Jerry Craft

Jerry Craft is an American cartoonist and children's book author best known for his graphic novel New Kid, which won the 2020 Newbery Medal - the first graphic novel to receive this prestigious award. Craft began his career creating the comic strip Mama's Boyz in the 1990s, which ran in newspapers and was later collected into books. His work focuses on authentic representation of African American characters and experiences, particularly in middle-grade literature. His graphic novels New Kid and Class Act follow Jordan Banks, a Black middle school student navigating life at a predominantly white private school. These books address themes of identity, racism, and microaggressions while maintaining accessibility for young readers. Beyond his published works, Craft illustrates for other authors and conducts workshops at schools, teaching children about cartooning and storytelling. He has received multiple awards and recognition for his contributions to children's literature, including the Coretta Scott King Author Award.

Readers consistently highlight Craft's ability to tackle complex social issues while keeping stories engaging for middle-grade audiences. Parents and teachers note the books serve as effective conversation starters about racism and identity. What readers liked: - Relatable characters and authentic dialogue - Humor balanced with serious topics - Art style that enhances storytelling - Accessibility for reluctant readers "Perfect for kids who feel like outsiders," notes one parent reviewer "My students see themselves in these characters," reports a 5th grade teacher What readers disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in early chapters - A few parents thought certain themes too mature for younger readers - Occasional criticism of simplified solutions to complex problems Ratings: New Kid - Goodreads: 4.3/5 (46,000+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.8/5 (5,800+ ratings) Class Act - Goodreads: 4.4/5 (12,000+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.9/5 (2,300+ ratings)

New Kid - A graphic novel following 7th grader Jordan Banks as he navigates life as one of the few students of color at a prestigious private school.

Class Act - A companion graphic novel to New Kid focusing on Jordan's friend Drew Ellis dealing with academic pressure, social dynamics, and racial identity at Riverdale Academy Day School.

Mama's Boyz - A comic strip collection chronicling the lives of a Black single mother and her two teenage sons running a family-owned bookstore.

Raina Telgemeier creates graphic novels about middle school social dynamics and family relationships. Her work shares Craft's accessible storytelling style and focus on realistic experiences of young people.

Gene Luen Yang writes graphic novels exploring cultural identity and belonging in school settings. His works address similar themes of navigating between different cultural worlds and dealing with prejudice.

Varian Johnson writes middle-grade novels featuring Black protagonists dealing with school, family, and identity. His stories tackle serious topics while maintaining humor and relatability for young readers.

Sharon Draper creates stories centered on African American youth experiencing personal growth and confronting social issues. Her work demonstrates similar attention to authentic representation and complex character development.

Kwame Alexander writes books about young people finding their place in school and society through sports and creative expression. His stories blend serious themes with engaging narratives that appeal to middle-grade readers.