Class Act

A well-Crafted, visually rich, truth-telling tale for our troubled times that affirms the eternal importance of friends. Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Craft makes the story honest and believable and presents it as a powerful, if difficult to achieve, real-world possibility. Another work of resounding understanding and empathy. Booklist (starred review) Lightning strikes twice as Craft again produces a funny and appealing yet sensitive and nuanced middle grade tale of inequity and microaggressions. School Library Journal (starred review) Hilarious and heartfelt. Craft adeptly balances poignant questionswith laugh-out-loud moments of adolescence, making Class Act a substantial snapshot of the interior life of boys, especially Black boys who are too often not afforded such attention, love, and care. The Horn Book (starred review) "Craft approaches Drewsand his devoted friendsdilemmas with candor and respect. Kids who missed volume one can dive in here and backtrack later; kids already on board will identify episodes and new characters around which they can build hope for a third entry." Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books (starred review) Deftly weaving discussions of race, socioeconomics, colorism, and solidarity into an accessible narrative, Craft offers a charming cast journeying through the complicated landscapes of puberty, self-definition, and changing friendships, all while grappling with the tensions of attending an institution that structurally and culturally neglects students of color. Publishers Weekly (starred review) A warm hug of a bookClass Acts modeling of thoughtful communication and its celebration of friendship are appealing and heartfelt. Crafts expressive characters, strong command of vibrant color and hits of visual humorincluding references to popular books in the double-page spreads that open each chapterare downright delightful. BookPage A moving and often very funny story about the convergence of an awkward age (13 to 14) with an awkward age (Americas racial reckoning). [Craft] balances his biting sendup of American race relations with poignant family portraits, and the art is most striking in quiet moments. The New York Times Book Review

Jerry Craft is the author-illustrator of #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novels New Kid, and its companion book, Class Act. New Kid was the first book in history to win the Newbery Medal, The Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers Literature. In his latest book, School Trip, Jerry hopes to share his love of travel in order to inspire kids and their families to see the world and embrace new cultures. He received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts and now lives in Florida. Jerry Craft is the author-illustrator of #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novels New Kid, and its companion book, Class Act. New Kid was the first book in history to win the Newbery Medal, The Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers Literature. In his latest book, School Trip, Jerry hopes to share his love of travel in order to inspire kids and their families to see the world and embrace new cultures. He received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts and now lives in Florida.