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genthebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Our middle school aged son previously read and loved New Kid and Class Act and so he was super excited to check this one out. These books are a perfect balance of being totally engaging and readable, while also speaking to so many important and relatable topics they encounter (or hear about) in their daily lives.
Craft doesn't gloss over so many tough issues, and I love that this book sparks conversation, amidst the readers peers, teachers and parents. Our kids are growing up in a world so different from our own, but I love that they don't ever have to walk alone. Books like this that take a nuanced look at racism, prejudices, microaggressions, relationships, worries and fears promote conversation and understanding, and help raise even better humans.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for my gifted review copy.
Craft doesn't gloss over so many tough issues, and I love that this book sparks conversation, amidst the readers peers, teachers and parents. Our kids are growing up in a world so different from our own, but I love that they don't ever have to walk alone. Books like this that take a nuanced look at racism, prejudices, microaggressions, relationships, worries and fears promote conversation and understanding, and help raise even better humans.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for my gifted review copy.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
3.0
This story felt disjointed and frequently implausible, and there were lots of elements that felt forced in just to make a social point. I really enjoyed the previous two graphic novels in this series, but the heavy-handed social values in this one felt tacked on with all the subtlety of an after-school special teaching kids to be NICE! to each other. Also, while the other books tackled racism in ways that were integral to each story, this book frequently brings up the topic in random asides that have nothing to do with what is happening.
The story jumps around a lot, and multiple things happen that defy plausibility. I wondered if this was supposed to be over-the-top for laughs, but the story takes itself so seriously at other times that this isn't supposed to be satirical. I couldn't suspend disbelief because so many elements of the travel story and character dynamics were unrealistic, exaggerated, and over-the-top.
I did laugh at many of the clever puns and amusing moments, and I liked how Maury took a more prominent role in this one, since I felt that he was underrated in the previous books. I really like his character and was glad that he was a major player here. I also enjoyed some of the international travel elements, but I couldn't help negatively comparing this to [b:A First Time for Everything|60316970|A First Time for Everything|Dan Santat|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1654481332l/60316970._SX50_.jpg|95090775]. It's not a fair comparison, especially since the latter is a memoir, but that book also stars a person of color, and it feels totally realistic, authentic, and meaningful all the way through.
This book is okay, but it didn't live up to my expectations based on the author's previous work. I wouldn't read it again or particularly recommend it, even though I wouldn't encourage someone not to read it. It's fine, but I hope that there will be future installments in this series that bring it back to the previous level of quality.
The story jumps around a lot, and multiple things happen that defy plausibility. I wondered if this was supposed to be over-the-top for laughs, but the story takes itself so seriously at other times that this isn't supposed to be satirical. I couldn't suspend disbelief because so many elements of the travel story and character dynamics were unrealistic, exaggerated, and over-the-top.
I did laugh at many of the clever puns and amusing moments, and I liked how Maury took a more prominent role in this one, since I felt that he was underrated in the previous books. I really like his character and was glad that he was a major player here. I also enjoyed some of the international travel elements, but I couldn't help negatively comparing this to [b:A First Time for Everything|60316970|A First Time for Everything|Dan Santat|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1654481332l/60316970._SX50_.jpg|95090775]. It's not a fair comparison, especially since the latter is a memoir, but that book also stars a person of color, and it feels totally realistic, authentic, and meaningful all the way through.
This book is okay, but it didn't live up to my expectations based on the author's previous work. I wouldn't read it again or particularly recommend it, even though I wouldn't encourage someone not to read it. It's fine, but I hope that there will be future installments in this series that bring it back to the previous level of quality.
bookishrealm's review against another edition
5.0
LMAO! Honestly, a lot of this was nod to Black culture and it's going to go over the heads of some even adults, but it is brilliant. It's very direct and different from the tone that he uses in his previous work, but I loved it. This was a pick for the Read of Comics book club, but it want to check out more of my thoughts check out the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/LzO9lK4B0tk?feature=share
elsanore's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
mthebookish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
happylilkt's review against another edition
This book is a bit of a mess. The characters were flat (I think Craft leaned too heavily on the characterization of past books—it's been a while since I read the first two and I felt lost and disengaged). Also, I missed the beautiful handling of race and class issues in the previous books—this was all over the place. I will still recommend New Kid far and wide, but this wasn't any fun to read, so I stopped.
librarylandlisa's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good read. The artwork was not final in the review copy I received but the story was there. I like the way it showed the dynamics of the group and their respective families. I see why this author is popular!
jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
I'd have given this book 2 starts if it hadn't been for the author's note, which I read first (thanks, Tena!). The conversations felt needed but not super realistic. Still, I'm glad a book with characters having these conversations exists.