feels out of place.
He is the only black student in his grade and is often mistaken for the other black students. Jordan is also subjected to microaggressions and racial stereotypes. He is placed in a group of students who are all white and wealthy, and he feels isolated. Jordan struggles to find his place in this new environment and grapples with his identity.
Challenges and Growth
As the school year progresses, Jordan faces various challenges. He has to navigate the complexities of friendships, deal with teachers who have low expectations of him, and confront the racial biases that exist in the school. He also has to balance his life at school with his life back home in Washington Heights, where he feels more comfortable and accepted.
Despite these challenges, Jordan finds solace in his art. He uses his drawings to express his feelings and experiences. He also forms a close friendship with a boy named Drew, who is also a minority at the school. Through their friendship, Jordan learns to embrace his identity and stand up against racial injustices.
Understanding and Acceptance
As the story progresses, Jordan begins to understand the different perspectives of his classmates. He realizes that they, too, have their own struggles and insecurities. He also learns that not everyone at the school is prejudiced, and some are willing to stand up against racial biases.
At the end of the school year, Jordan participates in a school project where he shares his experiences as a minority student. His presentation helps his classmates understand the challenges he faced and the importance of diversity and inclusion. Jordan also learns to appreciate the opportunities that Riverdale Academy offers him, despite its flaws.
Embracing Individuality
In conclusion, New Kid is a powerful story about identity, diversity, and acceptance. It sheds light on the challenges faced by minority students in predominantly white institutions and the importance of embracing individuality. Jordan's journey is a reminder that it's okay to be different and that our differences should be celebrated, not shunned.
The novel ends with Jordan looking forward to the next school year, hoping to make a positive impact on his school and continue to express himself through his art. His experiences have made him stronger and more confident in his identity, and he is ready to face whatever challenges come his way.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is New Kid about?
New Kid by Jerry Craft is a captivating graphic novel that follows seventh grader Jordan as he navigates his new, predominantly white, private school. Through Jordan's experiences, the book addresses issues of race, identity, and fitting in, while also highlighting the power of friendship and self-discovery. It's a thought-provoking and heartfelt story that will resonate with readers of all ages.
New Kid Review
New Kid (2019) by Jerry Craft tells the story of Jordan Banks, a seventh-grader who faces challenges fitting into a new prep school as one of the few students of color. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Its humorous and relatable storyline allows readers to empathize with Jordan's experiences and navigate the complexities of identity and self-discovery.
- The book addresses important themes such as racism, microaggressions, and inclusion, promoting conversations and understanding among young readers.
- Through its visually engaging format of a graphic novel, complete with colorful illustrations, New Kid captures the attention of readers, making it anything but boring.
Who should read New Kid?
- Readers who enjoy engaging and thought-provoking graphic novels
- Young people navigating issues of identity, diversity, and fitting in
- Educators and parents looking for a way to spark conversations about race, privilege, and inequality
Categories with New Kid
Book summaries like New Kid
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
New Kid FAQs
What is the main message of New Kid?
The main message of New Kid is about embracing your identity and finding your place in a new environment.
How long does it take to read New Kid?
The reading time for New Kid varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is New Kid a good book? Is it worth reading?
New Kid is a must-read for its relatable and thought-provoking story of navigating change, friendship, and diversity.
Who is the author of New Kid?
Jerry Craft is the author of New Kid.
What to read after New Kid?
If you're wondering what to read next after New Kid, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susann Jeffers
- Making It All Work by David Allen
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
- Mindset by Carol Dweck
- Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
- Switch by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
- The Da Vinci Curse by Leonardo Lospennato
- The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau