40 pages • 1 hour read
Jerry CraftSchool Trip
Fiction | Graphic Novel/Book | Middle Grade | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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Authorial Context: Jerry Craft
Jerry Craft, born in New York City in 1963, is an acclaimed American cartoonist and illustrator. He is renowned for his newspaper comic strip Mama’s Boyz and his graphic novels New Kid, Class Act, and School Trip. As one of the few syndicated Black cartoonists in the US, Craft has made significant contributions to young readers’ literature. His graphic novels explore themes of race, class, and belonging, offering insightful commentary with a humorous tone. Craft’s work has earned him widespread recognition and accolades. New Kid was awarded the prestigious Newbery Medal in 2020, marking the first time a graphic novel received this honor.
The character of Jordan Banks in New Kid, Class Act, and School Trip draws heavily from Craft’s own life experiences, creating a semi-autobiographical character. Craft, like Jordan, grew up in Washington Heights and shares many similarities with the character. As a Black man, Craft has also encountered discrimination, a theme that resonates throughout School Trip. Jordan and his friend Maury grapple with feelings of not belonging anywhere due to their skin color. Additionally, Jordan shares Craft’s passion for comics and illustration and aspires to turn his hobby into a career. In School Trip, Craft indirectly references his own success when Jordan’s mother comments that, as a Black kid from Washington Heights, Jordan will never become a bestselling comic artist. The fictional setting of Riverdale Academy Day School is also inspired by Craft’s own high school, Ethical Culture Fieldston School. In an interview with The Horn Book, Craft expressed his desire to depict modern Black Americans’ experiences through his novels, striving for authenticity and representation. He also emphasized the importance of diversity, a central theme explored in School Trip (Sutton, Roger. “Jerry Craft Talks with Roger.” The Horn Book, Inc., 2019).
Cultural Context: Diversity in Paris
In School Trip, Jordan and his friends travel to Paris, France, for a school trip. The city serves as a canvas for the characters’ growth and self-discovery. Here, they learn the importance of embracing cultural diversity and gaining new perspectives. Paris stands out as one of the most diverse cities in Europe. Historically, it has attracted immigrants from various backgrounds, making it a melting pot of cultures. France declared itself a “colorblind” society after the abolition of slavery in 1794, contributing to this diverse landscape. Erik Bleich writes in “Race Policy in France”:
Race is such a taboo term that a 1978 law specifically banned the collection and computerized storage of race-based data without the express consent of the interviewees or a waiver by a state committee. France therefore collects no census or other data on the race (or ethnicity) of its citizens (Bleich, Erik. “Race Policy in France.” Brookings, 2001).
In School Trip, Drew expresses feeling “invisible” in Paris in a positive way—there, he doesn’t feel judged or discriminated against because of his ethnicity, highlighting the city’s acceptance of cultural diversity.
In the 1920s, Paris blossomed as a center of intellectual and artistic innovation, attracting painters, musicians, composers, poets, and writers from across the globe. Black artists, many associated with the Harlem Renaissance, found a home there. France offered an opportunity for jazz musicians to escape racism and pursue success, and Black writers Richard Wright, James Baldwin, and Angela Davis all moved there. In School Trip, Jordan’s grandfather recalls how important Black figures like Josephine Baker, Wright, and Baldwin sought refuge in Paris, where they were respected and celebrated.
