Genre
Graphic novel
Setting and Context
The book is set in the present day at an elite and predominantly white private school in the Bronx, New York City.
Narrator and Point of View
The narrator is Jordan Banks; the point of view stays with him.
Tone and Mood
The tone is comic, fanciful, and sincere; the mood switches between anxious and optimistic.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Jordan Banks is the protagonist; antagonists include Andy, Alexandra, Jordan's mother, Jordan's old friends and Jordan's new friends.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is that Jordan feels out of place as one of the few Black students in an elite, mostly white private school where he encounters consistent microaggressions.
Climax
The story reaches its climax when Jordan finally vocalizes his issues with the school when he defends Drew from Ms. Rawle's racist misinterpretation of his actions and tells Ms. Rawle that he would prefer to not always stand out as different from everyone else.
Foreshadowing
Understatement
Allusions
During the book fair scene, Liam mentions picking up the latest "Wimpy Kid." This is an allusion to The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, a popular series of books for middle-grade readers.
