This graphic novel is one of two in this series. It illustrates Jordans life being one of the only middle school student of color. It goes through his struggles and the highs and lows of friendship. I would recommend this book to 3rd grade and up as a partner read book. I can see this book building students reading skills and this book teaching students about the art of graphic novels.

Independent Reading Level: Ages 8-12
Awards: Nebraska Golden Sower Award (Nominee — 2021)
Texas Bluebonnet Award (Nominee — 2021)
Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Award (Nominee — 2022)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Winner — Middle Grade — 2021)
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2020)
Kirkus Prize (Winner — Young Readers' Literature — 2019)
Audie Award (Finalist — Middle Grade — 2020)
Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2021)
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (Nominee — 2021)
Great Stone Face Book Award (Nominee — 2020)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Winner — Grades 6-8 — 2021)
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2022)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Junior — 2022)
Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2020)
South Dakota Children's Book Awards (Almost Made It! — 2022)
Newbery Medal (Medal Winner — 2020)
Nutmeg Book Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2021)
Nutmeg Book Award (Winner — Middle School — 2021)
Great Lakes Great Books Award (Winner — 2021)
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (Nominee — 2021)
Mark Twain Readers Award (Nominee — 2022)
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2021)
Nēnē Award (Winner — Graphic Novel — 2021)
Garden State Teen Book Award (Winner — 2021)
Blue Hen Book Award (Nominee — 2021)
Coretta Scott King Award (Winner — 2020)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — 2022)
Iowa Children's Choice Award (Nominee — 2021)
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Winner — 2022)
North Carolina Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2022)
NCSLMA Battle of the Books (Middle School — 2024)
NCSLMA Battle of the Books (Middle School — 2021)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Middle School — 2021)
Golden Archer Award (Nominee — 2021)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Middle School — 2021)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2021)
Maud Hart Lovelace Award (Nominee — 2021)
YouPer Award (Top Ten — 2020)
Three Stars Book Award (Nominee — Middle School — 2020)
Lynd Ward Prize for Graphic Novel of the Year (Honor Book — 2020)
CYBILS Awards (Winner — 2019)
Rhode Island Middle School Book Award (Nominee — 2021)
CSMCL Best Multicultural Book (2019)
Maine Student Book Award (Reading List — 2021)
Maine Student Book Award (Winner — 2021)
M. Jerry Weiss Book Award (Graphic Novel — 2023)
Charlotte Huck Award (Honor — 2020)
New England Book Award (Finalist — 2019)

I think this book is more for intermediate level and middle school students. The book is about a kid in New York going to a new private school. in this book he faces what it is like to be the new kid, face a lack of diversity in his school, racism from the children at school, and trying to make new friends while maintaining the friends he already had.

This book is about a young boy named Jordan who is a black student. His parents move him to a new middle school. Jordan faces many different situations like racial issues, new kid issues, and new school issues. Jordan never gives up and decides to keep working hard while he finally finds his place in the middle school. I think this book would be great for middle schools. It can relate to kids, shares many different struggles that most middle schoolers go through.

Graphic novel about a kid named Jordan Banks growing up in the Washington Heights district in New York City. He goes to a new school that is a private school full of white students and little to no diversity. Jordan finds himself between two worlds, and ends up getting bullied. He does find new friends and makes the best of his situation.

I really liked this graphic novel! I think graphic novels are a really cool way to get students involved in reading. The message of this book was great and dove into harder topics well. I would use this book for 4th grade and up.