School Trip

The graphic novel opens by establishing the primary internal conflict throughout the story—while narrator and protagonist Jordan is thrilled about the idea of pursuing his dream and attending art school to become a comic artist, he’s hesitant to leave his friends behind and start anew at a different school. Jordan’s desire to accomplish his goals, therefore, clashes with his relationships and comfort level, introducing some of the challenges that accompany Following One’s Dreams. In a reflective moment captured in his comic strip on Pages 8-9, Jordan expresses his desire to uncover his real identity: “I really hope to figure out WHO I am, and what I REALLY want…” (9). He is embarking on a journey of self-discovery and must confront his fears. This theme is also applied to other aspirations, such as the trip to Paris. Although Jordan is excited about the trip, and he envisions himself there as a famous comic author with a devoted fanbase, he is also fearful about flying to a foreign country where he doesn’t speak the language. He showcases maturity and introspection as he contemplates this in his comic on Pages 60-61. Using the butterfly as a symbol, he understands the importance of overcoming fears and pursuing dreams—he compares himself to a caterpillar in a chrysalis, who will transform into a butterfly once he confronts his fears. The illustration on the bottom of Page 61 depicts him as a colorful butterfly taking flight, symbolizing the culmination of his journey toward self-discovery and personal growth. Jordan is repeatedly depicted as self-aware and self-motivated, able to strive toward goals in a consistent and level-headed manner.

Like the earlier books in the series, School Trip tackles The Impact of Racism and Discrimination. In Chapter 2, Jordan illustrates how Black people are often ignored by salespeople in malls and wrongly assumed to be thieves, while white customers are treated with respect. Later, when Drew realizes that the shirt he just bought still has the security tag attached and he threw away the receipt, Mrs. Banks offers to buy him a new one. Andy, the school bully, doesn’t understand why, prompting Mrs. Banks to explain that “Drew can’t risk anyone thinking he stole that shirt…It’s just not worth it” (50). Andy’s inability to grasp this highlights his privilege as a white person who hasn’t experienced such discrimination. Additionally, Liam’s grandparents make racist remarks about Jordan, Drew, and Maury. They express disbelief that their grandchild could be friends with Black children and hold prejudiced beliefs about Black students not being able to attend a prestigious school like RAD. Their prejudice informs their ignorance, as Maury’s parents are actually more affluent than Liam’s family, and Liam himself reveals that his father used to work for Maury’s father. Their racism, however, limits their perspective, leading them to view Black people through a narrow stereotype of being lower class and poor. After the awkward interaction, Liam offers an apology. This shows that people can overcome the influence of their family’s prejudices and better themselves.

Closely related to topics of racism and discrimination is The Beauty of Diversity, introduced in the characters themselves, in conflict, and in the setting. In Chapter 3, Paris is introduced as a vibrant city where art flourishes, and individuals are respected regardless of their race. Jordan’s grandpa reminisces about Black artists from his time who sought refuge in Paris, finding recognition and acceptance, highlighting The Beauty of Diversity. This foreshadows Jordan’s own journey to Paris. A city famous for its rich artistic heritage and cultural diversity, Paris will provide a fertile ground for the characters’ personal growth and self-discovery.

Craft’s light-hearted and humorous tone makes the graphic novel approachable for young readers despite its serious themes. For example, Jordan and his father bicker over watching the movie Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown on VHS—Jordan doesn’t even know what a VHS is and prefers his phone. Later, Jordan pokes fun at his dad for wearing an all-gray outfit, which he calls a “groutfit,” and refuses to let him drive him to the mall. Jordan and his best friend Drew have a playful relationship, often teasing each other and using silly nicknames. Drew calls Jordan “Air Jordan,” and Jordan struggles to come up with a new nickname for him. Craft’s illustrations also add to the humor, such as when he draws Jordan, Drew, and Liam as deflating balloons when they learn that Andy will be joining their school trip. Moreover, the unexpected presence of Mr. Roche and Mr. Garnier, neither of whom speaks French, sets the stage for humorous situations during the trip. All of these details lighten the tone of the story and make important societal issues more accessible to younger audiences.