School Trip: A Graphic Novel (The New Kid)

This is a good coming of age nook. I was interested in seeing the interactions and play with all the characters.

School Trip Jerry Craft Quill Tree Books, 2023 In the third book of the New Kid series, School Trip takes the crew to Paris, France. As an educator and parent, I am thrilled that Jerry continues to weave humor, wit, love, and acceptance into an enjoyable narrative that takes full advantage of the comics medium. This newest book teaches us about the importance of truly seeing one another for our differences and similarities. That we are all unique in our shared humanity and deserve to be treated so. Jerry does not talk down to the reader and hits head on issues such as bullying, microaggressions, and othering people. However, these topics are handled in an accessible and empathetic way that can only help us to become better people. There is no hate or judgement here. No need to feel guilty. But this book will open vital conversations so that we are all accepted and freed from a prison of prejudice. This entire series is one that we need to be reading with our young people and I know, from personal experience, that they WANT to read these books. We laugh and learn by reading the work of Jerry Craft. We become better humans. I cannot think of a better compliment to give. I also love reading and rereading Jerry’s books as there is just so much to take in on the first few readings. One has to read deeply, both the prose and illustrations, to see all the easter eggs to authors, book titles, and current events that are embedded throughout the pages. Jerry gives us a love letter to the comics medium in his shout-outs to other popular artists, authors, and books! Jerry sums up his work best by saying, “All I have ever wanted to do was to make the books I wish I had when I was a kid. To show kids of color in new and positive ways.”

"School Trip: A Graphic Novel (The New Kid)" is an absolute gem that I stumbled upon while browsing for new reads. From the moment I opened its pages, I was transported into a world of vivid illustrations and compelling storytelling. The characters are wonderfully crafted, each with their own unique personality and quirks that make them relatable and endearing. The plot follows a group of students on an unforgettable school trip, filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me eagerly flipping through the pages. What truly sets this graphic novel apart is its ability to tackle important themes such as friendship, self-discovery, and acceptance in a way that is both engaging and heartfelt. As someone who appreciates a good graphic novel, I was thoroughly impressed by the depth and emotional resonance of "School Trip." Whether you're a fan of graphic novels or simply looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking read, I highly recommend diving into the world of "School Trip." It's a journey you won't soon forget!

The first things I noticed are that the drawings and colorations are better than the first. Jerry has improved as a storyteller and an artist. Known for noticing things that other people miss, Jerry placed Easter eggs throughout his book, such as his self portrait in a book store window selling banned books. You really have to pay attention to the background. It is not dead space but filled with details that brighten the story. His writing is more nuanced than before, navigating race, friendship, religion, and the freedom to create. I finished this book in a day. I highly recommend it.

While still making some great points about racism, microaggressions, and classism, this third installment of The New Kid series is my least favorite. It's kind of all over the place, which could be on purpose since middle-schoolers are sometimes that way, but it felt very much like a slice-of-life story where the reader just follows these kids as they wander through Paris. I liked the point made that all kids, regardless of race or class, should see the world and how things are different in other countries. I also liked that the kids addressed some long-standing issues they've had with each other. But I wanted to see more of Jordan's initial conflict, which was him deciding whether to go to art school next year or stay where he's at with these friends at their school. I wanted to see him debate this a bit more while experiencing the art in Paris. At the end of the book, he teases out his decision (that the reader has no idea what it is) and then it doesn't matter anyway because his parents decide for him. Very disappointing.

I enjoyed School Trip as much as Class Act and New Kid. Like Ms. Brickner, I sometimes struggle to read graphic novels because I am still developing that skill, but I enjoy the medium and enjoy sharing them with students. As an author, Craft doesn't just touch on but explicitly (and accurately) shares experiences of people of color, something that will help build understanding in school communities.

We own the other two books in this series and love them, including this newest addition. I love the minority representation and the author’s willingness to address issues minority students face. The artwork is great as well. If you’ve enjoyed the other books in this series, you will like this book too.

I love this graphic novel of the 3rd book of the series. I love how they put topics that are not as talked about but still have a creative twist on it. It's funny, it talks about anti-bullying which is amazing that such a funny book could have all of that creativeness in only 200 pages!