Class Act (New Kid #2) by Jerry Craft - ADVISABLE

Class Act (New Kid #2) by Jerry Craft 250 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Quill Tree Books (Harper Collins), 2020. $23 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Jordan is back for another year, trying to decide whether to stay at the prestigious school on scholarship, or go to art school. But, Class Act is about Jordan's friend Drew. Drew is also one of the few students of color, and like Jordan, is the victim of micro-aggression and racism. When Drew's friend Liam invites the friends over to his lavish home, Drew begins to feel like Liam is a stereotypical rich kid, so Drew distances himself. 

With a lot going on at school, Class Act feels like a set up for a sequel, rather than a companion. There are lots of new characters whose stories don't connect, year end plans that are talked about but don't develop and a plot that is all over the place. Class Act doesn't read as smoothly as "New Kid" did, but if you have it, you'll want to get Class Act, too. 

Lisa Librarian