New Kid, by Jerry Craft

A graphic novel and this year's winner of the Newbery Award for best kids book, New Kid by Jerry Craft tells the story of Jordan Banks, 7th grader, and new kid at school. Not just any school, but a prestigious prep school where most of the other kids are from wealthy families and are White, neither of which fits Jordan's life (although his family isn't poor, either, but they don't Christmas Break in other parts of the world on ski vacations, as some of Jordan's new classmates do). This story is about fitting in, and not fitting in, in every way you might imagine. It is extremely well done, very realistic, at times uncomfortable and at others laugh-out-loud funny, well written and well drawn. Often the Newbery Committee gets it right with the best book of the year, and this is one year where they absolutely nailed it! Treat yourself to this quick read (although you'll want to read it more than once, I'll bet)...5 paws!