Jordan is entering his last year of school at Riverday Academy Day School. He and his friends are excited to be going on the annual class trip with their group going to Paris. The school bully, Andy is supposed to be part of their group. When a series of misfortunate events occurs, including the teacher's cards not working, Jordan, his friends, and even Andy become closer and learn more about themselves, friendships, and navigating differences.

I love Jerry Craft's artwork. The story if magnificent. I love how the students were able to explain to peers that the color of their skin makes their life harder. Craft shows the capacity that we all have to grow and in improve. This is such an important lesson, especially now.

It felt fitting to post about Craft’s new graphic novel School Trip while I’m on a school trip of sorts! Track season is alllmosssttt over thank goodness. 😂

I LOVE this series and so do my students! I had so many students borrow New Kid and Class Act from me last year and they were so popular that they actually never made it back to my shelves. 🙃 I loved this book. This series deals with sensitive topics and the intricacies of friendship so lovingly and that’s my favorite part. I want all of my students to read these! Also...can people stop trying to ban these books? It's weird.

Plus, I loved that the kids travel to Paris in this book (I want to go SO badly) and I absolutely don’t think I would want to chaperone kids in Europe EVER. 😂

I enjoyed School Trip as much as Class Act and New Kid. Like Ms. Brickner, I sometimes struggle to read graphic novels because I am still developing that skill, but I enjoy the medium and enjoy sharing them with students. As an author, Craft doesn't just touch on but explicitly (and accurately) shares experiences of people of color, something that will help build understanding in school communities.

Jerry Craft does it again! A book that will open everyone eyes (not just kids!!) to what our words can truly mean both in and out of the classroom. Such a well written, entertaining, and engaging novel.

An excellent addition to any graphic novel collection and to Craft's award winning middle grade series. Full review linked here!

This is definitely my least favorite of the books in this series. That is not to say that it is bad. The problem I had was that this one feels less cohesive than any of the other entries. The school trip of the title is just a framing device but the plot itself seems erratic (in a series that is always a bit messy on the plot) I did like all the "lessons" we get even if they are incredibly heavy-handed ((and no, I don't think that they need to be for the demographic, give kids more credit))

This does feel like a good end to the series. Things do kind of come full circle and a lot of strings are tied up, but I couldn't help but be a little underwhelmed.

Absolutely loved School Trip. I recommend reading the first two books in the series to have a better understanding of the different character relationships. I think that everyone would benefit from reading this series!

On a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris, the kids are awed by the City of Light, but most of their time is spent learning about each other, AND themselves. It all makes for a fun and revealing excursion.

Though I missed the second book in this series, it wasn't too hard to figure out the dynamics of the group. I liked the frank conversations and difficult topics that were explored here, and hope this encourages some introspection and empathy in readers of the intended age group.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for the read.

Thank you, Net Galley. And thank you, Jerry Craft. We have purchased the new release already and await more copies next school year. I'm glad I got to read it online first, because it's been constantly checked out since our library purchased a copy.

Such a fun series to read and see the character grow up. I would strongly suggest reading the two previous to give the necessary context. Although it seems there were a gazillion years between the last one and this (in terms of the character's age), it still made sense and was fun!

Add it to your school libraries and share them ALL widely!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This story centers around Jordan Banks once again and his school trip to Paris. Jordan is an artist and creative and wants to make it a career. He’s been accepted to an art school the next year and needs to decide if he will leave RAD and his friends to pursue this passion. Yet, he has Paris to think about this decision. There are many issues that are dealt with through the course of the book - race, pre-judging/assumptions, bullying, having a dream that others don’t support, friendship, religious tolerance. It’s a beautiful example of a tween/YA book that can be enjoyed and something can be gained by all.

Jerry Craft did it again with the third book in this series. He expertly and simply explains white privilege and racism in an international setting, Paris, France with 8th grade kiddos across all different backgrounds and socio- economic status. Idioms are explained. Common French words and expressions are explored, along with travel, art, food, and culture in Paris, France.

SPOILER ALERT: The plot device for the chaperon switch and credit card debacle was a little contrived, but necessary for the bumbling adult instructors of the school to grow. If one does not mind having the kiddos smarter than the adults, you will have no problem. Again, I am a middle aged woman reading this book, not the exact target audience.

Other than the sentences above, I am highly impressed with the continuation of the characters growth and depth of friendships in this series. Traveling abroad is a perfect place to expand and explore upon these topics that are often too sensitive for adults to tackle in fiction or nonfiction books. Friends and family not on the trip also have perspectives considered within this series. No one is left behind; as always lots to think about and explore at any depth and for any age of reader.

Wonderful story! Loved it just as much as the predecessors. The characters come alive and the art is top notch.

This was so good! Jerry Craft just kills it every single time! I will forever read any graphic novels that he puts out (even if I got delayed in reading this)

School Trip by Jerry Craft is a humorous and relatable graphic novel that follows the adventures of a group of middle school students from Riverdale Academy on one of the school’s annual trips. Jordan and his friends are slated to visit the historic sites in Paris. Jordan’s group, which includes Drew, Liam, Ramon, Maury, Alex, Samira and Ashley as well as the annoying and rather racist Andy. Unfortunately, some students thought it would be fun to prank the school and mixed up the teachers chaperoning the different 8th grade trips. Since the new chaperones, Mr. Roche and Mr. Garner, don’t have the proper credentials and documents for a European trip, they need to rely on wealthy Maury to use his parents credit card.
Along the way, the students learn about the history and significance of the places they visit and learn some life lessons as they navigate the challenges of the trip, for example, who will be roommates with Andy, and many other snafus, including confronting Andy about the way he treats Ramon. I can’t say I loved this third installment of the New Kid series, but I was glad to see that some things were finally confronted and dealt with. That said, with lively illustrations and witty dialogue, School Trip is an engaging read that will resonate with readers of all ages.

I enjoyed every page of this book! The author tackled some heavy issues related to identity, self-acceptance, worldview, the importance of peer group selection, finding your voice, among others. Serious, yet engaging & fun, this book exposes the reader to cultural difference and experiences. Packed with humor and amazing illustrations. Every middle schooler should read this book; tons of mirrors and windows serving to build bridges and foster cultural sensitivity and awareness.

An excellent 3rd installment by Jerry Craft. Even with a mix-up with the chaperones for their class trip, our favorite middle schoolers explore Paris, France and learn not only about history and food, but how to be a good friend.

This had some shining moments and fabulous characters, but overall I wanted more in terms of plot. This felt like a bunch of puns, jokes, facts about France, and deep discussions strung together with a vague plot of being in a different country.

Readers who enjoyed the first two books in the series because of the discussions about equity and the experience of people of color will love this one! It felt like this book relied more heavily on those themes to drive the narrative.

Our friends from New Kid and Class Act are back and this time they're going to Europe! They'll have an immersive experience, explore museums, and explore issues that the books are known for exploring. The trip is all set and everyone is excited until there is a bizarre (and somewhat unbelievable) swap of the faculty chaperones. This messes up some of the trip's plans, but it opens up some discussions on wealth, race, and friendship.

The first half the book takes a while to build the set-up and feels somewhat forced to fit the eventual plot, but once the group gets to Europe, the story flows and the friends have good conversations with the class bully about what is funny, what is not, and how to be a good friend.

Overall, readers will be happy to see these friends one more time, but only if they can get past the unbelievable swap and lead up to the trip.

Another great book in the series! Will definitely be adding this to my elementary school library. The students are really looking forward to it too!