- Thursday, June 23, 2022
Dinner Table Talks create the opportunity for families to have important conversations centered around books. These discussions will build our capacity for talking about race and define our roles in fighting against both every day and systemic racism.
New Kid by Jerry Craft
available as an ebook through Hoopla and Overdrive
available as an eaudiobook through Hoopla and Overdrive
place a request on print copies
New Kid by Jerry Craft is an honest portrayal of the struggles of being in middle school, being the new kid and being one of only a few black kids in a school of predominantly privileged white kids. This graphic novel takes you on an illustrated journey of twelve-year old Jordan Bank’s seventh grade year, from the first day to the last, of being the new kid.
Recommended by Taelor Johnson | Children's Room Associate
Read the entire #OwnVoices review here.
Guidelines for Discussion
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Be open and honest--even when it's hard.
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Understand your own prejudice and bias.
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Embrace other cultures or races by reading books, watching movies and going to community events.
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Celebrate yourself and your own cultural identity.
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Don't shy away from conversations about race. Talking is how you build capacity for anti-racism.
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Acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them.
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It's okay not to know the answer. Look for it together.
Adapted from the Embrace Race and MomsRisings' 10 Tips for Teaching and Talking to Kids About Race and Richland Library's Let's Talk Race team
Questions for Conversation
- What was your favorite part of the book and why?
- Have you ever been the new kid? How did you feel? How were you treated by others?
- Do you think being the new kid is harder or easier if you don't look like most of the other students? Do you think Jordan must code switch to fit in at RAD?
Code Switching*--"When we walk into an unfamiliar social or cultural situation, our radar goes on high alert. Our minds must not just gather knowledge, but figure out “the code”—the relationships and communication norms of the people around us."
--"Countering the Narrative" written by Jason D. DeHart
*Code Switching most often refers to switching between two languages.
- In Chapter Four, Jordan shares some “Tips for Taking the Bus.” Through his drawing, he shows us ways he changes to fit in at various neighborhoods:
- Are there places where you feel you need to look a certain way to fit in? Why? At the end of his bus ride, Jordan says "Man! By the time I get to school, I'm exhausted!!!" Why do you think he's so tired from his ride to school?
- In Chapter Seven, Jordan and his grandfather go out to eat and Jordan shares that he often spends his time with Drew or Liam but usually not at the same time. What do you think about his grandfather’s General Tso’s chicken and pepper steak metaphor? Are there friends in your life that you see separately from one another? Why?
- In Chapter Eight, Jordan’s class goes to the school book fair. This part of the story explores how people can sometimes make assumptions about others or stereotype:
- Has there ever been a time when you’ve felt someone judged you or someone you know because of how you look? How did that make you feel? Have you ever judged someone based on how they looked? How do you think that person felt?
- Ms. Rawle often had difficulty calling Drew by the correct name and refused to listen to Jordan’s opinion about his school and struggle to fit in. Why was Ms. Rawle’s behavior so offensive and damaging? If you witnessed someone behaving the way Ms. Rawle did throughout the book, what would you do?
- Would you recommend this book to a friend? Do you think adults should read this book? If so, why?
Want to continue the conversation? Need more resources about race?
Check out our Understanding Race, Equity and Inclusion resource for more books, podcasts, events and information.
These questions were created by our Tween Reading & Writing Club and Let's Talk Race team:
Jess Bingham | Youth Collections Librarian | Tween Reading & Writing Club
Amanda Chapman | Collection Development Librarian | Tween Reading & Writing Club
Jocelyn Pettigrew | Children's Librarian | Let's Talk Race Team
Heather McCue | Children's Librarian | Let's Talk Race Team