Terry’s Crew

Entertainer and debut creator Crews and illustrator Thomas (Epic Athletes: Alex Morgan) craft an upbeat graphic novel that draws inspiration from Crews’s childhood, as detailed in an author’s note. Terry, portrayed with brown skin and an infectious grin, is the newest freshman at Rock City Academy, an elite, predominantly white private school. He believes that the new school is his ticket to realizing his big plans: he wants to become a multihyphenate by excelling in science, art, and sports. But his guidance counselor Mr. Montgomery disregards Terry’s myriad passions, and by way of reductive racial stereotypes, tries persuading him to focus on sports (“This isn’t the world someone like you belongs in,” the counselor says about art; “lots of kids like you in the NFL”). Discouraged, Terry withdraws and starts hanging out with a popular athlete who encourages bullying, and he struggles to keep his dreams alive while navigating high school social politics. Using simple but effective facial expressions and gentle swathes of color, Thomas compassionately depicts Terry’s trials and triumphs. Through the protagonist’s refusal to dream smaller, Crews tells a familiar and affecting story of one kid’s determination to find his place in the world. Ages 8–12. Agent: Albert Lee, United Talent Agency. (Nov.)