This book was so much fun! I hope it’s ok to say that. Much of it is told through a sketch book journal. Main character and budding cartoonist, Jordan faces the usual challenges of being the new kid in an exclusive middle school; but race and classism top the list. Students, teachers, parents , and even the librarian make assumptions based on racial stereotypes that offend the students of color who are in a noticeable minority. It’s quite a gentle book but it does a great job showing what insensitive remarks and assumptions can feel like. Also illustrated is what it’s like to not being seen as an individual because of race. The kids come through and find their voices; speaking up to bullies and even teachers and adults. I hope we can all take a lesson from them.
SP 8/12/20
SP 8/12/20