J vs. K
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- Pre-Order
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- Expected May 6, 2025
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Created by real-life rivals and #1 New York Times bestselling authors Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft this hilarious illustrated story features two talented fifth graders going head-to-head in a competition for the ages.
J and K are the most creative fifth graders at Dean Ashley Public School (DAPS). J loves to draw and his wordless stories are J-ENIUS! K loves to write and his stories are K-LASSIC!! Both J and K are determined to win the DAPS annual creative storytelling contest or at least get in the top five. And when they find out that they are both entering The Contest, it's the beginning of one of the most intense rivalries the world has ever seen.
It’s artist vs. writer with plenty of shady double crosses as J and K plot their way to the top. This epic match-up from Newbery medal winners Kwame Alexander (The Crossover) and Jerry Craft (New Kid) celebrates comics, creativity, and the magic of collaboration.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Alexander (How Sweet the Sound) and Craft (School Trip) emphasize the importance of nurturing creative expression and healthy competition in this meta illustrated collaboration. J Ennis—a talented cartoonist who loves creating comics for his peers (and the praise that comes with it)—is eager to become the first fifth grader to win Dean Ashley Public School's annual creative storytelling competition. When J discovers that new kid K Wright has a gift for language, he's initially unbothered, especially since K couldn't "draw a straight line if he had a ruler." Then K's rhythmic prose starts winning over J's loyal fans, which ignites between the two a motivating and warmhearted rivalry. After all, there can only be one gifted fifth grader at DAPS—right? Renderings of J's action-packed stories as well as b&w spot illustrations depicting the characters' antics evoke physical humor and classic superhero comics flair. Author's notes are sprinkled throughout the text; while some contextualize narrative decisions and define words, others showcase Craft and Alexander's gentle ribbing and easy camaraderie, directly paralleling J and K's evolving friendship. Ages 8–12. Agents: (for Alexander) Arielle Eckstut, Levine Greenburg Rostan Literary; (for Craft) Judy Hansen, Hansen Literary.
