Class Act

Class Act is a middle-grade realistic-fiction graphic novel written and illustrated by Jerry Craft and first published in 2020. It is the second part of the New Kid series, the first of which was the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Medal. Craft’s graphic novels focus on issues of racism, class, and growing up in America.

This guide utilizes the first edition of the graphic novel (2020).

Plot Summary

Class Act opens as a new school year begins in the Bronx; Jordan, Drew, and Liam are entering eighth grade at the prestigious Riverdale Academy Day School (RAD). Jordan narrates the novel but frames his friend Drew as its protagonist; Jordan himself becomes the deuteragonist (the second most important character). Jordan is Black, but his skin is lighter than other Black people he knows; this is a source of insecurity for him. Drew is also Black, and their friend Liam is white. Liam comes from an extremely rich household, but his parents are emotionally and physically distant. Jordan comes from a modest but stable family, and Drew lives with his grandmother in Co-Op City. Jordan walks to school with his father, feeling as if he has not grown over the summer at all.