New Kid by Jerry Craft

Reviewed by Sophie 

Imagine not being able to go to the art school of your dreams! Jordan Banks, an aspiring art student, isn't able to go to art school, but instead is sent to a prestigious private school known for its academics. Will it be better for him? Is it the right decision?  

At Jordan’s new school, he navigates through all the new people, new teachers, new buildings and others. In New Kid by Jerry Craft, Jordan, who is African-American, is one of the few students of color at his new school. From teachers mixing his name up with previous students, to hearing bullies make insensitive jokes about other mixed kids in the hallway, middle school is tough for Jordan. He slowly starts finding his way through the Riverdale Academy Day School. 

One of the reasons I liked this book is because of how creative Jordan is portrayed to be. Jerry Craft creates Jordan as a middle school boy who loves to draw and is very creative. One of these examples is when Jordan draws a humorous guide to shaking peoples hands. Also, he draws a back to school drawing with rulers, calculators, and textbooks attacking children.

This book is very relatable. For example, when Jordan is first trying out for the sports team he was nervous and overwhelmed. This is similar to how we feel when we are trying out something new, such as sports teams, movies, plays, and more!
I would rate this book a 9/10. This book is very enthralling and will definitely make you laugh. This book is for those who love any kind of art. There are many art pieces in this wonderful book. I hope you go check out New Kid by Jerry Craft! 

HarperCollins, 256 pages

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

Reviewed by Claire P.

Catrina is not happy to be moving to a new home, but she tries to push aside her selfishness for her sister Maya and live a normal life. Unfortunately for Cat, as soon as a neighbor tells them that ghosts reside in their small town, Maya leads her on a ghost hunt, endangering herself even more.

In Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier, the main character Catrina, or Cat, is not happy to be moving to cold, windy, Bahía de la Luna. However, she knows that the cool, salty, air is better for her younger sister, Maya. Maya has cystic fibrosis, which is an incurable, inherited illness that makes it hard for her to breathe. When a neighbor says that ghosts live in their new town, Maya pulls Cat along with her on a ghost tour with a boy named Carlos. Maya instantly becomes friends with the ghosts, but when they use her breath for a burst of fresh air, she faints and has to be sent to the hospital at once. After that, a worried Cat tries her best to keep all the ghosts away from her house until she realizes how kind, fun, and amazing the all the ghosts can be.

One of the reasons that I enjoyed this book is that the main character, Cat, cares more about her sister than having fun. For example, when she has a chance to enjoy the most festive party of the year in her new town, she worries that Maya will be in danger because of the ghosts who visit. After plenty of reassurance from her sister, she finally tries to enjoy herself, but still finds her mind wandering back to the thought if Maya will be okay.

I loved this book because it has a mysterious ending. Instead of all the questions being answered like in some stories, Ghosts leaves people wondering about certain events in the story. To me, that is better because if Telgemeier answered all the questions, then I wouldn’t be able to change it. Since she left a few unfinished details though, I can make up my own ending to the story.

I would rate this book a 9/10 and recommend it to everyone who enjoys a fictional graphic novel with a dash of humor. This book is a great book that I could not put down as soon as I started reading it!

Graphix, 256

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznik

Reviewed by Katelyn

Ben and Rose both wish their lives were different. Parentless Ben Wilson is born deaf in one ear and lives with his cousin, Robby. Ben’s mom died in a car crash and Ben’s dad is a mystery. Rose has always wondered about her mom because she left the family for another man. Both characters separately set out on an adventure to find what they are missing.

Wonderstruck is one of my favorite books because Brian Selznick formulates the story with two stories, told fifty years apart. One story is told in words, the other story is told in pictures. The way this book entwines these two unrelated stories back and forth is just inclining and captivating . How this book unfolds into one absurd, incredible, and ludicrous story ultimately surprised me and left me in complete and utter awe.

Wonderstruck also has a curious and mysterious plot. The way Selznick introduces Rose into the story is very peculiar and puzzling. The mystery in this novel wanted me to keep on reading. Wonderstruck kept me on the edge of my seat, and the anxious feeling when I read this book made me feel even more fascinated about the story.

I would rank Wonderstruck a nine out of ten because it had a magnificent plot and a grand ending, but I just thought it just needed a little more something to finish the story off. I would recommend this book for boys and girls.  Truly, if you like books that are mysterious and adventurous, this is a must read for you!

Scholastic Press, 630 pages.