Category: Read Harder

If you have never picked up manga in your life, this might be the one to turn you into a manga fanatic. Told in vignettes, this series follows the escapades of a former crime boss who has become a house husband. And the only thing The Immortal Dragon loves more than a good deal at the grocer is his wife. 

What if we lived in a world where only Black people had superpowers? 

That’s it. That’s the tweet.

(I’ll mention there’s also the follow-up Black [AF]: America’s Sweetheart, which I liked even better.)

With the new series out from FX, now is as good a time as any to explore yet another imagining of Octavia E. Butler’s horrifying, heartbreaking, incredible story of a woman lost between two time periods. 

And then when you’re done with that, because you’re going to need a heckuva pick up, read this giant ball of cotton candy masquerading as a book about villains. Sure, it’s good to know what’s going on in Harley Quinn: The Animated Series, but it’s almost more fun to have absolutely no idea what’s going on beyond the pages of the book. 

This collection of comics highlights the history of what is now called Canada, but in stories that invoke magic and science fiction. All of the creators are Indigenous.

This is very much what it says on the tin! An adorable, single-volume story about two women who already live together and just…go ahead and get married. It’s sweet and fun, and also there might be a little bit of nudity. 

Chetwynd has published a few volumes collecting her one- and two-page comics, but this one is probably my favorite. Usually in three or four black and white panels, she highlights an element of her life in funny or poignant ways. 

How often do we get to read comics about lesbian Edwardian maids? (Well, technically, I think Esther is an assistant housekeeper or some such.) This sweet story follows two domestic workers through the evolution of the industrial period and their own understanding of themselves, each other, and the world. I’ll give another heads up for nudity in this one. 

In this slim volume, Barajas writes himself into the comic highlighting the story of his great-grandfather, who spearheaded the development of an Arizona Indigenous organization and helped pave the way for federal recognition of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. 

Debbie Tung is a graphic memoirist who knows exactly how to punch you in the chest with her art, and Everything is OK is yet another example of this. Detailing her own experiences with depression and anxiety, Tung pulls the reader in with her simple art style and emotional journey.

I didn’t think a graphic novel about roller derby would make me cry, but leave it to Pamela Ribon (whose graphic novel My Boyfriend is a Bear ALSO made me cry). But the thing is this story is more than about roller derby; it’s about friendship and platonic love and finding joy in something. I bet you’ll cry, too. 

You’ll notice there aren’t many superhero comics on here, and that’s in part because there are just so many, and you can always pick one up and see what you think. But since I included a DC Comics one, I thought I should at least offer one Marvel recommendation. America Chavez had a small role in the most recent Dr. Strange movie, but hopefully we’ll be seeing more of her in the future.

Finally, if you’re interested in solving a mystery or two, Goldie Vance is your girl. She lives in a hotel in the 1950s, and gets into all kinds of trouble.

This YA novel is written by a powerhouse group of Black authors, and the narrators are also Black and include Shayna Small, Bahni Turpin, Korey Jackson, and more! The book is a series of interconnected stories about a surprise snowstorm in Atlanta days before Christmas, and the lengths a friend group will go to to help one of their own pull off the most epic apology ever in an effort to win back her girlfriend!

In Ben Phillippe’s hilarious and heartrending memoir, he tells the story of how he emigrated from Haiti to Canada as a young kid, grew up with a single mom, and then moved to New York City for college, Texas for grad school, and figured out how to make his own way as a Black Haitian-Canadian living in the U.S. James Fouhey (who also narrates Philippe’s YA novels) tells these stories with great comedic timing and heart.

Esme is a mixed race young woman from Vietnam who is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to America to marry a Vietnamese American man, but when she arrives, she discovers that the situation isn’t exactly what she thought. Her future husband, Khai, isn’t interested in marriage, and he doesn’t think he is capable of love. But as Esme falls for him, perhaps he can be persuaded. This heartwarming romance is narrated by Emily Woo Zeller, a powerhouse audiobook narrator who has an extensive backlist.

Vanessa Riley tells the true life story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas in this novel, a woman born into slavery who went on to become one of the richest people in South America. This epic story is narrated by the incredible Adjoa Andoh, a talented actress known for many stage and television roles, including Lady Danbury on Bridgerton.

Ten years ago, Aarav’s mother disappeared. Everyone assumed she simply ran off with a million in cash, but when her body is discovered not very far from Aarav’s childhood home, the cold case becomes an active murder investigation. This New Zealand-set mystery is narrated by actor Raj Varma.

Candice is spending a summer in grandmother’s hometown, where it’s bound to be a boring few weeks cleaning out her grandmother’s house. But when she uncovers a notebook with a mysterious scavenger hunt meant to write a historical injustice, Candice is sent on a life-changing journey. Cherise Boothe narrated this great audiobook, which is reminiscent of The Westing Game.

Noemí has been summoned to her cousin’s country estate when she falls ill with a mysterious illness. But once she arrives, Noemí realizes that something is very wrong here, and she’s unable to leave without her cousin. Frankie Corzo narrates this chilling gothic novel.

A teen girl hoping to quality for the Muay Thai Nationals and the first Olympic team is at the center of this YA novel about chasing your dreams, smashing stereotypes, and finding your place within your communities. Soneela Nankani narrates this novel, and she has a deep backlist of audio titles she’s lent her talents to as well.

It stands to reason that the more popular a book is, the more people will be reading it and therefore, a larger number of people will also put it down. This was THE YA book to read a few years ago. It’s the start to a West African-inspired fantasy trilogy that is also going to be a movie series.

Here it is, my own personal DNF that I am going to attempt to finish for the Read Harder Challenge. This book is a classic and so many, many people love it, but I thought it was ridiculously boring when I first picked it up. These characters are so moody and I hated them, which is why I eventually said, “NO MOOR.” (Pun intended.) On the whole, I am in favor of reading classics, because many are quite good. It’s been almost 30 years since I tried this one; maybe my middle-aged brain will enjoy it this time around.

Here’s another of the most popular YA series of the last few years. It’s an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai. It has rival gangs instead of rival families, but also has a river monster. The two groups must put their differences aside if they want to defeat the unknown terror that is killing them off.

I can see why this one is abandoned frequently. I did not find it to be an easy read at all. I only read it a couple of years ago in preparation for the release of the new adaptation, and I found it a bit boring and quite convoluted. But the worldbuilding is really quite fascinating, and intergalactic space travel and politics is always fun.

So this one is a novel I love that I recommended to my friend, who read 100 pages and abandoned it. I’m not hurt at all. (*sob*) No, really, I understand. It is over 800 pages long. But it’s an incredible work of historical fiction, if you’re up for the challenge. And you don’t have to take my word for it: Among it’s many awards and accolades, it was an Oprah book club pick, a National Book Award finalist, and the winner of the National Book Critics Circle for Fiction.

This is one of the biggest debut novel success stories. In over a decade since its release, The Night Circus has sold over three million copies worldwide. It’s the story of a magical circus and two young magicians raised to be competitors. Fantasy isn’t a genre for everyone, but if you didn’t finish this one, maybe pick it back up for this task!

I was surprised to see this top the Goodreads list of books marked ‘DNF’ because I loved it so much! It’s the story of a woman centuries ago who makes a deal with the Devil to get out of her current situation. He honors that request, but because he’s the Devil, he also has to pull some trickery: she is made immortal, but no one in the world ever remembers her.

And this National Book Award finalist is another book many people set aside without finishing, and I completely understand why. It’s a novel of four friends and their lives and loves in New York City. But it’s also a heck of a lot of detailed trauma, surrounding one of the friends. The compelling writing is what kept me reading this one.

In this story about falling for the girl next door, the girl next door isn’t so much a girl as an android (cue Janet “not a girl” reference). Androids have won their independence, but what is it like to date one? Buckle in and find out in this cute, queer sci-fi webcomic.

The author of A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking and Nettle and Bone (under the pen name T. Kingfisher) pens a tale of a no-nonsense wombat who finds herself stuck on the wrong end of a one way tunnel straight to a nonsensical land. Along with the help of a shadow being, a hyena, a talking god statue, and an oracle slug, she must figure out some way to return home. Sadly this one is no longer available to read for free online, but you can still get the first volume or the entire omnibus in print.

What happens when a Hard of Hearing witch is reunited with her former best friend turned werewolf only to discover that some terrible demon is stalking them? Mooncakes, that’s what! This sweet, magical romance follows two best friends navigating a whole lot of supernatural shenanigans and they burgeoning feelings for one and other. You can read the first issue online for free.

Beloved webcomic — and one of my personal favorites — Check Please follows an ice-skater turned hockey player trying to win over his new teammates at Samwell University one baked good at a time. Bitty is a baker, hockey player, and part-time vlogger who will absolutely win over your heart with his Southern charm and never-ending positivity. Even if you know nothing about hockey (like me) you’ll absolutely love this webcomic.

Anthropologist Halisi Mwangi longs to bring the past to other planets, but when her spaceship malfunctions, suddenly her carefully packed shuttle of antiquities is destroyed, and she’s stranded on an alien planet with only the contents of her pockets to teach the aliens of this world about Earth. It’s a sci-fi adventure story like no other!

This autobiographical manga has become an internet sensation over the last few years, but did you know it was originally published on the art website Pixiv? That’s right, My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness was a webcomic before it was the hit coming of age (and coming out) manga it is today.

I’m a big fan of Sarah Anderson’s comics on Instagram, so you better believe I was falling all over myself to read her new webcomic turned graphic novel about a vampire and a werewolf falling in love. Is their love story complicated? Oh, yes, wonderfully so. And this slice-of-life supernatural romance is full of macabre jokes and monstrous fondness that will leave you longing for more.

Originally published on the popular webcomic app WebToon, Always Human explores a near future where augmented reality allows humans to present themselves with all sorts of body modifications without ever going under the knife. But not everyone can enjoy this future. Some, like Austen, live with a syndrome that doesn’t allow them to utilize these mods. It’s a story of tech, love, and what it means to be human.

This Nordic-inspired post apocalyptic webcomic features four volumes of intricate worldbuilding full of trolls, beasts, and giants. It is a story of horror, monsters, magic, and Norse mythology that follows a group of explorers setting out on a research mission to explore the forgotten world. But even more than that, it is a story of friendship and coming together even in the toughest of times.

The most challenged book in 2021 is a graphic memoir about Maia’s journey to realizing e does not fit into the gender binary, and eir journey of discovery. Unsurprisingly, it has been banned and challenged due to LGBTQ+ content and claims of sexually explicit material.

This book about a young Chicano man working as a landscaper and stuck in his life has been highly lauded…but also challenged for LGBTQ+ content and for being considered sexually explicit. (Note: This title has been often confused with Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen, a children’s book.)

This is a moving memoir about George’s journey through childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood and navigating the expectations of society while being both queer and Black. It’s been challenged for LGBTQ+ content, profanity, and for being considered sexually explicit.

This Printz Honor book tells the story of two teens who fall in love, despite the laws that would keep them apart, set against the backdrop of a deadly explosion in 1937 Texas. It’s been challenged for its depictions of abuse, and because it’s considered sexually explicit.

The mega bestseller about a girl who witnesses police violence and becomes a voice for change has been on the most challenged list since it came out. It’s been challenged for profanity, violence, and because it’s thought to depict an anti-police sentiment.

The oldest book on the list, this modern classic from the great Toni Morrison is about a young girl who is tormented by her desire for blue eyes, and the tragedy that she encounters in her life. It has been challenged for its depictions of sexual abuse and for being considered sexually explicit.

What does is mean to be queer? No matter how you think you might identify, this book is a primer on identity and the LGBTQ+ community. For obvious reasons, it’s continually challenged for LGBTQ+ content, and because it offers sex education.

Susan Kuklin has interviewed six teens who identify as transgender and documented their stories and journeys to coming out, transitioning, and learning to live in a world that isn’t always welcoming to trans kids. It’s been challenged for LGBTQ+ content and because it’s considered to be sexually explicit.

The Indigenous community in the United States has a long and rich history of activism related to the environment. In this book, researcher and activist Dina Gilio-Whitaker chronicles Indigenous resistance to government and corporate intervention via treaty violations, threats to food and water, and more. These different threads all came together throughout 2016 when the protest at Standing Rock brought national attention to Indigenous activists and highlighted how much modern environmentalists have to learn from their history.

While it seems funny to include a book about “doing nothing” on a list about activism, this one really does fit well. Artist and activist Jenny Odell argues that attention is our most important (and exploited) asset that we need to take control of in order to succeed at political action like saving the environment. She pushes back against capitalist narratives about productivity and technology, to argue that being in nature and away from screens can help us rethink our place in the world.

This book is an anthology “documenting the experiences of women of color at the dawn of the twenty-first century.” Through poetry and prose, it captures the experiences of women across careers, economic status, sexuality, and cultures as they “exercise autonomy, creativity, and dignity.” It includes pieces by actresses, activists, journalists, executives, authors, and more. It’s especially cool that the book was entirely produced by women of color, in addition to featuring their voices.

This book takes a global look at the impact of memes as pieces of “pop culture, politics, protest, and propaganda” both on and offline. An Xiao Mina is a digital media scholar and technologist interested in understanding how memes work and how they “reinforce, amplify, and shape” politics and culture. She argues that the silliness of meme culture is directly tied to the way memes can also direct attention to important social issues, poking at those in power in ways that aren’t always possible directly. 

Alice Wong is a disabled activist, writer, and director of the Disability Visibility Project. The title of this memoir comes from Chinese culture, where the tiger is “deeply revered for its confidence, passion, ambition, and ferocity” — qualities Wong embodies each day. This memoir combines essays, previously published work, graphics, photos, and art from other disabled and Asian American artists. Through this “impressionistic scrapbook,” she shares a look at her life as an activist, writer, and community organizer. This memoir is innovative, moving, and readable.

Patrisse Khan-Cullors’ was raised by a single mother in a poor Los Angeles neighborhood where she experienced the prejudice Black Americans experience at the hands of the police. Thanks to her mother and teachers, she was able to attend a well-supported charter school in an adjacent neighborhood. This book is the story of her childhood, her early work as an activist, the people she has loved and who have loved her, and more. Khan-Cullors gets into the details of founding the Black Lives Matters movement with Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi in the last part of the book, sharing how it went from a hashtag to a full movement around accountability from law enforcement.

Linda Sarsour is a Palestinian Muslim American activist who was a co-organizer of the Women’s March. In this memoir she writes about growing up in Brooklyn, attending protests in Washington D.C. and discovering her “innate sense of justice” in the wake of the September 11 attacks. She also writes about learning how to be a community organizer and shares her experiences fighting for “racial, economic, gender, and social justice” throughout her career. Inspiring!

This book is a dual memoir of a daughter and her mother, queer Latina feminist Cherríe Moraga and her mother, Elvira, who grew up picking cotton in California. In the 1920s, Elvira left California to work as a cigarette girl in Tijuana, a choice that allowed her to learn lessons about “power, sex, and opportunity” from the wealthy men she met. Moraga parallels that story with her own journey of self-discovery, passion for activism, and history of her community. As Elvira slips into the grips of Alzheimer’s disease, Moraga digs deeper into stories of the Mexican American diaspora.

This is a favorite of Nick Harkaway’s, and is one one of my favorite indie press books. It’s a madcap, razor-sharp satire of war in the vein of Catch-22 or Fobbit, with a touch of Three Kings. It’s set during the U.S. invasion of Baghdad, and follows two men who sell goods on the black market who wind up in possession of a prisoner who says he will lead them to Saddam Hussein’s riches if they let him go.

I picked this one up because it was so enthusiastically and beautifully blurbed by Jami Attenberg. And I am so glad I did, because it ended up being one of my favorite books of the year! This one will wring so many tears from your heart. It’s about a dancer who is deciding if she will visit her estranged father after learning that he is dying. Perfect for fans of Tell the Wolves I’m Home and A Little Life.

When pressed, I will tell you that this novel is definitely in my top three favorite books. It’s about the death of a former slave and what happens with his widow, who tries to manage his plantation and the enslaved people who work it. It’s a gorgeous, powerful work, and one of the winningest books for all ties, in both accolades and cash awards, including the Pulitzer. It was no surprise to me when one of my favorite authors, Colson Whitehead, mentioned it as being important to him while writing his first Pulitzer Prize-winning book, The Underground Railroad.

And speaking of Edward P. Jones, he mentioned once in an interview that he was influenced by this collection of stories by James Joyce while writing his own collection, Lost in the City. Believe me when I tell you that Jones is one of the best living short story writers, so while I haven’t read this book, it’s on my TBR for sure. Jones loves Irish story writers — he has also mentioned Mary Lavin as another favorite.

Any book blurbed by the magical Kelly Link is an auto-buy for me, and this is probably my favorite that I picked up for that reason. It’s set in Vietnam, back and forth over decades, involving two missing young women in different times, a priest, war, and a whole lot of snakes. It’s a visceral, astounding novel.

In researching what books the amazing Charlie Jane Anders loves, I came across a list with a few recommendations. This is one I have always meant to read, and I actually own, so I think I will pick this one for the 2023 Read Harder Challenge. Lessing is a winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, and this is the story of a young writer who keeps four different colored notebooks (black, red, yellow, blue) for four different facets of her life, but may one day combine them into — you guessed it — the golden notebook.

And this is the book recommended to me by Elizabeth McCracken, which I eagerly read and loved! The title is a bit confusing because it’s a fake biography of a child genius (Edwin Mullhouse) written by a childhood acquaintance (Jeffrey Cartwright) but of course really all written by Steven Millhauser. It was quirky and darkly humorous and brilliant, and it made me feel like I was seeing a bit into McCracken’s brain, because her work is also all of those things. This novel turned 50 this year, and I can now see Millhauser’s possible influence on A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, and Less by Andrew Sean Greer, and Patrick deWitt’s upcoming novel The Librarianist. What a treat it was to be assigned this task.

After Donna Tartt released The Secret History, it was ten years before she released her next book, The Little Friend. It was a very different style than her first, and did not receive the same love that The Secret History was given. I myself loved The Little Friend, and I also love the works of Charles Portis. When I learned that True Grit is Donna Tartt’s favorite novel, it was so easy to see Portis’s influence on The Little Friend. I personally think True Grit is the greatest Western ever written, and worth reading, even if you don’t like Westerns. And if you love Donna Tartt, recent editions include an afterword written by her, and you can also hear her read the audiobook in her lovely Southern accent.

And last but not least, another book I am considering for the 2023 Read Harder challenge recommended in an interview by one of the most amazing authors I’ve read: Alexander Chee! It’s the story of a young woman and her three college friends set amidst the political turmoil of South Korea in the 1980s. The narrator, Jung Yoon, recounts past tragedies and relationships in her life.

This award-winning novel follows three women, trans and cis, who — after an unexpected pregnancy — decide to raise a baby together. This was a bestseller that was named one of the best books of the year by a ton of publications last year, including NPR and The New York Times.

This has recently come back into print with a new afterword from the author, which I am very happy about, because it’s one of my favorite books. Maria is an unforgettable main character: overanalyzing, ironic, dissatisfied, and so compelling. When she’s fired and her girlfriend breaks up with her, she steals her ex’s car and takes off on a cross-country road trip, eventually meeting James, who she’s sure she can help transition, even though James is not ready to face that yet.

This is a fantasy novel set in a queernormative, Persian-inspired world with an asexual, aromantic, nonbinary main character. Firuz is a refugee working at a clinic who discovers a deadly blood-borne disease that is spreading. But Firuz is a blood magic practitioner, and this disease might bring even more danger down on them.

How do I explain this book? It has deals with the devil, a donut store run by alien refugees, and a trans teen runaway who is a violin prodigy. These disparate parts combine into a heart-achingly affective story, but do be prepared to read about both the kindness and the cruelty of humanity. (Check trigger warnings for this one.) It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read.

If you like experimental SFF, this is the novella for you. It includes multiple nonbinary characters, including one that is fused with the city’s security system. The main character, Anima, uses æ/ær/ær pronouns. The other character, Vessel, uses se/ser/ser pronouns.

This has been one of the most frequently banned and challenged books since its release, but it’s a very sweet, gentle middle grade story about a trans girl, Melissa, who wants to audition to be Charlotte in the school’s production of Charlotte’s Web.

As a Black, queer, trans teen, Felix worries that he’s “too much” to find the romance he’s looking for. When someone starts anonymously harassing him by publicly posting his deadname and pre-transition photos, he never expects that his revenge plot would also be the start of a new relationship. This is a book about self-discovery and always learning more about your own identity.

This is a recent release that reimagines Nick and Jay from The Great Gatsby as queer trans boys, and Nick and Daisy as Latine. Aiden Thomas, author of Cemetery Boys, said that “With a breath of fresh life, Self-Made Boys shows us how queer love has flourished in quiet corners across history.”

Speaking of Aiden Thomas, you may have already heard of Cemetery Boys, a very popular trans paranormal YA title with an M/M romance, but did you know he has a new series that also has a trans main character? The Trials pit the most worthy semidioses against each other: the winner will be the Sunbearer, but the loser will be sacrificed. Teo is shocked to be chosen, and now he has to try to keep him and his friends from becoming the sacrifice — while attempting not to get distracted by the handsome top competitor who was once his best friend.

Benji is a trans boy on the run from a cult who have made him a bioweapon to try to end the world. He finds refuge with a group of queer teens, but they have their own secrets, and he’s a ticking time bomb. This is a rage-filled story that tackles transphobia head-on and has lots of body horror, so be prepared for that going in.

Historical romance great Beverly Jenkins’s first book, Night Song, is the story of a Kansas schoolteacher and the Union officer she can’t resist. (This can also qualify as a classic of genre fiction, which I mention a little further down.)

Arriving in Paris from Santo Domingo to build her family’s rum business, Luz Alana doesn’t expect Evan Sinclair. And she certainly doesn’t expect the marriage of convenience he offers to help her and her business.

When entrepreneur Grayson Hunter seeks the brilliant person that has been recommended to create the code that will take his telegraph business further into China, he’s surprised to discover that person is a woman. But they’re both more than willing to go with the flow. 

What better way to figure out what the heck is happening in the most recent theatrical adaptation than to read the source material? Young Paul Atreides and his family must move to the planet of Arrakis, where the spice is from. But there are people who aren’t happy about that. 

This classic thriller novel centers a young sociopath who slowly insinuates his way into the life of a socialite. If you’ve never read a Patricia Highsmith novel, this is definitely a great place to start. 

This exceptionally well written book follows Fen in a near-distant future in which the world as we know it no longer exists. Reminiscent of Parable of the Sower, this is the story of a girl seeking a better life in a place far from home, before it kills her. 

After a second civil war that has left the US broken and powerless, Van and his community work to keep alive and keep others out. When Clark arrives to stay with family, the two might have some chemistry; but trust is hard in a world where any outsider might be ready to kill you. 

This historical mystery set in 18th century Joseon (Korea, for those of you who didn’t spend the whole pandemic downing K-Dramas) centers Hyeon, a palace nurse. After four women are murdered in the palace, Hyeon starts her own investigation to help prove the murderer wasn’t a beloved mentor. 

Pride and Prejudice. In Pakistan. I’m not sure I need to say any more.

Snooty bookseller Rex surprises Jordan at the romance book club he runs after an unfriendly encounter at the bookstore. He’s hesitant at first, but he might be coming around to this whole romance novel thing. Meta AF.

When staid accountant Cade and flighty artist Selena co-inherit a home and a sex toy shop, they have to figure out what to do about it…and each other.

If you’re a fan of movies, or even just a fan of snark, you might enjoy this book. To some, this book might look like Lindy just recapping the plots of several films, but there’s more to it. Trust me. 

While anything by Phoebe is laughworthy, this book is particularly fun and interesting, for any reader. A combination of essay, memoir, and advice, every chapter has moments of hilarity and depth. 

While each of the characters, styles, and themes of the stories in this collection are different, they all have one thing in common: excellence. There is not a skippable story in the bunch.

Stories about first and second generation Cambodian Americans abound in this collection that is both hilarious and heartbreaking. 

Did you know Walter Mosley wrote short stories? And not a single one in this collection is a mystery novel, at least not in the same way the Easy Rawlins books are. But they are fascinating takes on so many different kinds of Black men and the people around them. 

Writer and anthropologist Treuer digs into the modern history of Native peoples on the American continent, their relationship with settler colonialism, and how that has impacted Native and tribal life today.

Do you have thoughts about desire, desirability, race, and anti-fatness? I can assure you, after you read this relatively short book, you’re gonna. 

Space Gays Fight The Patriarchy. 

That’s it, that’s the tweet.

Titular new kid Jordan knows that his new school is going to offer him more academic opportunities than his old school near home, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t miss his neighborhood friends.