School Trip

School Trip is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Jerry Craft and published in 2023. It is the third installment in Craft’s beloved graphic novel series, following the success of New Kid and Class Act. Like its predecessors, School Trip is geared toward young adults.

In School Trip, Jordan and his friends from Riverdale Academy Day School embark on a school trip to Paris. The journey becomes a pivotal moment for the group, especially for Ramon, who confronts his long-time bully, Andy, sparking a series of events that teach the students valuable lessons about racism, bullying, friendship, and pursuing dreams.

New Kid, the prequel to School Trip, received widespread acclaim, winning prestigious awards such as the Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Award, and Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature. It was the first graphic novel to receive the Newbery Medal. Craft stands out as one of the few syndicated Black American cartoonists in the US.

This study guide uses the Quill Tree Books e-book edition of School Trip published in 2023.

Plot Summary

The graphic novel opens with the main character and narrator Jordan Banks contemplating whether to attend art school or remain at Riverdale Academy Day School (RAD) the following school year. He wants to be a comic artist but knows he will miss his friends if he leaves them behind after middle school. The following day, Jordan and his best friends, Drew Ellis and Liam Landers, receive exciting news—they have been selected to go on a school trip to Paris, along with their schoolmates Ramon, Maury, Alexandra, Ashley, Samira, and Andy, the school bully. While they’re excited about the trip, they’re disappointed knowing that Andy will be part of it. Meanwhile, Ashley is saddened by the absence of her best friend, Ruby.

The night before the trip, Jordan, Drew, and Liam have a sleepover at Liam’s house, along with Maury. They know little about Maury, other than the fact that he has a wealthy, privileged background. Once they arrive in Paris, Jordan worries that Andy will torment Ramon if they’re roommates, as Andy has a history of bullying Ramon. To prevent this, Jordan volunteers to room with Andy. Meanwhile, Drew and Liam share a room, and Maury rooms with Ramon. The girls share another room. Ashley, anxiously awaiting messages from her friend Ruby, attempts to befriend Alexandra, who prefers being alone. Maury, on the other hand, bonds with Ramon and treats him to room service. As they explore Paris, the group is awed by its beauty. They notice its differences compared to New York, from the architecture to the cuisine and the laid-back atmosphere. Soon, they discover that the teachers’ credit cards don’t work internationally. Fortunately, Maury steps up and covers all expenses using his credit card. Maury knows Paris well, so he takes charge and guides the group throughout the trip. As the days pass, Maury bonds not only with Ramon but also with Drew and Jordan, realizing they have a lot of things in common. Alexandra gradually opens up and embraces Ashley’s friendship. Meanwhile, Andy continues to mock others, but his behavior backfires when the group confronts him, leaving him feeling isolated. Andy also resists embracing the differences in Paris, from the cuisine to the culture.

One night, the group sits together in the hotel garden when Ramon bravely confronts Andy about his bullying. He explains how Andy’s bullying has affected him, leaving him traumatized, and highlights the racism behind it. Andy, upset, walks away from the group. The following day, Drew talks to Andy, confronting him about his actions. Andy denies being racist and argues that Black people have more advantages than white people. Drew, however, explains the prejudice Black people face and asks Andy to empathize and understand others’ experiences. On the final day of the trip, everyone reflects on what they’ve learned. Drew shares that he’s learned to appreciate slowing down, Ashley has made new friends, and Jordan reaffirms his passion for art. Lastly, Andy apologizes to Ramon for his past behavior, acknowledging the pain he caused.

Back home, Andy starts to change and makes genuine efforts to reconcile with Ramon. Meanwhile, people at school are surprised by the unexpected friendship between Maury and Ramon. Jordan finds out that his parents won’t let him go to art school because they doubt he will ever be successful as a Black comic artist. Jordan feels frustrated and excluded from this decision. However, he is happy to remain with his friends at RAD. The graphic novel ends with Jordan reflecting on the positive transformations that have taken place during their time in Paris. The group is now a close-knit unit, committed to making RAD a better place. Each member has undergone personal growth, emerging as new and improved versions of themselves.