In this episode, we are going to get to know how Jerry Craft became Jerry Craft!

I like to rib Jerry and call him an “overnight success.” Jerry’s first full-length graphic novel, NEW KID, published in 2019. And it did what many in the publishing community thought for years was unattainable—it won the prestigious Newbery Medal. THE GOLD MEDAL—for a graphic novel. While the Newbery is quite arguably the most legendary of the book awards, NEW KID also garnered Jerry a Coretta Scott King MEDAL for writing! Truthfully, I lost count as to how many awards stickers Jerry’s book won. NEW KID is such an important book. We follow Jordan Banks and we get to see the world through his eyes, a young Black man who enters a predominantly white private school. Oh, and why is it ironic to call Jerry an “Overnight success”? Well, you’re about to find out!

Let’s get to know Jerry Craft’s Origin Story!