Two possible topics to write about (pick one):
1. Who do you think might benefit from reading New Kid and why?
2. Write a paragraph about something from New Kid that connects with what we have done/talked about in this class so far.
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New Kid would benefit any students, especially those dealing with issues of identity, race, and fitting in. It’s also helpful for students navigating new social environments, like transferring schools because it explores themes of belonging and dealing with stereotypes. New Kid connects with our discussions about identity and stereotypes. Jordan’s experiences at his new school highlight how race and background can affect how people perceive and treat others, which ties into our class discussions on how social identity shapes interactions. For instance, his classmates often make assumptions about him because he is one of the few Black students at the school, and he is forced to navigate a world where his identity feels both invisible and overly scrutinized. This connects to our discussion about how society often labels individuals based on their appearance or background, sometimes causing them to feel out of place or stereotyped.
ReplyDeleteI believe any student can benefit from reading New Kid since the book elaborates on the many issues students face in schools such as race, identity, and adjusting to a new school. The book illustrates these issues through the main character Jordan who enrolls into a private school. The social norms throughout the book showcase the many issues people of color face such as stereotyping. The main character encounters a change of culture since he is attending a private school compared to a public school. The different cultures present in a private school and public school are completely different. Overall, the book illustrates how there can be a culture shock in education, class setting, and classmates in a private and public school.
ReplyDeleteI think any student transitioning from a school where their identity is the majority to a school in the minority can benefit from this book. New Kid illustrates and explains the feelings of being the new kid in a school where the representation that is needed for them is not a priority to the school. It can be off-putting or strange to make connections with other students and teachers because of the expectations that are already in place at these schools. For most parents of color, they want to give their children the same education opportunities or better ones. So that would mean going to a school where it lacks the diversity that is needed. The new kids might have stereotypes placed on them by teachers and students because they don't expect them to do well in school.
ReplyDeleteAliyah Ibrahim: Because it tackles issues of race and fitting in, New Kid is a fantastic book for middle and high school students, particularly those attending diverse schools. The book can also help parents and teachers better understand the identity and belonging issues that young people confront. Anyone interested in diversity, inclusiveness, or graphic novels as a means of examining intricate societal issues will also find it to be a worthwhile read.
ReplyDeleteNew Kid by Jerry Craft provides middle and high school students with relatable insights into navigating new environments and dealing with identity challenges, particularly for students of color in predominantly white schools. The book offers young readers validation and understanding while helping educators and parents gain perspective on the social pressures students face. This story opens doors to discussions about empathy, diversity, and inclusion.
ReplyDeleteNew Kid is meant for readers that might not fit in whether they are part of a minority or low-class. I think the person that would benefit the most from reading this book would be someone going through similar things as Jordan. It can show kids that even though you have to go to a new school that they might not really want to go to, to give it a chance and they might actually like it in the end. There are always going to be bad things that happen but they have to make good things happen too. I think this book can give kids hope if they do not fit in with other kids in their school. I think this book will also help them to make friends. There will be people that want to become friends with them they just have to reach out first to try and make them their friend.
ReplyDeleteI think that in relation to New Kid and what we have talked about in class, I think about our discussions about identity. Within New Kid you can see the main character Jordan, struggling to fit in with the other students, you see him starting to feel awkward around the kids in his neighborhood. I think that Jordan was struggling a lot with his identity going into a different environment and that was a really prevalent theme within the first half of the graphic novel.
ReplyDelete1. Who do you think might benefit from reading New Kid and why?
ReplyDeleteI think that students struggling to find their place in life (like Jordan and a new private school in this instance) can benefit from reading New Kid. He is one of very few black students at a new school when in reality he wanted to attend an art school. He overcomes hardships like bullying and racism from his peers and teachers. Eventually, he ends up finding his way, finding true friends and happiness in the end. He really enjoyed art and made the cover of the yearbook. He gained the respect of these people at this new place by standing up for himself and that shows agency. It can also benefit them by making them feel heard and not alone.
New Kid could relate to a wide range of people, particularly students navigating new social environments, diversity difficulties, and feelings of being an outsider. For students starting a new school or going through transitions in an unfamiliar setting, New Kid depicts both the awkwardness and growth that accompany these changes. New Kid also delves at issues of race, identity, and belonging. Children from underrepresented backgrounds may feel validated and understood after witnessing Jordan's experiences with microaggressions and the difficulties of managing multiple cultural identities.
ReplyDeleteAshley Morris:
ReplyDelete1. I think that both students (especially elementary and middle school aged kids) and teachers could benefit from reading new kid. Young kids could benefit because the book depicts a kid who is entering a new school and navigating struggles such as feeling different and trying to fit in. Both teachers and students could benefit from the themes involving microagressions and racial prejudice/stereotypes.
2. Racism and discrimination in schooling is a theme from this class that appears in the novel. There’s a specific instance of a teacher who mixes up the names of her black students even after being corrected multiple times. When she takes and reads the protagonists journal and reads his frustrations about this, she dismisses them instead of listening to him.
I think anyone who has been in school would benefit from reading New Kid. As a graphic novel, it is an easy and fun read. It shows Jordan's experiences from his own perspective. Jerry Craft is able to illustrate the internal feelings of Jordan really well. For example, at times when Jordan feels alone, he is pictures as very small and everything around him is very big. It's a really clear depiction which makes it easy to relate to. If the small feelings were just written in prose, it would take more mental energy for the reader to visualize those internal feelings. I think it's easy for anyone to relate to at least one thing in the book New Kid, so it's a great read for anyone.
ReplyDeleteI think reading Class Act would benefit anyone who reads it. For black students who read it, they can relate to it and find it funny. For white students who read it, they can learn a couple things and fix behaviors if they find they do some of the same things. It addresses topics like ignorance, colorism, microaggressions, and overall explores interactions between different social classes.
ReplyDeleteNew Kid’s approach to discussing class differences connects to what we have discussed thoroughly in this class. I do not recall any examples of higher class school settings that we have looked at, whether it be a movie or reading. For the majority, we have focused on examples of schools that are more low-income whether they live in an area of lower economic status or less funding goes into the school. In New Kid, it is apparent that the school is quite rich and well-off; able to give a lot of great opportunities for its students although not all may be able to afford it. As audience members, we can compare what we have seen to what New Kid presents as it highlights the struggles students of lower economic status face in an environment that “requires” more from them financially. The book has not exactly gone into detail about the academic successes or failures of its students but we already see the social impact the environment has, also considering the factor of racial difference. I think New Kid is a good resource for approaching the topic of differences in economical status in a lighter sense as it dives into the lives of middle school students.
ReplyDeleteReading Class Act would benefit the reader by exposing them to uncomfortable topics. In Class Act dives into socio-economics, racism, privilege, and many more. One aspect of the book that is included is the blind ignorance of some people. Throughout the book, Mr. Roche, the teacher, treads along the line of going too far with his comments. The book did a great job showing how some people are ignorant, uneducated, and blinded by reality.
ReplyDeleteI feel like many people can benefit from reading New Kid. Students who may relate to Jordan and some of the themes that were in the book. And I think teachers and parents could benefit from reading it too, I think it would give them a different perspective on how students think and feel when in those predicaments and environments. Overall, the book promotes understanding and empathy, which could make it an important read for anybody with an interest in diversity and inclusion.
ReplyDeleteWho do you think might benefit from reading New Kid and why? I think the people that would benefit the most from this graphic novel are people that experienced being a new kid at some point in their life. Me personally, I have been a new kid five times throughout my life and it's not the best feeling when you feel how Jordan feels. This graphic novel is a great resource to people that experienced any type of adversity, or made one feel anxious. I also think parents should sit down and read this book as well. They can get a little inside look to see what a child feels when they first arrive in a new situation. It'll be a great way to try to relate and sympathize with their kids, trying to understand their perspective as well. Sometimes we don't want to open up to anyone because we are afraid of what our parents would say, or we don't think out parents would understand our problems. This is a great outlet. - Joey Blount
ReplyDelete1. Who do you think might benefit from reading New Kid and why?
ReplyDeleteI think many different people can benefit from New Kid--students, teachers, parents--because of the differing perspectives the book offers. Other new students who may feel out of place can find comfort that they aren't alone. Teachers can see how they're words and actions, subtle or not, greatly impact students. Parents can see challenges kids go through when going to a new school.
“New Kid” by Jerry Craft is an important story that resonates with anyone who has ever felt out of place, especially in a new setting. The book follows Jordan, a Black student who begins attending a predominantly white school. It explores his awkwardness and challenges as he tries to fit in and navigate social situations.
ReplyDeleteThis book is particularly significant for students who have experienced being the “new kid” or who struggle to adjust to environments that do not feel like home. Readers will find comfort in Jordan’s experiences and realize they are not alone in their struggles.n
The New Kid is a beautifully written book encouraging empathy and understanding among people from diverse backgrounds. It helps readers appreciate and embrace the differences within their communities.
I think we can all benefit from reading it because it gives a new perspective. It gives the reader something to think about and to add to their knowledge of how certain groups of people are treated. Its a lot fun to read graphic novels Since they are not as common as regular chapter books. It was also interesting to see how how Jordan's middle school experience was vs my own.
ReplyDeleteEven if you're someone who doesn't enjoy reading like myself, I do believe that New Kid is a worthwhile and rewarding read. On top of this New Kid being a graphic novel allows for the reading experience to be easygoing and engaging with the addition of illustrations. On top of the creative design choices, the themes of New Kid are hard-hitting. Jerry Craft illustrates Jordan's inner feelings, such as when Jordan feels small and overwhelmed in an oversized world, by reducing the size of Jordan, visualizing him as tiny against the real, oversized world. This choice and many like it allow New Kid to connect with its readers on a much deeper level.
ReplyDelete1. Who do you think might benefit from reading New Kid and why?
ReplyDeleteNew Kid by Jerry Craft can benefit students navigating new environments or anyone who has felt like they don’t belong. The story of Jordan Banks, a Black middle schooler who transfers to a predominantly white private school, resonates with themes of identity, microaggressions, and fitting in. This book helps readers understand the struggles of adapting to different cultures while maintaining one’s individuality. It’s especially insightful for teachers and classmates who may not realize how their actions or words impact others, encouraging empathy and inclusion.
2. A connection between New Kid and our class:
New Kid connects with our class discussions about diversity and understanding different perspectives. In class, we explored how people’s identities shape their experiences, which mirrors Jordan’s challenges at his new school. His story highlights how systemic bias and microaggressions can affect one’s sense of belonging, similar to themes we’ve studied about privilege and representation. The book reinforces the importance of recognizing and respecting others’ lived experiences, which aligns with the lessons we’ve emphasized. (Francis Eshun-Baidoo)
New Kid resonates with a broad audience, especially students who are adjusting to new social environments, facing challenges related to diversity, or experiencing the struggles of feeling like an outsider. For those starting at a new school or navigating transitions in unfamiliar settings, the book captures both the awkwardness and personal growth that come with these changes. It also explores deeper issues like race, identity, and belonging. Children from underrepresented backgrounds may find validation and a sense of understanding in Jordan's experiences with microaggressions and the challenges of balancing multiple cultural identities.
ReplyDelete