Title: New Kid
Bibliography
Craft, J. (2019). New Kid. HarperCollins.
ISBN: 978-0062691194
Plot Summary
Jordan Banks, an African-American seventh grader who lives in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, is enrolled in a prestigious private school. On the first day of school, Jordan realizes he’s part of a handful of scholarship students and students of color. The majority of Jordan's new classmates are wealthy and white. Throughout the year, Jordan tries to fit in without losing himself.
Critical Analysis
New Kid is a story that presents a somewhat common issue in schools. It shows how racism can be demonstrated in a subtle, yet impactful way. At times, it may be done with no bad intention but can still affect the student, or students. In this story, Jordan sees how all this is done on a daily basis at his new school, and how sometimes teachers do it without realizing it. He tries to adjust to his new school life while balancing it with his home life. He knows there are differences between himself and the other students but still is able to get through the year and finds some resolution at the end of the story.
The characters in this story feel so real and make the story really work. They help it flow from beginning to end in a realistic way. From Jordan to Andy, they all present realistic family situations which allow the reader to connect with this story.
Review Excerpt(s)
“Possibly one of the most important graphic novels of the year.” — Booklist (starred review)
“An engrossing, humorous, and vitally important graphic novel that should be required reading in every middle school in America.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“This is more than a story about being the new kid—it’s a complex examination of the micro- and macroaggressions that Jordan endures from classmates and teachers. Highly recommended for all middle grade shelves.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
Connections
Students can identify the different elements of plot from within the novel.
Students can analyze 3 different characters from the story.
This story can be used as a resource when talking about racism.
Title: The Arrival
Bibliography
Tan, S. (2007). The Arrival. Arthur A. Levine Books.
ISBN: 978-0439895293
Plot Summary
The Arrival is a silent graphic novel about an immigrant trying to find a better life for his family and himself. He travels to a foreign land and encounters unfamiliar food, language, buildings, and much more. While trying to adjust, the man meets other immigrants who tell their own stories of hardship and escape. The story ends with his family reunited in this magnificent and dazzling city.
Critical Analysis
I had never read a silent novel before and I absolutely loved it! The way Tan was able to capture my imagination and interest in this form of literature was just breathtaking. The illustrations are absolutely stunning. They clearly portray what the character is experiencing. The pictures flow so well that it feels like you are watching a silent movie. Tan created a graphic novel that speaks to the immigrant experience, without a single word. The story is told by images which are absolutely incredible.
Review Excerpt(s)
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Recipient of numerous awards and nominations in Australia, The Arrival proves a beautiful, compelling piece of art, in both content and form. Tan (The Lost Thing, 2004) has previously produced a small body of off-kilter, frequently haunting stories of children trapped in surreal industrial landscapes. Here, he has distilled his themes and aesthetic into a silent, fantastical masterpiece. A lone immigrant leaves his family and journeys to a new world, both bizarre and awesome, finding struggle and dehumanizing industry but also friendship and a new life. Tan infuses this simple, universal narrative with vibrant, resonating life through confident mastery of sequential art forms and conventions. Strong visual metaphors convey personal longing, political suppression, and totalitarian control; imaginative use of panel size and shape powerfully depicts sensations and ideas as diverse as interminable waiting, awe-inspiring majesty, and forlorn memories; delicate alterations in light and color saturate the pages with a sense of time and place. Soft brushstrokes and grand Art Decostyle architecture evoke a time long ago, but the story's immediacy and fantasy elements will appeal even to readers younger than the target audience, though they may miss many of the complexities. Filled with subtlety and grandeur, the book is a unique work that not only fulfills but also expands the potential of its form. Karp, Jesse
Connections
This graphic novel provides a great opportunity for a class discussion about what each student is understanding.
Immigration is the main topic in this graphic novel, therefore this would be a great resource when teaching about this topic.
Title: Lunch Lady and the League of LibrariansBibliography
Krosoczka, J. (2009). Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians: Lunch Lady #2. Random House Children's Books.
ISBN: 978-0375846847
Plot Summary
Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians is a graphic novel in which lunch ladies battle against the librarians. Mrs. Page, the librarian, and her league are planning on stealing funds and destroying all the video games that are about to be released. Dee, Terrance and Hector, the “Breakfast Bunch”, alert the lunch ladies and team up with them to stop the librarians. The lunch ladies use weapons such as Taco vision night Goggles and Sonic-Boom Juice Boxes while the librarians use villains from books to battle each other. With the help of the Breakfast Bunch, the lunch ladies prove they are not ordinary food servers and save the day!
Critical Analysis
In this graphic novel, Krosoczka is able to take the reader into a journey with not so typical heroes. The “Lunch Ladies” have normal everyday jobs, but behind the scenes they work to fight crime. In this case, the lunch ladies use their gadgets disguised as regular tools to fight the librarians, and the librarians do the same. The “Breakfast Bunch” is a group of regular kids that are also secret superheroes. Throughout the story, the heroes fight for what is right and overcome the evil plan of the librarians. A good over evil theme is presented in this story.
The illustrations, also by Krosoczka, are mainly black, gray, and white, with a splash of yellow. This color is used to draw attention to key elements in the drawings. This is an interesting component. The illustrations are fairly simple but they add action, energy, and interest to the story.
Review Excerpt(s)
GoodReads Starred Review: “Action! Silliness! Pictures galore! It's no wonder that comic books and graphic novels are a big hit with kids. We've loved how authors artists are creating fun graphic stories for younger readers.” – Maryann 2009
"With its appealing mix of action and humor, this clever, entertaining addition to the series should have wide appeal." School Library Journal (September 1, 2009)
Connections
Have students compare two of the characters in the story.
This book can be used when teaching about theme.
Title: Frizzy
Bibliography
Ortega, C. A. (2022). Frizzy. First Second.
ISBN: 978-1250259639
Plot Summary
Frizzy is a story about Marlene who loves books, her Tía Ruby, and her best friend Camila. She does not understand why she has to visit the salon all the time to straighten her hair in order for her to have “better hair”. Her mother, Paola, thinks that she is doing good by forcing her to do this in order to keep her daughter from getting bullied. With the help of her Tia Ruby, Marlene is able to learn how to care for her hair and embrace it!
Critical Analysis
I truly enjoyed this book. In Frizzy, Marlene gets bullied for her curls, which hurts her emotionally when other students make fun of her and throw objects in her hair. When readers see Marlene's point of view. I think they may learn a valuable lesson and might become more sensitive to the hurt they may cause others when doing something like this. In an effort to stop Marlene from being bullied, her mother makes her go to the beauty salon every Sunday. Marlene hates this and prefers just wearing her curly hair. Marlene eventually learns to appreciate and proudly wear it with the help of her Tia Ruby and best friend Camila. I think many young readers, and even adults, can probably relate to this story. It offers a powerful message about self acceptance and love.
The illustrations are adorable and offer a unique touch to the story. The shades of pinks, purples, and browns used throughout the book, along with the facial expressions on the characters, portray the plot of the story in a particular way.
Review Excerpt(s)
"Marlene’s journey of personal growth will evoke catharsis and joy. An exquisite excavation of hair politics, family dynamics, and self-love."―Kirkus, starred review
"Ortega’s narrative shows the complex arc of Marlene’s emotional growth―from exuberance to sadness, self-reflection to empowerment―captured with aplomb in Bousamra’s expressive illustrations." ―Horn Book, starred review
"Bousamra skillfully renders expressive and visually distinct characters, employing bright and cheerful coloring in pastel hues to sweetly capture touching moments. Ortega expertly examines themes of colorism, generational trauma, and toxic beauty standards via authentic, heartstring-tugging dialogue and Marlene’s pitch-perfect narration, culminating in a satisfying and heartwarming exploration of self-expression and self-love." ―Publishers Weekly, starred review
Connections
Have students draw a portrait of themselves and name three things they like. They may also write about these things.
This book can be used when talking about bullying.
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