School Trip

Jordan’s opening comic addresses the negativity and criticism in both media and daily life. He observes that mean-spirited behavior often gets attention. However, Jordan resolves not to contribute to this negativity, pledging not to be one of the “thumbs-downers of the world” (195). The following morning, the group is outside the Louvre. When Andy complains about the line, Jordan responds with a thumbs down, surprising him. Inside the Louvre, Alexandra tells Jordan that now that she has friends, she no longer needs her puppets. Drew checks on Ramon, who apologizes for his outburst the previous night. Drew assures him that he’s got his back. As they look at the Mona Lisa, Andy notes that it’s smaller than he imagined, and Jordan unexpectedly agrees.

Back at the hotel, Andy asks Drew to convince Jordan to go back to their room, but Drew refuses. Andy complains that everyone is always teaming up against him. Drew points out his mean behavior and suggests it’s rooted in racism. Andy denies this, insisting his dislike for Drew has nothing to do with his ethnicity, as he actually likes Jordan. Drew tells Andy he doesn’t understand what it’s like to be Black—at the mall, he didn’t understand why he didn’t want to take the shirt back. Andy complains Drew is making him feel uncomfortable, but Drew explains that he’s the one feeling uncomfortable in his situation. He asks Andy: “[D]o you at least realize how different our lives are? How ONE of us will have so many more advantages than the other?” (209). Pages 210-11 show a black-and-white illustration of Andy and Drew engaged in a heated discussion. Andy argues that Black kids have an advantage because they get scholarships and special internships. Drew counters by saying that Black kids still face financial disadvantages and prejudice. Andy accuses Drew of acting like he’s better than him. Drew agrees, stating that he is indeed better than Andy, and then walks away.

On the final day of the trip, everyone is preoccupied with their issues—Ashley can’t stop checking Ruby’s Instagram, Drew is upset with Andy, and so on. Only Jordan truly appreciates the art during their visit to the Picasso Museum. During dinner, Mr. Roche asks everyone to share something they’ve learned. He starts by saying he’s learned to be out of his comfort zone. Drew shares that he’s learned to slow down, and that in Paris he felt invisible, in a good way. Jordan says that he loved the art and wants to be an artist more than ever. Ashley, hugging Samira and Alexandra, reflects on making new friends, as does Drew, looking at Maury. Ramon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing his own happiness, and, lastly, Andy apologizes for bullying Ramon. Later, at the hotel, Jordan, Drew, and Liam invite Andy to hang out with them. The next morning, everyone is sad to leave Paris.

The chapter begins with a comic strip featuring a child happily reading a book. Meanwhile, those around him exhibit various negative emotions—some are sad while working, others fight with the police, and some argue over politics. At the end, a woman takes the book away from the child and points to a sign reading “BANNED BOOKS.” The comic concludes with the statement: “It’s not the books, it’s the people!” (229).

Back at school, the families have arrived to pick up their children, and everyone says goodbye and thanks Maury for covering the meals. Ramon hugs him and tells him it was the best time he has ever had. Andy says goodbye to Ramon, holding a thumbs up. In the car ride home with his parents, Jordan shares how much he enjoyed the trip. At home, he meets Kirk, a friend from the neighborhood. He gives him €10 as a souvenir and urges him to one day go to Paris himself to spend them. Kirk says he will. The following morning, Jordan makes a list of the pros and cons of attending art school. Prepared to discuss his dilemma with his parents, he is interrupted by his mom, who states that he will remain at RAD—she doesn’t think going to art school is a good career choice. She tells him that, because he’s a Black kid from Washington Heights, he will never become a best-selling comic artist.

On Monday morning, Jordan tells Drew he will stay at RAD. As they walk down the hallway, they’re stopped by Mrs. Brickner, who shares that she realized that there’s a lack of positive books by Black authors in the school—“books with positive characters who do more than suffer through their daily lives” (243). She explains that most of these books have been banned, but she managed to get some anyway, as well as some graphic novels for Jordan. Jordan and Drew are thrilled by the news.

Later, on the final day of school, Maury is bullied by some students, but Ramon stands up for him and asks them to stop. All the kids from the Paris trip rally behind him in support. In the closing pages of the book, narrated by Jordan, he reflects on the positive changes that have occurred in the past weeks. New friendships have blossomed, Jordan is starting a graphic novel club, and Andy has shown improvement. Jordan’s parents have enrolled him in summer art classes. Jordan concludes that, although he started as the new kid at RAD, everyone has transformed into new and improved versions of themselves. Their goal is to make RAD a better place. The final panel depicts the group smiling together for a photo.