New Kid

Jerry Craft

Jordan Banks is an artistic middle schooler who finds himself navigating the complex social landscape of a prestigious private school. As he grapples with issues of race and class, Jordan uses his sketchbook to process his experiences and connect with others. He forms an unlikely friendship, confronts bullying, and learns the importance of speaking his truth. This graphic novel masterfully blends humor and heart, offering a poignant look at finding your voice and building confidence in a world that often feels overwhelming.

Jerry Craft

In this powerful companion to the Newbery Medal-winning *New Kid*, Jerry Craft shifts focus to Drew Ellis, an eighth-grade African American student navigating life at the prestigious Riverdale Academy Day School. Through vibrant graphic storytelling, Craft explores Drew's unique perspective as one of the few students of color in an elite private institution, capturing both the humor and the profound challenges of finding belonging in spaces where he stands out. With the same wit, heart, and visual brilliance that made *New Kid* a groundbreaking success, *Class Act* deepens the conversation about identity, friendship, and the complexities of being a young person of color in predominantly white spaces. This is an essential, laugh-out-loud funny yet deeply important story that resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.