Class Act

Written and illustrated by Jerry Craft

Book #2 in the New Kid series

Drew navigates privilege and friendship at a private school, questioning if hard work is enough.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 11,702 ratings

256 pages· 14,242 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

$22.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Eighth grader Drew Ellis faces the challenge of being one of the few kids of color at Riverdale Academy Day School. Despite working tirelessly, he struggles with the inequities his privileged classmates, like his friend Liam, take for granted. As tensions rise, Drew must decide if he can bridge the gap between them and find acceptance within himself. Can he maintain his friendships, or will the pressures of privilege and identity pull them apart? Discover Drew's journey in this compelling tale of self-discovery and friendship.

From the publisher

New York Times bestselling author Jerry Craft returns with a companion book to New Kid, winner of the 2020 Newbery Medal, the Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Kirkus Prize. This time, it’s Jordan’s friend Drew who takes center stage in another laugh-out-loud funny, powerful, and important story about being one of the few kids of color in a prestigious private school.

Eighth grader Drew Ellis is no stranger to the saying “You have to work twice as hard to be just as good.” His grandmother has reminded him his entire life. But what if he works ten times as hard and still isn’t afforded the same opportunities that his privileged classmates at the Riverdale Academy Day School take for granted?

To make matters worse, Drew begins to feel as if his good friend Liam might be one of those privileged kids. He wants to pretend like everything is fine, but it’s hard not to withdraw, and even their mutual friend Jordan doesn’t know how to keep the group together.

As the pressures mount, will Drew find a way to bridge the divide so he and his friends can truly accept each other? And most important, will he finally be able to accept himself?

New Kid, the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Medal, is now joined by Jerry Craft’s powerful Class Act.

At a glance

Format
Pages: 256
Words: 14,242
Reading age: 8–12
Audience: Middle Grade

Themes & topics

Books about social themes Books about new experiences Books about middle school Books about friendship Books about diversity

Inside the book

A peek between the covers

What readers & critics say

Reviews

“A well-Crafted, visually rich, truth-telling tale for our troubled times that affirms the eternal importance of friends.”

Kirkus

Critic · Starred review

“Craft makes the story honest and believable and presents it as a powerful, if difficult to achieve, real-world possibility.”

Booklist

Critic · 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

Critic · 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 . . .”

Publisher's Weekly

Critic · Starred review

For readers who can't stop at one