The following version of the novel was used to create this study guide: Craft, Jerry. Class Act. Quill Tree Books, October 6, 2020.

In the graphic novel Class Act by Jerry Craft, the companion novel to New Kid, Drew had hoped his second year at Riverdale Academy Day School would be better than his first. He even attempted to make amends with Andy, the school bully with whom he had fought the year before. Andy, however, refused to put their differences behind him. Drew’s search for his place in the Riverdale world, a place he did not feel he belonged, became even worse when he visited the home of Liam, one of his best friends, and realized how different their worlds were.

On the first day of school, Andy and Drew argue verbally after Drew tries to call a truce with Andy. A teacher, Mr. Roche, stops the argument and asks them not to have a repeat of the year before, referring to a fight between Drew and Andy in which Drew was almost accused of being the aggressor even though Andy was the one who started the fight.

Drew is briefly appeased in his dislike of Andy when Andy dresses as the Incredible Hulk for Halloween. Andy’s brother used a dye on Andy’s skin that did not wash off so his skin was green for several weeks. Other students pointed out to Andy the similarities between the kidding he was getting as a result of his skin tone and racism, but Andy never understood the correlation.

Drew’s attempts to fit in are frustrated even further when he and Jordan spend the night with Liam, a rich, White boy. When Drew sees how different the world Liam lives in is from the world in which Drew lives in, Drew wonders how their friendship can ever survive. Drew first avoids Liam for a while. When they begin to speak again, Drew explains that he feels Liam needs to experience what Drew’s world is like at home. He fears, however, that Liam would be afraid to visit his neighborhood.

Jordan suggests that Drew and Liam visit him at his house. Jordan lives in a neighborhood somewhat between Drew’s and Liam’s. Liam enjoys the visit and even fits in nicely with Jordan’s friends at his neighborhood community center. On the way home, Liam’s driver stops in Drew’s neighborhood so Liam can meet Drew’s grandmother and see his apartment. The novel concludes with Liam admiring the view from Drew’s patio. Drew tells Liam he wishes everyone, including people like Andy, could appreciate his view of the city.