Class Act: A Review Of Jerry Craft's Award-Winning Graphic Novel

Class Act is a must-read graphic novel for any young adult looking to make a difference in the world. Written by award-winning author and illustrator Jerry Craft, this book is a powerful story of friendship and resilience that will empower readers to stand up for what they believe in. Through the experiences of two eighth graders, Jordan Banks and Liam Johnson, Craft captures the struggles of navigating high school and family life while finding your own identity. The characters experience moments of joy, despair, courage and acceptance in their journey towards self-discovery. Craft’s vibrant illustrations bring the story alive with emotion and clarity, making Class Act an entertaining read that will leave you feeling inspired.

Table of Contents

Class Act Review

Class Act, the latest graphic novel from New York Times best-selling author Jerry Craft, is an entertaining and thought-provoking tale of two boys navigating the treacherous waters of middle school. With themes of acceptance, friendship, and self-expression, Class Act is sure to be a hit with readers of all ages.

Key Features:
1. A gripping story of two friends navigating the pitfalls of middle school
2. An inspiring message of acceptance and self-expression
3. Beautiful illustrations that bring the characters and story to life
4. A must-read for fans of graphic novels, middle school literature, and diverse stories.

Class Act follows Jordan Banks and Liam Greene as they traverse their first year at a prestigious private school in New York City. Jordan is excited to make new friends and explore the city’s culture, but he quickly discovers the challenges that come with being one of the few African American students at his new school. Meanwhile, Liam must grapple with his own identity issues as he struggles to fit in with his wealthy classmates. Through ups and downs, Jordan and Liam learn valuable lessons about friendship, acceptance, and finding their own paths in life.

This heartwarming story is enhanced by Craft’s stunning illustrations that bring the characters and settings to vivid life. As readers follow Jordan and Liam’s journey through middle school, they will be inspired by its message of self-expression and acceptance amid a backdrop of diverse cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and identities. Fans of Maus, The Hate U Give, or any other classic graphic novel won’t want to miss out on this powerful story!

Product Details

Product	Class Act
Author	Jerry Craft
Publisher	HarperCollins
Publication Date	April 28, 2020
Language	English
ISBN-13/EAN	9780062885504
Format	Hardcover
Pages	224 pages
Age Range/Grade Level	Ages 12 and up

Class Act Pros and Cons

1. Pros

Class Act by Jerry Craft is a hilarious, heartfelt story about two eighth-grade students navigating the everyday struggles of middle school life. With its heartfelt themes of friendship and family, this book has something for everyone. Here are some great things about Class Act:

a) It’s full of laugh-out-loud moments: The main characters, Jordan and CJ, are always up to something ridiculous, from organizing a “pet rock” competition to warding off bullies with their homemade inventions.

b) The story tackles tough topics in a sensitive way: Though they’re only in eighth grade, Jordan and CJ must face some serious issues, such as racism and disability. They do so with grace and resilience, demonstrating that kids can be incredibly strong.

c) It’s packed with positive messages: Throughout the book, Jordan and CJ learn important lessons about standing up for what they believe in and treating others with respect.

2. Cons

Though Class Act has many wonderful elements, there are a few drawbacks to be aware of as well. Here are a few cons of this book:

a) It’s geared towards younger readers: While adults can still appreciate the story’s themes, the humor may be too silly for older audiences.

b) Some plot points could have been explored further: At times, certain conflicts feel rushed or unresolved. For example, we never get to find out how the pet rock competition turns out!

c) There isn’t much character development: While we get to know the main characters fairly well, other characters remain flat throughout the book.

Overall, Class Act is an enjoyable read that encourages readers to think critically about important issues while also having a good time. It’s sure to leave you laughing and feeling inspired at the same time!

Who are They for

Class Act is an immensely enjoyable, award-winning graphic novel about an eighth-grade boy named Drew Ellis navigating his way through middle school. Written and illustrated by New York Times Bestselling author Jerry Craft, this realistic fiction tale of a young Black boy’s struggles to fit in while attending a prestigious private school will capture your heart!

Drew is tasked with all the normal stresses of middle school life: making friends, struggling with academics, and dealing with an overbearing teacher. But he also faces the added pressures of being one of the only students of color at his mostly white school. Drew must find a way to use his wit and cunning to rise above it all and show that he belongs.

This story is full of humor, heartache, and triumph, as Drew navigates the complex world of identity and belonging in a mostly white institution. From its vivid illustrations and thoughtful dialogue to its insightful examination of race and class dynamics, Class Act is sure to be an inspiring read for young readers everywhere.

My Experience for Class Act

“I’m a Class Act, and I know it! I’m the kind of person who takes pride in their work and gives their all. Whether it’s in school or work, I never settle for anything less than my best. And that’s why I’m so proud to have Class Act by Jerry Craft in my life.

This book has been an absolute game changer for me. It’s full of inspiring stories about real-life students who are making a difference in the world, and it’s helped me to understand what it really means to be a class act. The stories have given me ideas on how I can make a positive impact on my community and even the world. Now, instead of just talking about change, I’m actually doing something to help make it happen.

Plus, Jerry Craft is an amazing author with a great sense of humor that makes this book enjoyable to read. He writes with such insight and empathy that you can’t help but feel like you’re right there with the characters he creates.

So if you’re looking for a way to motivate yourself and become a better version of yourself, then Class Act is the perfect book for you! Trust me – it’s been an invaluable tool in my journey towards success.”

What I don’t Like

1. Lack of diversity: There is a lack of diversity in the characters and settings of Class Act, which could lead to some readers feeling excluded or not represented in the story.
2. Limited scope: The book only covers a small section of the educational system, focusing on one classroom of students rather than providing an overview of the whole school system.
3. Unrealistic scenarios: Although the story is intended to be entertaining, some of the scenarios presented are unrealistic and could be difficult for young readers to relate to.
4. Redundant plot points: There are several plot points that are repeated throughout the book and could become tedious for readers who are looking for new information or a fresh perspective.
5. Stereotypical characters: Many of the characters in Class Act have been portrayed in a stereotypical manner, which could lead to some readers feeling misrepresented or misunderstood by the author.

How to Create an Engaging Comic Strip with Class Act

Class Act, the Newbery-Award winning graphic novel from Jerry Craft, is a fantastic tool for teaching young readers about self-expression, identity and justice. It also provides an excellent platform for aspiring comic strip creators to explore their own creativity. Here are some tips for using Class Act to create your own engaging comic strips:

Choose a Topic – Before starting your comic strip, decide what you want it to be about. Do you want to tell a story? Make a joke? Express an opinion? Whatever topic you choose will become the basis of your comic strip, so make sure it’s something that excites you and inspires creativity.

Develop Characters – Crafting characters is essential for any comic strip. Start by giving each character a unique appearance and personality. Then create relationships between them – friends, enemies, rivals or lovers – as they interact within the world of your comic strip.

Design Backgrounds and Settings – When crafting backgrounds and settings for your comic strip, think about how they can help bring out the characters’ personalities and advance the story. You can create different scenes for different parts of your story, or draw upon real-world locations to give your comic strip added depth and realism.

Write Dialogue – Writing dialogue is one of the most important aspects of creating a comic strip. It should be witty, entertaining and fit naturally into the context of each panel. The dialogue should also reveal more about each character and move the story forward in interesting ways.

Draw Your Comic Strip – Now comes the fun part! Use Class Act as inspiration as you draw each panel of your comic strip. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert artist – even simple drawings can convey powerful messages when paired with great writing!

Share Your Work – Once your comic strip is complete, share it with friends, family or classmates! Letting others see your work will give you valuable feedback and potentially open up new opportunities for collaboration.

With these tips from Class Act, creating a captivating comic strip has never been easier! So grab a pencil and get started on crafting your own imaginative world today!

Questions about Class Act

What is Class Act?

Class Act is an award-winning graphic novel by Jerry Craft about a seventh grader named Jordan Banks who dreams of attending art school. The story follows Jordan as he navigates the halls of his prestigious private school, and all the highs and lows that come with being a middle school student.

Who is the intended audience for Class Act?

Class Act is intended for readers aged 8-12 and features themes around self-esteem, diversity, and acceptance. It’s a great way to explore these topics with children in a fun and engaging way.

What kind of awards has Class Act won?

Class Act has won numerous awards including the Coretta Scott King Author Award, the Newbery Honor Award, and the Kirkus Prize. It was also chosen as one of Time magazine’s Best Children’s Books of 2019.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.