School Trip: A Graphic Novel (The New Kid)

New York Times bestselling author Jerry Craft is back with the newest adventures of Jordan, Drew, Liam, and all the characters that fans first met in New Kid, winner of the Newbery Award and the Coretta Scott King Author Award! In this full-color contemporary graphic novel, the gang from Riverdale Academy Day is heading to Paris, for an international education like you've never seen before…

Jordan, Drew, Liam, Maury, and their friends from Riverdale Academy Day School are heading out on a school trip to Paris. As an aspiring artist himself, Jordan can't wait to see all the amazing art in the famous City of Lights.

But when their trusted faculty guides are replaced at the last minute, the school trip takes an unexpected-and hilarious-turn. Especially when trying to find their way around a foreign city ends up being almost as tricky as navigating the same friendships, fears, and differences that they struggle with at home.

Will Jordan and his friends embrace being exposed to a new language, unfamiliar food, and a different culture? Or will they all end up feeling like the "new kid"?

Don't miss the two hilarious and powerful companion novels by Jerry Craft, New Kid and Class Act!

Editorial Reviews

"With his signature laugh-out-loud storytelling, which teems with nuanced character dynamics, tender moments of acceptance and connection, and a multicultural cast, Craft offers a zestful graphic novel adventure that mixes lighthearted fare with thought-provoking observations on lasting friendship in the face of future-based anxieties." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Readers will love this European escapade with characters who reflect the richness and multiculturalism of modern America. Another triumph of storytelling filled with heart and wonder." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"This heartfelt, must-read title belongs on all library shelves, as it beautifully accompanies Craft's first two graphic novels with these characters." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"Coretta Scott King and Newbery–winning author Craft effectively uses brightly colored panels, speech bubbles, dialogue, and black-and-white sketchbook pages to portray the challenges of an overseas school trip for Black students as well as of this diverse group of students as a whole in navigating a new city and their own relationships." - Horn Book (starred review)

Readers Top Reviews

Joanna VarnumAsh

School Trip has easily been my most anticipated title of 2023 both personally and professionally. The first two books in this series, New Kid and Class Act, are two of the most popular books in my elementary school library as well as two of my favorite middle grade books ever. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but School Trip is the best one in the series. It hits on every level - the dialogue, the illustrations, the storytelling, the message, the humor, the emotion - it’s all there and done masterfully. I have two sons (13 and 9), and one of the only times they’ve ever thought their librarian mother was cool was the day I told them that I got to preview School Trip. They immediately started vying for my device so they could read it themselves! My 13 year old claims that “it’s better than Class Act but not as good as New Kid,” and my 9 year old says that “they’re all so good, I can’t pick a favorite” in case you were wondering what the targeted demographic for this book has to say about this one. My 13 year old also says that he wanted to jump inside the book and punch one of the characters in the face, which I think means “the writing was so compelling that it caused a deeply emotional response in the reader” in teenager-speak. The messages are so strong and will resonate with any reader, whether as a mirror, window, or a door to a different perspective. I feel like everything Jerry Craft has said during the other books is said in this one with such clarity and precision. It’s not preachy in the least, and it never sacrifices plot in order to get a message across. I know it sounds like I’m just fangirling over here, but this book is just that good. I’m ready to call this one the best graphic novel I’ve ever read. Well done, Jerry Craft! Thank you for writing these important books and not letting the thumbs downers stop you! Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the Advanced Reader’s Copy! I already have three copies preordered - two for my school and one for my home library!

Kelly BaileyJoann

A great addition to the New Kid series! I enjoyed reading all about Jordan and friends and their crazy adventures in Paris. This series is perfect for reluctant readers and my students love Jerry Craft’s books. I cannot wait to add this one to my classroom library!!

Barbara BradleyS.

My 8 yr old Granddaughter jumped right into this book...she is enjoying the story.

99Tompkins99Tompk

My kids love this series. They are children of color in a primary white space. They can totally relate the characters. Must read for everyone.