40 pages • 1 hour read
Jerry CraftSchool Trip
Fiction | Graphic Novel/Book | Middle Grade | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Character Analysis
Themes
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Important Quotes
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BetaThemes
The Impact of Racism and Discrimination
School Trip explores issues of racism and discrimination, shedding light on their impact on people’s daily lives. Through the cast of young characters, the story particularly acknowledges the experiences of modern adolescents facing discrimination, including microaggressions in a school and social setting. Craft highlights the effect that discriminatory acts have on the lives of their targets.
The character Jordan is aware of the prejudices ingrained in society and addresses them often in his illustrations. For example, he depicts the truth that in malls, Black people are often ignored and overlooked by salespeople; however, when they browse independently, they may be branded as potential thieves solely based on their race. This situation arises when Drew hesitates to return a shirt with the security tag still attached, as he fears being accused of theft. Jordan’s mom explains, “Drew can’t risk anyone think he stole that shirt … It’s just not worth it” (50). Andy’s lack of understanding of the situation further highlights the discrepancy between white and Black experiences.
Craft often illustrates how racism perpetuates stereotypes, erasing the diverse realities of Black people’s lives. The character of Maury defies the stereotype that associates Blackness with poverty and lower social status—Maury comes from a wealthy family and lives in a mansion, and his father used to be Liam’s father’s boss. However, he encounters skepticism from Liam’s grandparents, who don’t believe he could attend a prestigious school like RAD: “[Y]ou ALL go there?!” (71), the grandfather questions. Similarly, at the airport, a man questions Maury’s eligibility for first class. These instances show that racism narrows people’s perspectives and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. Liam’s grandparents and the man at the airport are examples of individuals influenced by their prejudice.
Moreover, Andy’s bullying is portrayed as inherently linked to racism. He teases Ramon for having less money than he does and mocks him with the derogatory nickname “Jamón.” Ramon therefore experiences discrimination and bullying due to both his social standing and ethnic background. Ramon reveals that his Latino parents face similar treatment: “[T]hey never get invited to stuff, either. And when they do, people hand them their coats or ask them to bring their cars around” (190). Andy, who is white, remains oblivious to his racism, lacking self-awareness as well as the context needed to understand the effect of his actions. It’s Drew who, in Chapter 8, enlightens him about the reality of systemic racism. For Andy to grow, he must educate himself. Eventually, Andy undergoes a transformation, which underscores the message that it is possible to overcome learned racist behaviors. Notably, the entire group of kids bands together to address Andy’s racism. While this is an optimistic portrayal of the values of modern youth, it is also true that without this particular interaction, Andy may have gone many more years or even a lifetime without the necessary context to understand his behavior. Through the story, Craft addresses the issue head-on and works to educate readers. While each character deals with racism in different ways, they all endure its effects. Racism emerges as a force rooted in ignorance, inflicting detrimental consequences.
Following One’s Dreams
One of the key themes of School Trip is the importance of following one’s dreams and overcoming obstacles to achieve them. This theme is exemplified through the character arc of Jordan, the protagonist. Jordan has a clear ambition—to become a famous comic artist. On page 55, he pictures himself in Paris, wearing a beret, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd asking for his autograph. During his time in Paris, Jordan is exposed to the magnificent artworks displayed in various museums. This reaffirms his passion for art, as he declares: “I want to be an artist more than EVER now!” (221). The setting of Paris, with its artistic heritage and cultural richness, serves as a source of inspiration for Jordan. Therefore, Jordan’s dream of becoming an artist is clear and resolute.
Still, following one’s dreams isn’t depicted as a smooth journey, as it often involves navigating internal conflicts and external challenges. Throughout the graphic novel, Jordan faces an internal dilemma. On one hand, he’s been accepted into art school, a golden opportunity for his artistic aspirations. Yet, he’s torn by the prospect of leaving behind his friends at RAD. He reflects: “I really hope to figure out WHO I am, and what I REALLY want…” (9). He slowly realizes that facing his fears is essential. At the beginning of Chapter 3, he depicts himself as a caterpillar emerging from a chrysalis, transforming into a beautiful butterfly. Through this symbolism, Jordan acknowledges the necessity of struggling to become the best version of himself.
Jordan also encounters resistance from his parents, who doubt his ability to succeed as a Black kid raised in Washington Heights. “Do you really think that one day you’ll grow up make some New York Times best-selling comic book?” (241), his mother questions. This is an autobiographical reference, as Craft also grew up in Washington Heights. However, Craft went on to win numerous awards and is celebrated as a Black comic artist. Despite his parents’ decision for him to remain at RAD, Jordan refuses to abandon his dream. Instead, he enrolls in art classes over the summer. This underscores his unwavering pursuit of his dreams despite the obstacles in his path.
Through the conflict with Jordan’s parents, Craft also explores the complexities of pursuing one’s dreams in a world of discrimination and bias. His parents attempt to help him avoid the issue of discrimination from the comic community altogether, but in doing so discourage him from his dreams. Additionally, Jordan acknowledges the privilege he has in being able to follow his own dream despite limitations from his parents or society, recognizing that not everyone may have the same opportunity. In the comic strip at the beginning of Chapter 6, he expresses his belief that everyone should have a goal in life and laments the unfairness that many kids from his neighborhood don’t have aspirations. Back from Paris, he gifts his friend Kirk €10, urging him to one day travel to France. Through this gesture, Jordan demonstrates his desire to inspire others to follow their dreams, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Jordan remains a determined advocate for his own future and the future of others throughout the story, defying discriminatory expectations and bias and working toward a future in which these dreams are within reach.
The Beauty of Diversity
In School Trip, Craft underscores the beauty of diversity and the importance of celebrating it. The group going on the Paris trip exemplifies this diversity, as the kids all come from varied backgrounds. Drew, Jordan, and Maury are Black, though with differing skin tones. Samira is Muslim, and she educates the group on her dietary restrictions, explaining she can only eat halal or kosher food. Ramon is Latino, while Ashley, Andy, Alexandra, and Liam are white. Moreover, beyond their ethnic backgrounds, the kids have diverse personalities—for instance, Alexandra is reserved, while Ashley is extremely outgoing. Despite these differences, they eventually form a close-knit group. This unity is symbolized by the group photo at the end of the graphic novel, showing them as one cohesive unit. Alexandra articulates the theme of the beauty of diversity, recognizing the enriching value of differences: “[T]he more time we spend with people who aren’t like us, the more we learn that they really are like us…And if they’re not, that’s okay! Maybe we might like them anyway” (101).
The setting of Paris further emphasizes the message of diversity as a beautiful aspect of life. In Chapter 5, the kids are captivated by the differences between Paris and New York. They marvel at the ancient buildings and the relaxed atmosphere along the Seine—“I think they’re…RELAXING?” the kids say (115). Jordan reflects on the fast-paced lifestyle of New Yorkers, contrasting it with the slower pace of life in Paris. Later, Sylvie, a woman they meet at the restaurant, points out a significant cultural distinction: In France, people value their personal lives over work. At the end of the trip, Drew reflects on how Paris has taught him to embrace life with more ease. The experience has broadened his horizons and offered him a new perspective.
However, not everyone embraces diversity. In the comic at the beginning of Chapter 5, Jordan highlights racism and observes that, while people enjoy variety in many aspects of life, they often struggle with diversity among people. Andy’s character exemplifies this lack of appreciation for diversity. His bullying is rooted in racism, and he fails to recognize the cultural richness of France. For instance, during meals in Paris, he is disgusted when Maury orders frog legs and snails, sticking to familiar American foods: “I’ll just have a good ol’ American hamburger” (154). Craft therefore emphasizes to young readers the importance of embracing differences in backgrounds and perspectives, while also acknowledging the unfortunate reality that racism and close-mindedness often lead people to cling to what is familiar to them.
