High School

What are five connections from the story "New Kid" by Jerry Craft?

Answer :

Five connections from the story 'New Kid' that relate to different aspects of real life and literature are race, bullying, friendship, support and art.

The story 'New Kid' by Jerry Craft is a graphic novel that follows Jordan Banks, a 12-year-old African American boy who experiences multiple challenges as he transitions to a new, prestigious private school.

  1. Race and Identity: One of the main themes in 'New Kid' is Jordan grappling with his identity as an African American in a predominantly white school. This can be connected to experiences described in other works like 'The Hate U Give' by Angie Thomas, where the protagonist also deals with racial identity and systemic racism.

  2. Bullying and Inclusion: Jordan experiences bullying and exclusion at his new school. This can be linked to the story 'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio, where Auggie faces similar challenges of trying to fit in and being accepted despite his differences.

  3. Friendship and Social Dynamics: Throughout the book, Jordan navigates the complexities of forming new friendships. This can be connected to 'Smile' by Raina Telgemeier where the main character Raina deals with friendship issues and the pressures of fitting in.

  4. Family Expectations and Support: Jordan’s parents have high expectations for his education, which adds pressure. This can be connected to 'Front Desk' by Kelly Yang, where the protagonist Mia deals with her parents' expectations while navigating her new school environment.

  5. Art as a Means of Expression: Jordan uses his sketchbook to express his feelings and experiences. This is similar to 'El Deafo' by Cece Bell, where the main character uses art and imagination to cope with her hearing loss and communicate her world to others.