Author: Betsy Duffey
Title: Hey, New Kid!
Illustrator: Ellen Thompson
Genre: Chapter book, General Fiction
Subgenre: Acceptance
Theme: It’s better to be yourself
Primary and Secondary Characters: Cody, Holly,
Awards: Bluebonnet Award, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, SCASL Book Award (South Carolina), Sunshine State Young Reader's Book Award, West Virginia Children's Book Award
Publishing Company: Puffin Chapters
Date of Publication: 1996
Brief Summary and How to Use With Students:
With a father who is an F.B.I agent, a pet emu, and having a career as a pro-skater the new kid Cody seems to be, well super. Too bad for Cody none of this is true. When Cody moved during the middle of a school year he decides to create a new identity for himself to impress everyone. Too bad when Holly has a skate party his plan goes flop as well as Cody, right into the girl’s bathroom! With help from his parents, and an understanding teacher Cody is able to survive the school year and make friends.
Many of the emotions expressed in this story are ones that students will identify with. It can also allow students to understand how challenging it can be for a new student. It teaches students the importance of being honest and having strong character, and the value of true friendship.
Activities to do with students:
1. Cody imagines himself as super, new, and improved! Make a poster about yourself. What adjectives best describe you?
2. Cody wishes there was a book on how to make it through school when you’re a new kid. Have students work in groups to make a how-to book on How to be a New Kid.
3. Cody pretends to have a pet emu but even he did not know what an emu was. Have students look up emu and see what they can find out about this animal. Would it make a good pet? What would their dream pet be?
4. Make a timeline of your life as Cody did.
5. Have students list things that they could do to make a new students feel welcome.
