Book Series · 3 Books

New Kid Books

Three connected graphic novels about friendship, identity, race, class, and finding your place at a mostly white private school.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated August 11, 2026

Reading order

How to Read the New Kid Books

Read New Kid, Class Act, and School Trip in publication order. Jerry Craft describes the later books as companions, and the focus shifts among friends, but the shared cast and school relationships develop across all three.

Begin with New Kid for Jordan's arrival at Riverdale Academy, then continue with Class Act and School Trip. The three-book box set contains these same stories rather than an additional volume.

Sources: Jerry Craft's official New Kid three-book set, Jerry Craft's official author site.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

The books directly address racism, microaggressions, stereotyping, class and privilege, teacher bias, bullying, and the strain these place on friendships. Humor makes the stories approachable, but the unfair treatment is not treated as a joke.

Different characters sometimes misunderstand or hurt one another, which creates useful opportunities to discuss listening, speaking up, code-switching, empathy, and how institutions can make students feel that they do not belong.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2279

Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

New Kid

By Jerry Craft

A young artist navigates two worlds, struggling to fit in at a new school.

249 pages· 14,169 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

5.8/7 Bookroo

$23.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Seventh grader Jordan Banks dreams of art school, but his parents send him to a prestigious academy where he's one of the few kids of color. Torn between his diverse neighborhood and the elite school, Jordan must find a way to fit in without losing himself. Can he balance these worlds and stay true to his passion for drawing? Discover the challenges and triumphs of a young artist caught between two cultures in this compelling graphic novel.

In reading order