New Kid

What is Jordan’s conflict with his parents? How do his mother’s and father’s parenting styles, and their views of Jordan’s education, differ? Who do you feel has Jordan’s best interest in mind?

Describe how Jordan changes his attire and behavior to fit in both Washington Heights and Riverdale. What does this say about how society expects African Americans to act in different settings?

Analyze Jordan’s friendship with Liam. Why does Liam become friends with Jordan, and what aspects of Jordan’s life does Liam envy?

Compare Jordan and Drew. How does Drew’s perception of the school differ from Jordan? Why does Drew feel the need to talk back to Andy and Ms. Rawle even though he isn’t a bad kid?

How does Jordan use his sketchbook to understand the world around him? Choose two sketches and explain what aspects of Jordan’s personality they reveal.

Examine how race influences the characters’ treatment at Riverdale Day Academy School. What issues do Jordan, Drew, and Maury face at the school, and how do they respond to them?

Choose two teachers from the book and explain how they improve or harm Jordan’s learning experience. How can educators learn to overcome their internal biases?

Why does Jordan initially avoid taking an art class at RAD? How does Ms. Slate’s view of art differ from his, and in what ways does she challenge Drew’s assumptions about the subject?