heatherbermingham's review against another edition
5.0
One of the things that always amazes me about middle grade authors is the ability to tackle big issues - in this case, microagressions, code-switching, and even education inequity, just to name a few - in completely age-appropriate ways. Really, really good.
carriebell85's review against another edition
4.0
This was an excellent sequel to New Kid. It's thought-provoking and makes you think of your preconceived notions of how people live. Like Atticus Finch said, To really understand someone, you need to walk around in their skin. This is an excellent graphic novel! Would be a great classroom read.
kaloughl's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun follow up to the hugely successful New Kid. With more detailed illustrations, new characters, and more frustration at school, Jerry Craft gives us what we all craved, more time in the heads of these kids. However, though Class Act made me smile in the same way, it was missing a compelling overarching plot and by switching perspectives between Jordan and Drew, muddied it's intentions. I liked that we got to see more of Drew's inner workings and life and I wish Craft leaned into that a bit more and made the entire book from Drew's perspective (though Jordan's comics with criticisms on race and class are still spot on). I liked the confrontations between Drew, Liam, and Jordan about class and race and how having everything doesn't necessarily make you happy.
Overall, I enjoyed it though it felt more like a comic book-like volume updating us on what's going on rather than a book in it's entirety (which New Kid was). Craft is an amazing artist and storyteller and I will continue to read anything he publishes!
Overall, I enjoyed it though it felt more like a comic book-like volume updating us on what's going on rather than a book in it's entirety (which New Kid was). Craft is an amazing artist and storyteller and I will continue to read anything he publishes!
someonesmom's review against another edition
5.0
Another wonderful book recommended by my son. Jerry Craft spins a wonderful and realistic tale of a black city teen in an upper crust private school. Drew feels like he doesn’t fit in because of his skin color and socio-economic status. This a good story for people of all ages to read.
sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
I received this through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This continuation of the world developed in New Kid stands on its own. While the focus shifts from Jordan to Drew and Liam. It addresses the racial divide that can be found in affluent schools. Instances where the white majority pushes microaggressions against minority students. If you loved the first book, you will be thrilled with the followup. The author has hidden Easter eggs and symbolism, which enhances the opportunities to give the text a detailed look and spend time discussing it.
Honestly, I wasn't a fan of the Easter eggs or symbolism, it felt obvious and corny. I thought that this book could have been more nuanced. I still struggle with the art, objects in the scenes felt like stickers added after the frame was finished. This is all personal preference, because the readers love New Kid and will enjoy this one as well.
This continuation of the world developed in New Kid stands on its own. While the focus shifts from Jordan to Drew and Liam. It addresses the racial divide that can be found in affluent schools. Instances where the white majority pushes microaggressions against minority students. If you loved the first book, you will be thrilled with the followup. The author has hidden Easter eggs and symbolism, which enhances the opportunities to give the text a detailed look and spend time discussing it.
Honestly, I wasn't a fan of the Easter eggs or symbolism, it felt obvious and corny. I thought that this book could have been more nuanced. I still struggle with the art, objects in the scenes felt like stickers added after the frame was finished. This is all personal preference, because the readers love New Kid and will enjoy this one as well.
laleha's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Long overdue and delightful
OK, it has been years since I read New Kid, and I honestly don't remember a ton from it, so I felt like I was starting fresh with Class Act. The reader gets a lot of the same characters, with some new introductions and some characters flushed out more than they were in the first. Craft does a wonderful job depicting friendship between kids with lives that vary greatly from one another and is able to illustrate class and race differences, similarities, and colorism.
There's a great deal of humor throughout, delightful Easter eggs for those who read graphics or are familiar with some contemporary children's/YA authors, but there's also real middle school conflict. Who is growing and who hasn't? How are friend groups being compromised? How can a kid let someone down gently without hurting feelings? When should someone worry about perception versus passion?
The art is colorful, sometimes humorous, and helps move the story. Jordan's comics are still pencil drawings between the color pages of the narrative.
OK, it has been years since I read New Kid, and I honestly don't remember a ton from it, so I felt like I was starting fresh with Class Act. The reader gets a lot of the same characters, with some new introductions and some characters flushed out more than they were in the first. Craft does a wonderful job depicting friendship between kids with lives that vary greatly from one another and is able to illustrate class and race differences, similarities, and colorism.
There's a great deal of humor throughout, delightful Easter eggs for those who read graphics or are familiar with some contemporary children's/YA authors, but there's also real middle school conflict. Who is growing and who hasn't? How are friend groups being compromised? How can a kid let someone down gently without hurting feelings? When should someone worry about perception versus passion?
The art is colorful, sometimes humorous, and helps move the story. Jordan's comics are still pencil drawings between the color pages of the narrative.
agnesjlopez's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
bethgiven's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this follow-up to the Newbery-winning graphic novel, New Kid. This book especially focused on racial issues that have been so much on our minds this year. I was cringing at the problematic ways that the leadership in the school tried to address diversity without honoring actual BIPOC voices, or the attention that was given to the Black kid in school after the kids watched a movie that overemphasized Black stereotypes. Maybe I was cringing because I saw a little too much of myself reflected back at me.
I particularly liked the friendship between Drew, Jordan, and Liam: kids who are genuinely kind to each other and learn from each other's different backgrounds.
The nods to other popular graphic novels on the chapter headings were a lot of fun! I recognized several: Invisible Emmie, Ghosts, Real Friends, Hey Kiddo.
Definitely worth checking out after you've read New Kid.
I particularly liked the friendship between Drew, Jordan, and Liam: kids who are genuinely kind to each other and learn from each other's different backgrounds.
The nods to other popular graphic novels on the chapter headings were a lot of fun! I recognized several: Invisible Emmie, Ghosts, Real Friends, Hey Kiddo.
Definitely worth checking out after you've read New Kid.
resslesa's review against another edition
5.0
I am not the biggest fan of the artistic style as it sometimes seems a bit computer generated, but the chapter titles as parodies of graphic novels and the storyline, with lots of micro aggressions that are there for readers to recognize and hopefully cringe at is sooo good. Also intrigued by all the Easter Egg renderings of amazing ya authors. Kwame is clearly visible but had trouble finding Acevedo, Watson and Thomas and N Stone could be 3 different people.