book

New Kid

Name: New Kid
Author: Jerry Craft

Jerry Craft · 2019

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for New Kid by Jerry Craft. This book is recommended for ages 9+; content notes include Products & advertising, Romance, Strong language; positive qualities include Creativity & curiosity, Diverse representation.

Ages 9+Source checked

Why this age? The book deals with middle school social dynamics, microaggressions, and the challenges of being a minority in a private school setting. Themes are appropriate for older children and early teens, with no content that would be considered inappropriate. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age9+

Strongest cautions

Products & advertising1/5
Romance1/5
Strong language1/5

Strongest positives

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Diverse representation4/5
Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5

Why this rating?

Occasional passing references to pop culture, but not product placement.

Strong language1/5

Why this rating?

Mild teasing, name-calling, and socially hurtful labels such as “Private School” appear; strong profanity is not indicated.

Romance1/5

Why this rating?

Very light mentions of middle school social dynamics and minor schoolyard crushes.

Violence1/5

Why this rating?

Minor physical conflict and sports incidents occur, including an argument, a fall, and a character being benched; violence is not graphic or central.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5

Why this rating?

Characters show social and moral courage by addressing prejudice, defending peers, adapting to unfamiliar settings, and expressing their identities.

Creativity & curiosity4/5

Why this rating?

Jordan loves drawing and cartoons, pursues art, and ultimately has his artwork selected for the yearbook cover.

Diverse representation4/5

Why this rating?

Race, culture, socioeconomic difference, family background, and school-community contrasts are central, with Black characters' experiences given sustained attention.

Educational value3/5

Why this rating?

The book offers meaningful social and emotional learning about microaggressions, privilege, identity, friendship, and school culture.

Kindness & empathy4/5

Why this rating?

Friendship, support, honest conversations, and defending a wrongly accused classmate are important recurring elements.

Positive messages4/5

Why this rating?

Strong messages support empathy, standing up against prejudice, authentic friendship, inclusion, self-acceptance, and bridging different communities.

Good role models4/5

Why this rating?

Jordan and his friends learn from mistakes, advocate for one another, and navigate identity thoughtfully, though some peers and adults behave unfairly.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
Did products, possessions, or buying things matter to the story? What message did that send?
Which choice in New Kid would you have made differently, and why?
Who changed the most in New Kid, and what caused that change?

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