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Quick answer: If you or your child loved New Kid, read Jerry Craft's Class Act, then American Born Chinese, Smile, El Deafo and Real Friends. All are graphic novels about fitting in, school and finding your voice.
Jerry Craft's Newbery Medal winner follows Jordan Banks, a Black seventh grader who starts at a mostly white private school and navigates microaggressions, friendships and his love of drawing. The books below feature relatable kids, school life and honest humour in comic form, with the same warmth. Most suit ages 8 to 13.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Act | Jerry Craft | 8-12 | the companion |
| American Born Chinese | Gene Luen Yang | 12+ | identity and folklore |
| March: Book One | John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell | 12+ | history and activism |
| Roller Girl | Victoria Jamieson | 8-12 | friendship changes |
| El Deafo | Cece Bell | 8-12 | memoir and humour |
| Real Friends | Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham | 8-12 | friendship drama |
| Smile | Raina Telgemeier | 8-12 | middle school life |
| Pashmina | Nidhi Chanani | 10-14 | cultural identity |
| Sunny Side Up | Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm | 9-13 | family stories |
| Hey, Kiddo | Jarrett J. Krosoczka | 12+ | family challenges |
| Ghost | Jason Reynolds | 10-13 | sports and healing |
| Brown Girl Dreaming | Jacqueline Woodson | 10+ | poetry and memoir |
| Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You | Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi | 12+ | history for teens |
| Other Words for Home | Jasmine Warga | 9-13 | immigrant stories |
| Amina's Voice | Hena Khan | 8-12 | cultural belonging |
1. Class Act by Jerry Craft
The companion to New Kid follows Drew as he deals with money, friendship and class at the same school. Smart and funny, with the same big heart.
Best for: the companion.
2. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Three stories intertwine, including a boy who wants to fit in and the Monkey King. A National Book Award finalist that handles identity with humour.
Best for: identity and folklore.
3. March: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell
The first part of Congressman John Lewis's memoir of the civil rights movement. Powerful, moving and educational.
Best for: history and activism.
4. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Astrid falls in love with roller derby and drifts from her best friend. A funny and relatable story about growing up.
Best for: friendship changes.
5. El Deafo by Cece Bell
A young girl with hearing loss imagines herself a superhero. A Newbery Honor memoir with great humour.
Best for: memoir and humour.
6. Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
Shannon's real-life story of friendship groups in elementary school. Honest and gentle.
Best for: friendship drama.
7. Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Raina knocks out her front teeth and deals with braces and middle school. A beloved, funny memoir.
Best for: middle school life.
8. Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani
A teenager discovers a magical shawl that shows her India. A story about identity and family.
Best for: cultural identity.
9. Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Sunny spends a summer at her grandfather's retirement community in Florida in 1976. Gentle and moving, with a hidden family issue.
Best for: family stories.
10. Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
A graphic memoir of growing up with a mother who has an addiction. Honest and hopeful.
Best for: family challenges.
11. Ghost by Jason Reynolds
A boy who runs from trouble joins a track team. Fast and thoughtful, from the Track series.
Best for: sports and healing.
12. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
A memoir in verse about growing up in the 1960s and 1970s. A National Book Award winner.
Best for: poetry and memoir.
13. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
A remix of a book on the history of racist ideas. Written for young readers in a conversational voice.
Best for: history for teens.
14. Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
A Syrian girl moves to the United States and adapts to a new school. A moving novel in verse.
Best for: immigrant stories.
15. Amina's Voice by Hena Khan
A Pakistani American girl deals with friendship and community. Warm and thoughtful.
Best for: cultural belonging.
How to Choose
For more of Jordan's world, start with Class Act. For funny middle school memoirs in comic form, pick Smile, El Deafo or Real Friends. For identity and history, read American Born Chinese, March or Stamped. For verse novels and cultural stories, try Brown Girl Dreaming, Other Words for Home or Amina's Voice. Check ages, as March and Hey, Kiddo suit older readers. These graphic novels are also good bridges for reluctant readers, because the pictures carry much of the emotion. Parents and teachers can read them aloud alongside a child to start conversations about friendship, fairness and belonging.
Related: What Is the Difference Between YA and New Adult? · What Age Is Brave New World Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Kid about?
Jordan Banks starts seventh grade at a prestigious private school and faces new challenges while drawing his life in a sketchbook.
Did New Kid win an award?
Yes, it won the Newbery Medal in 2020, the first graphic novel to do so.
What age is New Kid for?
About 8 to 12, although many older readers enjoy it.
Is there a sequel?
Yes, Class Act is the companion and School Trip follows.
Why are graphic novels good for reluctant readers?
The pictures help with context and make longer stories feel less intimidating.
Who is Jerry Craft?
He is an American cartoonist and author who has won the Newbery Medal, the Coretta Scott King Author Award and Kirkus Prize for New Kid.
Is New Kid about racism?
It touches on microaggressions and class, but also school humour, family and friendship.
Is it used in schools?
Yes, many teachers use it to start discussions about belonging and inclusion.