Each year, Viewpoint School’s libraries host visits from award-winning, notable children’s, and young adult authors. On February 14, Jerry Craft, author, and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling graphic novels New Kid and Class Act visited Viewpoint School, speaking to students in Grades 4-8 at two different assemblies.  

New Kid is the only book in history to win the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature, the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature, and the Coretta Scott King Award. Each year, the Coretta Scott King Award is given to an African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions to literature. The Award was designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue his work and preserve his legacy.

Mr. Craft also met with students from the Middle School Literary Honors Society and Viewpoint’s Black Student Union members.  ​He spoke with students about his background as a comic book artist and illustrator and he demonstrated his drawing techniques. Our Lower and Middle School students enjoyed his humorous, honest, and engaging presentation about the experiences and “steps in the ladder” that led to his success.