Jerry Craft has once more created a humorous, heart-felt, huggable adventure with Jordan Banks. In this book, Jordan and his friends take a school trip, as the title indicates, but Jordan also has to make some choices as he is in his last year of middle school.
In true Jerry Craft style, there are nods to culture and other graphic novels (love the tribute to Raina Telgemeir and there is so much to notice in a series of panels that take place at a mall). We also get a wonderfully diverse cast of characters, meaningful growth and development, and glimpses at Jordan’s art.
Jordan is the heart of the story, but the supporting cast gets to grow and have wonderful moments, too. Craft’s message of not being a “thumbs downer” is expressed in some great scenes, and he speaks to the power of graphic novels as real books, as well as negative and detrimental viewpoints that are sometimes shared without full knowledge of a book.
Finally, Craft gives a nod to his own author story and his concluding message in the book once more reminds us about the great need for books in which young readers can see themselves represented. This is the close to a trilogy that is sure to lead to more conversation, inspire more creators and young people, and hopefully serve as another work in more to come from Craft (after he enjoys a restful vacation and maybe some travel for himself).
School Trip is amazing!
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