Jordan Banks

Jordan Banks is the central character and narrator of this novel. He is a 12-year-old Black middle school student who is being sent to attend a prestigious private school. Most of the students who attend that school are White and wealthy.

Jordan recognizes that his parents are torn over sending him to this new school. His mother believes that Jordan should learn how to play the games necessary to survive in the business world. Jordan’s father does not think Jordan should have to live by those rules to be able to support himself. Jordan, meanwhile, just wants to attend a school geared toward the arts.

Jordan shares his experiences with racial bias from students and teachers. He describes how he finds a few close friends with whom he has a good deal in common to override his sense that he does not fit in.

Jordan stands...