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Terry's Crew
Actor-author-athlete Terry Crews digs into his childhood in Flint, Michigan, to tell a story of fitting in and finding your place in his showstopping debut middle-grade graphic novel, the start of a series.
“Terry's Crew is a true delight from beginning to end. It's sure to provide a much-needed mirror and sliding glass door for countless kids.” —Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give
“A delightful, powerful, readable retelling of Terry Crews's adolescence. Readers young and old will be captivated.”
—Sharon M. Draper, author of Out of My Mind
"A must read for all those kids who allow themselves to dream in a variety of big ways. Bravo!" —Pablo Cartaya, author of The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora
Young Terry Crews has a Big Dream Plan: He wants to become a MULTIHYPHENATE. That means he wants to be an artist. And a football player. And a musician. And maybe a NASA scientist, too! OK, maybe it’s ambitious, but his parents worked hard so he could go to a new school—Rock City Academy, a prestigious institution (read: rich kids go there) where he’s sure he can make his mark at the talent show. He plans an elaborate performance with his new friends, Rani, a passionate engineer, and Xander, a shy kid with a head like an encyclopedia.
Along the way, Terry’s plan is threatened by his grades, which slip below Mom-and-Dad-approved levels, as well as the schemes of the school’s football star, Rick, who won’t stop until Terry quits the talent show altogether. No matter what challenges he faces, though, Terry knows that he always has his crew to back him up.
“Terry's Crew is a true delight from beginning to end. It's sure to provide a much-needed mirror and sliding glass door for countless kids.” —Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give
“A delightful, powerful, readable retelling of Terry Crews's adolescence. Readers young and old will be captivated.”
—Sharon M. Draper, author of Out of My Mind
"A must read for all those kids who allow themselves to dream in a variety of big ways. Bravo!" —Pablo Cartaya, author of The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora
Young Terry Crews has a Big Dream Plan: He wants to become a MULTIHYPHENATE. That means he wants to be an artist. And a football player. And a musician. And maybe a NASA scientist, too! OK, maybe it’s ambitious, but his parents worked hard so he could go to a new school—Rock City Academy, a prestigious institution (read: rich kids go there) where he’s sure he can make his mark at the talent show. He plans an elaborate performance with his new friends, Rani, a passionate engineer, and Xander, a shy kid with a head like an encyclopedia.
Along the way, Terry’s plan is threatened by his grades, which slip below Mom-and-Dad-approved levels, as well as the schemes of the school’s football star, Rick, who won’t stop until Terry quits the talent show altogether. No matter what challenges he faces, though, Terry knows that he always has his crew to back him up.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published November 8, 2022
5 people are currently reading
1766 people want to read
About the author
Terry Crews
10 books91 followersTerry Alan Crews (born July 30, 1968) is an American actor and former American football player. He is best known for playing Julius on the UPN/CW sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, Sergeant Terry Jeffords on the NBC comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and for his appearances in Old Spice commercials, as well as films such as Friday After Next, Idiocracy, and The Expendables series. He is a host of America's Got Talent.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 31, 2023
When a book reviews itself: "Sheesh, do you hear yourself? You should write a book of corny inspirational quotes." (p. 154)
Aimed very much at children, Terry's Crew is a simplistic story about pursuing your dreams in the face of bullies, racism, and negative words from teachers and parents using only one's unshakable optimism and inspirational declarations. The stakes of the drama are low -- gotta get in that talent show! -- and the ending is pretty pat. It might hold a middle-schooler's attention, but not mine.
Foremost, it was impossible for me to connect giant Terry Crews to his short and scrawny comic book alter ego. That's on me, but a little on Crews for looking like the freaking Hulk.
I found it weird that certain heavy topics -- racism, potential sexual grooming, drug dealing -- are sort of introduced but not fully explored or addressed. In a story aimed at kids, it is really off-putting to have a cool and admired drug dealer hanging out and offering advice. And the comeuppance for an evil guidance counselor is a barely there splash of weak sauce. I appreciate the ambition to cover so much ground, but the resulting balance doesn't work for me.
Aimed very much at children, Terry's Crew is a simplistic story about pursuing your dreams in the face of bullies, racism, and negative words from teachers and parents using only one's unshakable optimism and inspirational declarations. The stakes of the drama are low -- gotta get in that talent show! -- and the ending is pretty pat. It might hold a middle-schooler's attention, but not mine.
Foremost, it was impossible for me to connect giant Terry Crews to his short and scrawny comic book alter ego. That's on me, but a little on Crews for looking like the freaking Hulk.
I found it weird that certain heavy topics -- racism, potential sexual grooming, drug dealing -- are sort of introduced but not fully explored or addressed. In a story aimed at kids, it is really off-putting to have a cool and admired drug dealer hanging out and offering advice. And the comeuppance for an evil guidance counselor is a barely there splash of weak sauce. I appreciate the ambition to cover so much ground, but the resulting balance doesn't work for me.
November 11, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Terry Crews and TBR and Beyond Tours. I'm excited to be a part of this tour.
I am a huge fan of graphic novels and jumped at the chance to read and review this book. I was also a huge fan of Terry Crews in White Chicks. What can I say? I came of age in the era of these types of movies and was hooked on how outlandish they were for the times. But I digress.
I adored this story, and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed learning about all the other things he has accomplished in his life. This book inspired me to think about the other things I could do as well and think it will inspire your middle grader as they begin to negotiate new things.
The honesty in this book is brilliant. The book covers the topic of bullying and making difficult choice with ease and grace, I feel like I have a better understand of who Terry Crews is and not just the Hollywood reputation he had. The book teaches that we can all get through things with the love and support of our families and friends. I love that his big brother had always he back and the reminders he made the right choices for himself.
I highly recommend and hope Terry writes another graphic novel, I want to know more!
I am a huge fan of graphic novels and jumped at the chance to read and review this book. I was also a huge fan of Terry Crews in White Chicks. What can I say? I came of age in the era of these types of movies and was hooked on how outlandish they were for the times. But I digress.
I adored this story, and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed learning about all the other things he has accomplished in his life. This book inspired me to think about the other things I could do as well and think it will inspire your middle grader as they begin to negotiate new things.
The honesty in this book is brilliant. The book covers the topic of bullying and making difficult choice with ease and grace, I feel like I have a better understand of who Terry Crews is and not just the Hollywood reputation he had. The book teaches that we can all get through things with the love and support of our families and friends. I love that his big brother had always he back and the reminders he made the right choices for himself.
I highly recommend and hope Terry writes another graphic novel, I want to know more!
November 10, 2022
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S TERRY'S CREW ABOUT?
Our protagonist, Terry, is a bright, energetic (very energetic) kid with big dreams. Huge dreams. He even has a name for them, and when he speaks, you can hear the capitalization—Big Dream Plan.* He is basically the living embodiment of joie de vivre. We meet him the day before he starts a new Middle School on the other side of town—he's qualified for a scholarship and his parents are hoping this is his ticket to a better life.
* Yes, this is a graphic novel, so you can literally see the capitals, but those around him hear the capitals.
Not that there's anything wrong with the life he has—demanding, strict, but caring and supportive parents. An older brother who always has his back (although he's human and stumbles), who has the same hopes for Terry that he does. He even has a small-time criminal from the neighborhood looking out for him. It's a good life, but his parents still hope that his talents and ambitions can give him a better (read: financially secure and in a better neighborhood).
Okay, that's more space than I thought the introduction was going to take, let's get moving. His new school is dazzling—there's clearly money being spent on all levels here. And most of the students come from it, too. It seems to take Terry a while to figure that out, and when he does, it doesn't seem to phase him.
Terry has a hard time making friends at first but is given a chance to get in with the "in crowd" (I'm sure no one says that anymore, but I'm not going to try to pretend I know what people say), by bullying a kid. It goes well enough, but he feels horrible about it and tries to make things right the next day. This leads to Terry landing a small group of potential friends (including the kid he bullied) and puts him firmly in the "out-crowd."
An extra-curricular group activity proves the perfect outlet for Terry's creativity (which needs a large outlet, the kid cannot stop creating), but it seems to be damaging his grades. His mother puts an end to that—which causes some family tension and forces Terry to be even more creative in his approach to the extra-curricular activity.
Things go on from there—basically, this is about Terry getting his feet wet in a new world of opportunity, learning how to navigate it, making some real friends, and learning to appreciate the support and direction of his parents.
THE TONE OF THE BOOK
Terry's pretty naïve—or at least he comes across that way. He's so caught up in his dreams and the possibilities of the future that he really doesn't seem to notice or understand the harsher realities around him. His big brother does a good job of helping him navigate through this without opening his eyes.
This gives the whole book a similarly hopeful and almost starry-eyed tone and feel. But the art is thoughtfully used to make sure the reader sees the reality—the looks on the faces of characters around him, the changes in the economic status of his environments, the run-down nature of his neighborhood's buildings, and so on. Terry's eyes are on the bright future, but he's living in a very real now, and the art serves well to show that both of these things are true.
It feels like I've already transitioned out of this section into the next, let's make it official:
A WORD ABOUT THE ART
Cory Thomas is a huge part of what makes this graphic novel work. From his capturing the dual worlds that Terry lives into his character designs and the sense of energy conveyed on the page, Thomas really brought this to life.
As usual, I struggle to describe the artwork, so forgive me if any of the positive things I'm trying to say here don't sound positive.
Thomas's artwork isn't polished and full of fine detail—these aren't beautiful panels like you'd get from George Pérez or someone in his school. The penciling and inking are rough, the lines are jagged—they convey an energy, a youth, and a vitality more like Bill Watterson (and the more I think of it, the more I like my floundering here landed on Watterson as a comparison).
The expressions on the character's faces alone make me want to commend his artwork here, from Terry's almost ever-present smile (in various wattages) to the doubt or cynicism depicted on others, these characters pop off the page.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT TERRY'S CREW?
In interviews (and in many of his performances), Terry Crews comes across as someone with an indefatigable optimism, an infectious enthusiasm, and a near-unrelenting positivity. I get the impression that this is a fully intentional outlook on his part and I can't help but admire it. This book encapsulates that outlook and brings it to life in this fictional Terry.
Yes, I wondered if the book ends up being a little Pollyanna-ish in the end, but I think that was the goal—and who doesn't need a little sunshine? I had a lot of fun reading this—I think it's difficult not to. Terry, his friends, family, and others (including the nefarious neighborhood supporter) show that with support, encouragement, and teamwork, small dreams can come true—with the assurance that comes from that. If you can make enough of those small dreams come true, even a Big Dream Plan is possible.
This worked for me, someone decades past the target audience, I'd like to think—and I hope—that this will bring some encouragement into the lives of the Middle-Grade audience, too. I recommend picking this up and putting it in the hands of the Middle Grade (maybe even younger) reader in your life.
---
WHAT'S TERRY'S CREW ABOUT?
Our protagonist, Terry, is a bright, energetic (very energetic) kid with big dreams. Huge dreams. He even has a name for them, and when he speaks, you can hear the capitalization—Big Dream Plan.* He is basically the living embodiment of joie de vivre. We meet him the day before he starts a new Middle School on the other side of town—he's qualified for a scholarship and his parents are hoping this is his ticket to a better life.
* Yes, this is a graphic novel, so you can literally see the capitals, but those around him hear the capitals.
Not that there's anything wrong with the life he has—demanding, strict, but caring and supportive parents. An older brother who always has his back (although he's human and stumbles), who has the same hopes for Terry that he does. He even has a small-time criminal from the neighborhood looking out for him. It's a good life, but his parents still hope that his talents and ambitions can give him a better (read: financially secure and in a better neighborhood).
Okay, that's more space than I thought the introduction was going to take, let's get moving. His new school is dazzling—there's clearly money being spent on all levels here. And most of the students come from it, too. It seems to take Terry a while to figure that out, and when he does, it doesn't seem to phase him.
Terry has a hard time making friends at first but is given a chance to get in with the "in crowd" (I'm sure no one says that anymore, but I'm not going to try to pretend I know what people say), by bullying a kid. It goes well enough, but he feels horrible about it and tries to make things right the next day. This leads to Terry landing a small group of potential friends (including the kid he bullied) and puts him firmly in the "out-crowd."
An extra-curricular group activity proves the perfect outlet for Terry's creativity (which needs a large outlet, the kid cannot stop creating), but it seems to be damaging his grades. His mother puts an end to that—which causes some family tension and forces Terry to be even more creative in his approach to the extra-curricular activity.
Things go on from there—basically, this is about Terry getting his feet wet in a new world of opportunity, learning how to navigate it, making some real friends, and learning to appreciate the support and direction of his parents.
THE TONE OF THE BOOK
Terry's pretty naïve—or at least he comes across that way. He's so caught up in his dreams and the possibilities of the future that he really doesn't seem to notice or understand the harsher realities around him. His big brother does a good job of helping him navigate through this without opening his eyes.
This gives the whole book a similarly hopeful and almost starry-eyed tone and feel. But the art is thoughtfully used to make sure the reader sees the reality—the looks on the faces of characters around him, the changes in the economic status of his environments, the run-down nature of his neighborhood's buildings, and so on. Terry's eyes are on the bright future, but he's living in a very real now, and the art serves well to show that both of these things are true.
It feels like I've already transitioned out of this section into the next, let's make it official:
A WORD ABOUT THE ART
Cory Thomas is a huge part of what makes this graphic novel work. From his capturing the dual worlds that Terry lives into his character designs and the sense of energy conveyed on the page, Thomas really brought this to life.
As usual, I struggle to describe the artwork, so forgive me if any of the positive things I'm trying to say here don't sound positive.
Thomas's artwork isn't polished and full of fine detail—these aren't beautiful panels like you'd get from George Pérez or someone in his school. The penciling and inking are rough, the lines are jagged—they convey an energy, a youth, and a vitality more like Bill Watterson (and the more I think of it, the more I like my floundering here landed on Watterson as a comparison).
The expressions on the character's faces alone make me want to commend his artwork here, from Terry's almost ever-present smile (in various wattages) to the doubt or cynicism depicted on others, these characters pop off the page.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT TERRY'S CREW?
In interviews (and in many of his performances), Terry Crews comes across as someone with an indefatigable optimism, an infectious enthusiasm, and a near-unrelenting positivity. I get the impression that this is a fully intentional outlook on his part and I can't help but admire it. This book encapsulates that outlook and brings it to life in this fictional Terry.
Yes, I wondered if the book ends up being a little Pollyanna-ish in the end, but I think that was the goal—and who doesn't need a little sunshine? I had a lot of fun reading this—I think it's difficult not to. Terry, his friends, family, and others (including the nefarious neighborhood supporter) show that with support, encouragement, and teamwork, small dreams can come true—with the assurance that comes from that. If you can make enough of those small dreams come true, even a Big Dream Plan is possible.
This worked for me, someone decades past the target audience, I'd like to think—and I hope—that this will bring some encouragement into the lives of the Middle-Grade audience, too. I recommend picking this up and putting it in the hands of the Middle Grade (maybe even younger) reader in your life.
January 19, 2023
Library copy
In this graphic novel, young Terry is excited to attend Rock City Academy, an elite private school is his town. He's planning on studying art, playing sports, and generally being a success at everything he does. He has some trouble fitting into the school. He thinks that his student guide, Rani, has befriended him, but then she is absent for days. A popular jock wants Terry to help his group with the talent show, but only if Terry is willing to knock Zander's books to the ground. Terry immediately regrets doing that, and soon apologizes, and Xander, Rani, and Terry form their own group for the talent show. When Terry's grades aren't as high as his mother wants, she bans him from performing in the talent show, but he approaches the teacher and asks if he can be the emcee. There are some bumps along the way, but Terry eventually has a good friend group, and is happy enough in his new school.
Strengths: The art style is a little different than most graphic novels, which is refreshing, but it's not so dissimilar that students won't pick it up. Terry is a likeable character with admirable goals, and his behavior is very typical of middle school students. The talent show preparations help propel the plot forward, and the minor characters add some depth to the story.
Weaknesses: Some of the characters were a little over the top; one teacher is particularly evil, and Xander reminded me very strongly of Richie Rich.
What I really think: This seemed a lot like Jerry Craft's New Kid, but is apparently based on Crews' own life. I apparently haven't followed popular culture for 30 years, because I have never heard ot the author. Not sure if the celebrity aspect will appeal to my students, but since they will read just about any graphic novel, it doesn't really matter.
In this graphic novel, young Terry is excited to attend Rock City Academy, an elite private school is his town. He's planning on studying art, playing sports, and generally being a success at everything he does. He has some trouble fitting into the school. He thinks that his student guide, Rani, has befriended him, but then she is absent for days. A popular jock wants Terry to help his group with the talent show, but only if Terry is willing to knock Zander's books to the ground. Terry immediately regrets doing that, and soon apologizes, and Xander, Rani, and Terry form their own group for the talent show. When Terry's grades aren't as high as his mother wants, she bans him from performing in the talent show, but he approaches the teacher and asks if he can be the emcee. There are some bumps along the way, but Terry eventually has a good friend group, and is happy enough in his new school.
Strengths: The art style is a little different than most graphic novels, which is refreshing, but it's not so dissimilar that students won't pick it up. Terry is a likeable character with admirable goals, and his behavior is very typical of middle school students. The talent show preparations help propel the plot forward, and the minor characters add some depth to the story.
Weaknesses: Some of the characters were a little over the top; one teacher is particularly evil, and Xander reminded me very strongly of Richie Rich.
What I really think: This seemed a lot like Jerry Craft's New Kid, but is apparently based on Crews' own life. I apparently haven't followed popular culture for 30 years, because I have never heard ot the author. Not sure if the celebrity aspect will appeal to my students, but since they will read just about any graphic novel, it doesn't really matter.
December 7, 2022
I am always wary of books written by celebrities. As cynical as it may seem, my first assumption is that there is a ghost writer involved. It's entirely possible that a celebrity can be multi-talented enough to write a book alone, but it's rare that I read something by a celebrity that feels authentic enough that I could buy it was only them working on it. That's not a knock against having a ghost writer. Having a good idea does not always equal being able to singlehandedly execute it. One of my favorite books of all time is Geese Are Never Swans by Kobe Bryant. My issue is when a celebrity attempts to sell the book as wholly their venture - which, of course, the majority do.
These days even prolific writers have ghostwriters (I'm looking at you, unsubstantiated claims that Rick Riordan is no longer actively working on Percy Jackson) and it's an easy cash grab to boost notoriety while taking advantage of a built in fanbase so it makes sense that many celebrities are quick to pump out a book. The celebrity memoir is the new Michael Jackson endorsing Pepsi or Jamie Lee Curtis as the face of Activia yogurt.
The ubiquity of the celebrity 'novel' doesn't mean I have to like it. Still, it's not like I can stop it so my meager fight against the celebrity machine is writing reviews about how mid they are. It ain't much, but it's honest work.
A lot of the charm of Terry's Crew is actually in the illustration which I found rough and tumble in the best way possible. It put the graphic in /graphic/ novel, not in substance, but visually it was very fun and brusque. The characters were easy to delineate, the lines weren't always perfectly straight which added an interesting stylistic flair, and I loved the subtle usage of color to dictate tone.
The story itself was average. It's your typical Black kid with not a lot is an underdog at a ritzy new school where he learns how to combat racism and bullies kind of beat. I eat it up every time because I love seeing Black kids win, however, I will not pretend that in t
his case it's particularly special, different, or especially well written. There are ways to make this set-up unique. Terry’s Crew is content to rely on the fact that this is Terry Crews’ story as the most important differentiating factor. The result is standard, cookie cutter fare.
I will say that I like that Bully!Rick was not redeemed. I don't mind that there is potential for it in the future. I just hate the new wave of bully kids that the main character feels bad for because of their sad backstory so they end up forgiving them even though they don't deserve it and now the bully is their friend after only 2 pages of being decent. I swear, half the middle grade I read this year - and this was stuff released this year - featured this trope. I thought we were moving past harmful turn the other cheek narratives, yet here we are.
I miss one note villains. It's more cathartic when they're beaten in the end, and it's far more realistic that the person doesn’t change after one moment of kindness.
My minor critique is that Rick is supposed to be a minority, but that was not made clear enough to me visually. He's meant to be a parallel to Terry and it would have been better if it was made more obvious that he wasn't a white kid with a tan. I thought it was another textbook case of racism rather than the internalized self hate. The self hate was a better plot point.
Also, this isn't a critique more a commentary - it's really messed up that Terry's mother was willing to withhold her affection for her 12(?) year old because he made a single decision she didn't approve of. It's good that she apologized but boy did it sour me on Terry's mother.
Anywho, I say read it. I had a good time. I always enjoy Black kids getting to be their unabashed best selves without the weight of police brutality or activism or the war on drugs or any of those other super serious topics that lately publishers seem to refuse to let Black people write a book without including. It's an easy, breezy recommendation.
These days even prolific writers have ghostwriters (I'm looking at you, unsubstantiated claims that Rick Riordan is no longer actively working on Percy Jackson) and it's an easy cash grab to boost notoriety while taking advantage of a built in fanbase so it makes sense that many celebrities are quick to pump out a book. The celebrity memoir is the new Michael Jackson endorsing Pepsi or Jamie Lee Curtis as the face of Activia yogurt.
The ubiquity of the celebrity 'novel' doesn't mean I have to like it. Still, it's not like I can stop it so my meager fight against the celebrity machine is writing reviews about how mid they are. It ain't much, but it's honest work.
A lot of the charm of Terry's Crew is actually in the illustration which I found rough and tumble in the best way possible. It put the graphic in /graphic/ novel, not in substance, but visually it was very fun and brusque. The characters were easy to delineate, the lines weren't always perfectly straight which added an interesting stylistic flair, and I loved the subtle usage of color to dictate tone.
The story itself was average. It's your typical Black kid with not a lot is an underdog at a ritzy new school where he learns how to combat racism and bullies kind of beat. I eat it up every time because I love seeing Black kids win, however, I will not pretend that in t
his case it's particularly special, different, or especially well written. There are ways to make this set-up unique. Terry’s Crew is content to rely on the fact that this is Terry Crews’ story as the most important differentiating factor. The result is standard, cookie cutter fare.
I will say that I like that Bully!Rick was not redeemed. I don't mind that there is potential for it in the future. I just hate the new wave of bully kids that the main character feels bad for because of their sad backstory so they end up forgiving them even though they don't deserve it and now the bully is their friend after only 2 pages of being decent. I swear, half the middle grade I read this year - and this was stuff released this year - featured this trope. I thought we were moving past harmful turn the other cheek narratives, yet here we are.
I miss one note villains. It's more cathartic when they're beaten in the end, and it's far more realistic that the person doesn’t change after one moment of kindness.
My minor critique is that Rick is supposed to be a minority, but that was not made clear enough to me visually. He's meant to be a parallel to Terry and it would have been better if it was made more obvious that he wasn't a white kid with a tan. I thought it was another textbook case of racism rather than the internalized self hate. The self hate was a better plot point.
Also, this isn't a critique more a commentary - it's really messed up that Terry's mother was willing to withhold her affection for her 12(?) year old because he made a single decision she didn't approve of. It's good that she apologized but boy did it sour me on Terry's mother.
Anywho, I say read it. I had a good time. I always enjoy Black kids getting to be their unabashed best selves without the weight of police brutality or activism or the war on drugs or any of those other super serious topics that lately publishers seem to refuse to let Black people write a book without including. It's an easy, breezy recommendation.
March 28, 2023
“You’ll be whoever you let yourself be.”
Terry is an energetic lad who aspires to be a multihyphenate - one who has mastery over multiple things. Young Terry lives in Rock City with a laidback father, an over-concerned mother and a sibling who's constantly clouded by self-doubt. He wants to leave his current place for greener pastures and execute his ‘Big Dream Plan’.
Terry enrols in an elite school and excitement runs in his veins to start a new day. Rick Duval, a high school jock bullies Terry to trouble a kid named Xander. When the
student guide, Rani Mohanty knocks some sense into him, he realizes his mistake and apologises profusely. They befriend each other and decide to participate in a Talent Show. But destiny got the better of him and he and his friends had to settle for stage duties.
His ‘Big Dream Plan’ is run down by one roadblock after another by school and neighbourhood bullies. In spite of all this will Terry and his crew overcome all of them and make the Talent show a grand success?
The story was tailor-made for a perfect middle school environment where there's a bully who foils your plans, a group of friends who catalyze your dreams, an older kid who has always got your back and a teacher who always disregards your capabilities. The character of young Terry emulates the multifaceted Terry Crews. I loved to witness him improvise his plan after each one failed.
The story was fast-paced which left very little room to form your own thoughts about it. This book intends to encourage young readers to dream big regardless of where they belonged and have a network of supportive folks who will help them navigate the rocky path.
Terry is an energetic lad who aspires to be a multihyphenate - one who has mastery over multiple things. Young Terry lives in Rock City with a laidback father, an over-concerned mother and a sibling who's constantly clouded by self-doubt. He wants to leave his current place for greener pastures and execute his ‘Big Dream Plan’.
Terry enrols in an elite school and excitement runs in his veins to start a new day. Rick Duval, a high school jock bullies Terry to trouble a kid named Xander. When the
student guide, Rani Mohanty knocks some sense into him, he realizes his mistake and apologises profusely. They befriend each other and decide to participate in a Talent Show. But destiny got the better of him and he and his friends had to settle for stage duties.
His ‘Big Dream Plan’ is run down by one roadblock after another by school and neighbourhood bullies. In spite of all this will Terry and his crew overcome all of them and make the Talent show a grand success?
The story was tailor-made for a perfect middle school environment where there's a bully who foils your plans, a group of friends who catalyze your dreams, an older kid who has always got your back and a teacher who always disregards your capabilities. The character of young Terry emulates the multifaceted Terry Crews. I loved to witness him improvise his plan after each one failed.
The story was fast-paced which left very little room to form your own thoughts about it. This book intends to encourage young readers to dream big regardless of where they belonged and have a network of supportive folks who will help them navigate the rocky path.
November 8, 2022
Terry's Crew by Terry Crews ~ Middle-Grade Graphic novel
Terry's Crew features a young Terry on track to follow his dream of being a "multi-hyphenate" or, in other words, a person who does it all.
Just like the author himself, the main character in this tale comes from humble but loving beginnings. His parents send him to the exclusive Rock City Academy on a scholarship. He makes new friends who are slightly outcasts like himself. He also encounters bullies, racism, elitism, and more.
There are so many lessons to be taken from this quick graphic novel. Most importantly, never give up your dreams, but also there are subtle hints on ways to handle the tough situations in life.
A few themes that stood out to me were:
*Perseverance
*Overcoming setbacks
*Recognizing truth
*Don't believe everyone has your best interests at heart
*Never give up your dreams
*When life knocks you down, find a new way up the hill
*Friends and family are the most important part of a teen's life
I don't read many graphic novels, but I can recommend this one to all readers. Everyone will find a lesson or two pertinent to their situation.
The words are few but meaningful, the illustrations are extremely well-done. The artist manages to capture so much feeling in the facial expressions of the characters.
Please take a look at this book today, if not for yourself, then for a young person in your life.
I received a digital copy of the book from TBR and Beyond Tours. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
Terry's Crew features a young Terry on track to follow his dream of being a "multi-hyphenate" or, in other words, a person who does it all.
Just like the author himself, the main character in this tale comes from humble but loving beginnings. His parents send him to the exclusive Rock City Academy on a scholarship. He makes new friends who are slightly outcasts like himself. He also encounters bullies, racism, elitism, and more.
There are so many lessons to be taken from this quick graphic novel. Most importantly, never give up your dreams, but also there are subtle hints on ways to handle the tough situations in life.
A few themes that stood out to me were:
*Perseverance
*Overcoming setbacks
*Recognizing truth
*Don't believe everyone has your best interests at heart
*Never give up your dreams
*When life knocks you down, find a new way up the hill
*Friends and family are the most important part of a teen's life
I don't read many graphic novels, but I can recommend this one to all readers. Everyone will find a lesson or two pertinent to their situation.
The words are few but meaningful, the illustrations are extremely well-done. The artist manages to capture so much feeling in the facial expressions of the characters.
Please take a look at this book today, if not for yourself, then for a young person in your life.
I received a digital copy of the book from TBR and Beyond Tours. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
March 6, 2023
It's so cool to read a book made by an actor that played in a show that I used to watch all the time (Everybody Hates Chris).
November 9, 2022
Loved this graphic novel!
Terry is such a likable character- passionate about his dream, and willing to work for it!
His resilience will inspire you, and I love the friends he finds on his journey.
This is an engaging and inspiring middle school graphic novel.
Terry is such a likable character- passionate about his dream, and willing to work for it!
His resilience will inspire you, and I love the friends he finds on his journey.
This is an engaging and inspiring middle school graphic novel.
May 26, 2023
From the ultimate multihyphenate (that means a person with several professions or skills) Terry Crews, comes an original graphic novel story based on the actor's childhood in Flint, Michigan.
First of all, let me say that I love Terry Crews. I've been a fan of his since he played the dad on Everybody Hates Chris. He was brilliant as detective Terry Jeffords on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. And I was thrilled that he was named the host of America's Got Talent (and it's recent bunch of spin-offs). Terry Crews just seems like a legitimate guy that cares about people. He'd be one of those people that I would love to have a dinner party with...
In Terry's Crew, we see Terry about to begin the school year at a prestigious institution called Rock City Academy. Terry won a lottery to get to attend the school which contains a student body comprised of mostly rich kids. Terry's mom and dad have put a ton of pressure on Terry to maintain good grades while at the school. But that's okay because Terry has a plan for many great things to accomplish when he gets older and he'll need those good grades to achieve those dreams.
Terry hopes to use his artistic gifts to earn some new friends. Together with the forceful but determined Rani and shy genius Xander, Terry thinks he's got what it takes to create the best act for the Rock City Academy talent show. Unfortunately, there's a bully who wants to win the show just as bad as Terry does and is willing to intimidate the new student to drop out of the competition. If Terry stays in the lineup, the villain will reveal a humiliating secret to the whole school.
Meanwhile, Terry's guidance counselor is trying to steer him to join the school football team. Terry's interested in doing that, eventually. But for now, Terry wants to explore the arts, which are his passion. it's going to be hard for Terry to stick to his vision quest as the advisor is doing everything in his power to point out that Terry doesn't come from the right socio-economic background to be a great artist. Instead, the so-called school leader is doing everything he can to pigeonhole Terry to staying in his lane and become just another colored jock.
You know, the real villain in this book is not the bully. It's the guidance counselor! The school advisor is the one pushing the bully, who's also a student of color, to be an over-achieving athlete. Plus the teacher is also pushing the bully to get Terry to join the football team as some kind of sick rite of passage.
I wish I could say that I don't work with such educators but I do. It's far too easy to just look at the shell of the students we have and just refuse to dig further into the surface. Teaching Culinary, I often have students who claim that they'll never get a job in the restaurant industry. I just smile and think of how being a Chef was the one career my mom refused to let me pursue and yet one day fate intervened. So, I really try not to push them with their career choices. I just hope that I am teaching my kids that someone supports them when it looks like the whole world is going against them.
My biggest complaint about this book was that it felt a little long. But I get the impression that this book might have been the frame work for a whole series of graphic novels for kids based on Terry Crews' childhood. So it might have just been that the introductions were a little slow going.
I'm really intrigued by the character of Emilio. He's fully in support of Terry being the best Terry there is. Yet, there's something mysterious about him Terry's dad thinks Emilio is bad news. But I am hoping that in reality Emilio had to drop out of school to support his family or something like that and not in reality be a drug dealer or thug like this story wants you to believe.
The artwork for Terry's Crew is by graphic designer and illustrator Cory Thomas. If you are a fan of the more modern Archie books, you're probably familiar with his name. Thomas's art style is lifelike and expressive with an attention to fashion. That's more than likely due to the excessive number of hats he claims ownership to in the artist's biography at book's end.
I really do hope Terry Crews along with Cory Thomas see success with this late 2022 graphic novel. It really feels like that the potential for other books in the series is within this book. It has a great message without sugarcoating the reality that not everyone who is supposed to have children's best interests at heart really do.
If you are a fan of Terry Crews then you know that he's a celebrity with a wholesome image. And it's one that I believe is genuine. If you adults out like Terry Crews then you should have no problem sharing Terry's Crew with the young readers in your life.
First of all, let me say that I love Terry Crews. I've been a fan of his since he played the dad on Everybody Hates Chris. He was brilliant as detective Terry Jeffords on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. And I was thrilled that he was named the host of America's Got Talent (and it's recent bunch of spin-offs). Terry Crews just seems like a legitimate guy that cares about people. He'd be one of those people that I would love to have a dinner party with...
In Terry's Crew, we see Terry about to begin the school year at a prestigious institution called Rock City Academy. Terry won a lottery to get to attend the school which contains a student body comprised of mostly rich kids. Terry's mom and dad have put a ton of pressure on Terry to maintain good grades while at the school. But that's okay because Terry has a plan for many great things to accomplish when he gets older and he'll need those good grades to achieve those dreams.
Terry hopes to use his artistic gifts to earn some new friends. Together with the forceful but determined Rani and shy genius Xander, Terry thinks he's got what it takes to create the best act for the Rock City Academy talent show. Unfortunately, there's a bully who wants to win the show just as bad as Terry does and is willing to intimidate the new student to drop out of the competition. If Terry stays in the lineup, the villain will reveal a humiliating secret to the whole school.
Meanwhile, Terry's guidance counselor is trying to steer him to join the school football team. Terry's interested in doing that, eventually. But for now, Terry wants to explore the arts, which are his passion. it's going to be hard for Terry to stick to his vision quest as the advisor is doing everything in his power to point out that Terry doesn't come from the right socio-economic background to be a great artist. Instead, the so-called school leader is doing everything he can to pigeonhole Terry to staying in his lane and become just another colored jock.
You know, the real villain in this book is not the bully. It's the guidance counselor! The school advisor is the one pushing the bully, who's also a student of color, to be an over-achieving athlete. Plus the teacher is also pushing the bully to get Terry to join the football team as some kind of sick rite of passage.
I wish I could say that I don't work with such educators but I do. It's far too easy to just look at the shell of the students we have and just refuse to dig further into the surface. Teaching Culinary, I often have students who claim that they'll never get a job in the restaurant industry. I just smile and think of how being a Chef was the one career my mom refused to let me pursue and yet one day fate intervened. So, I really try not to push them with their career choices. I just hope that I am teaching my kids that someone supports them when it looks like the whole world is going against them.
My biggest complaint about this book was that it felt a little long. But I get the impression that this book might have been the frame work for a whole series of graphic novels for kids based on Terry Crews' childhood. So it might have just been that the introductions were a little slow going.
I'm really intrigued by the character of Emilio. He's fully in support of Terry being the best Terry there is. Yet, there's something mysterious about him Terry's dad thinks Emilio is bad news. But I am hoping that in reality Emilio had to drop out of school to support his family or something like that and not in reality be a drug dealer or thug like this story wants you to believe.
The artwork for Terry's Crew is by graphic designer and illustrator Cory Thomas. If you are a fan of the more modern Archie books, you're probably familiar with his name. Thomas's art style is lifelike and expressive with an attention to fashion. That's more than likely due to the excessive number of hats he claims ownership to in the artist's biography at book's end.
I really do hope Terry Crews along with Cory Thomas see success with this late 2022 graphic novel. It really feels like that the potential for other books in the series is within this book. It has a great message without sugarcoating the reality that not everyone who is supposed to have children's best interests at heart really do.
If you are a fan of Terry Crews then you know that he's a celebrity with a wholesome image. And it's one that I believe is genuine. If you adults out like Terry Crews then you should have no problem sharing Terry's Crew with the young readers in your life.
December 31, 2022
When I think of Terry Crews, I think of the big muscled former footballer that has starred in the likes of The Expendables and Brooklyn Nine-Nine and hosted America’s Got Talent. I don’t necessarily think of the other part of his “multi-hyphenate” title, author. However, that’s all going to change in the future because Terry Crews proves his writing chops and creative brilliance in his middle-grade graphic novel debut Terry’s Crew. A story filled with humor and heart, readers of all ages will see themselves reflected in some part of the story and connect to the overall themes of the book.
Terry’s Crew is a loose fictionalization of Terry Crews’ childhood, and it was an honest and impactful read. The story focuses mainly on Terry’s time at the new Rock City Academy and all of the new opportunities and experiences that offer him. It captured the struggles of that age period, like having adults in your life that don’t understand the scopes of your dreams and the constant fight to fit in and find your place in the world. It doesn’t shrug away from some of the bigger issues either, like elitism, racism, and bullying. Terry’s character does struggle with the more unpleasant experiences, but thankfully he has his friends Xander and Rani, his older brother, and street-smart friend Emilio to help him get through it.
The illustrator, Cory Thomas, did a great job with the art style of the book. I loved the vibrant colors, the expressive reactions on the character’s faces, and the way the pictures were able to show what was happening in any given scene without relying on the words to guide readers.
Overall, a fantastic entertaining book. When reading the author’s note at the end, I think Terry Crews did a great job in achieving his goal of “inspiring readers to keep going, even when things don’t feel like they are working out”. If you or a young reader in your life enjoy humorous and impactful graphic novel reads, then this would be a great addition to your to-be-read (TBR) list.
Thank you to the author Terry Crews, the publisher LB Kids, and the team at TBR and Beyond Tours for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Terry’s Crew immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.
Terry’s Crew is a loose fictionalization of Terry Crews’ childhood, and it was an honest and impactful read. The story focuses mainly on Terry’s time at the new Rock City Academy and all of the new opportunities and experiences that offer him. It captured the struggles of that age period, like having adults in your life that don’t understand the scopes of your dreams and the constant fight to fit in and find your place in the world. It doesn’t shrug away from some of the bigger issues either, like elitism, racism, and bullying. Terry’s character does struggle with the more unpleasant experiences, but thankfully he has his friends Xander and Rani, his older brother, and street-smart friend Emilio to help him get through it.
The illustrator, Cory Thomas, did a great job with the art style of the book. I loved the vibrant colors, the expressive reactions on the character’s faces, and the way the pictures were able to show what was happening in any given scene without relying on the words to guide readers.
Overall, a fantastic entertaining book. When reading the author’s note at the end, I think Terry Crews did a great job in achieving his goal of “inspiring readers to keep going, even when things don’t feel like they are working out”. If you or a young reader in your life enjoy humorous and impactful graphic novel reads, then this would be a great addition to your to-be-read (TBR) list.
Thank you to the author Terry Crews, the publisher LB Kids, and the team at TBR and Beyond Tours for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Terry’s Crew immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.
November 2, 2022
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
📖 love graphic novels
🌟 believe you’re capable of anything
🥊 have ever been bullied
🧑🏾🎨 enjoy creating art
• 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄
Terry is smart, that’s why he’s attending the Rock City Academy. As he navigates his way around this new school, Terry will have some tough choices to make.
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Terry Crews is going to be a multihyphenate, aka someone who does it all! He has big dreams, that’s why he’s attending Rock City Academy, where the brightest students go to achieve their goals. As Terry navigates his new school, he’ll make new friends (and enemies) as he tries to succeed in every possible way. When Mr. Montgomery suggests Terry join the talent show, he puts his all into it, only to find a bully standing in his way. Will Terry and his new friends overcome the bully or let him walk all over them and their plans?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
I loved this story! First of all, I’m a huge fan of Terry Crews (White Chicks, anyone?!) and so I knew I would love his graphic novel. Secondly, Terry really has gone on to do all of the things! This story is very inspiring for all ages. I loved how real Terry felt. His home life and his school life were right on point. He had to deal with bullies and tough choices. But through it all, he has loving parents and a big brother who has his back. He made the right choices, and I can see middle schoolers and older kids getting a lot out of this story! I can’t wait to see what Terry writes for us next!
📖 love graphic novels
🌟 believe you’re capable of anything
🥊 have ever been bullied
🧑🏾🎨 enjoy creating art
• 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄
Terry is smart, that’s why he’s attending the Rock City Academy. As he navigates his way around this new school, Terry will have some tough choices to make.
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Terry Crews is going to be a multihyphenate, aka someone who does it all! He has big dreams, that’s why he’s attending Rock City Academy, where the brightest students go to achieve their goals. As Terry navigates his new school, he’ll make new friends (and enemies) as he tries to succeed in every possible way. When Mr. Montgomery suggests Terry join the talent show, he puts his all into it, only to find a bully standing in his way. Will Terry and his new friends overcome the bully or let him walk all over them and their plans?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
I loved this story! First of all, I’m a huge fan of Terry Crews (White Chicks, anyone?!) and so I knew I would love his graphic novel. Secondly, Terry really has gone on to do all of the things! This story is very inspiring for all ages. I loved how real Terry felt. His home life and his school life were right on point. He had to deal with bullies and tough choices. But through it all, he has loving parents and a big brother who has his back. He made the right choices, and I can see middle schoolers and older kids getting a lot out of this story! I can’t wait to see what Terry writes for us next!
June 3, 2022
I received and ARC of this from the publisher.
Terry wants to be a multihyphenate/Renaissance person aka a person with many varied interests and achievements. A very ambitious and passionate kid, Terry gets into Rock City Academy to find not everyone is as supportive as his family. I loved a lot of things about this book from one of my favorite actors. In its small pages, it discusses class and race (without calling them by name), how to tackle ambition without becoming overwhelmed, how to deal with bullies without becoming one yourself, how to make new friends, how to build a team, and many more life lessons in a fun and entertaining manner. What I liked most is throughout the book, a lot of things are implied in an general enough manner that the reader can relate to Terry even if they haven’t had his direct experience. I really hope this turns into a graphic novel series as I can definitely see all the interesting and fun ways the characters can learn and grow.
Terry wants to be a multihyphenate/Renaissance person aka a person with many varied interests and achievements. A very ambitious and passionate kid, Terry gets into Rock City Academy to find not everyone is as supportive as his family. I loved a lot of things about this book from one of my favorite actors. In its small pages, it discusses class and race (without calling them by name), how to tackle ambition without becoming overwhelmed, how to deal with bullies without becoming one yourself, how to make new friends, how to build a team, and many more life lessons in a fun and entertaining manner. What I liked most is throughout the book, a lot of things are implied in an general enough manner that the reader can relate to Terry even if they haven’t had his direct experience. I really hope this turns into a graphic novel series as I can definitely see all the interesting and fun ways the characters can learn and grow.
read-comix
January 6, 2023If you know Terry Crews, you know he does it all. This middle grade graphic novel is based on his childhood.
Young Terry wants to become a MULTIHYPHENATE. That means he wants to be an artist. And a football player. And a musician. And maybe a NASA scientist, too.
He starts at a new school, he makes new friends (and enemies), and learns a lot about himself along the way.
I loved the trio he makes with his new friends. Rani is a passionate engineer, and Xander is a shy kid with a head like an encyclopedia. I’d love to see more of their adventures together. I also enjoyed the roles his parents and brother played in his life, and seeing their love and support for each other.
Overall, it was a very positive and uplifting story, and I think so many kiddos will resonate with Terry.
———
Rep: Black MC
CW: bullying
Young Terry wants to become a MULTIHYPHENATE. That means he wants to be an artist. And a football player. And a musician. And maybe a NASA scientist, too.
He starts at a new school, he makes new friends (and enemies), and learns a lot about himself along the way.
I loved the trio he makes with his new friends. Rani is a passionate engineer, and Xander is a shy kid with a head like an encyclopedia. I’d love to see more of their adventures together. I also enjoyed the roles his parents and brother played in his life, and seeing their love and support for each other.
Overall, it was a very positive and uplifting story, and I think so many kiddos will resonate with Terry.
———
Rep: Black MC
CW: bullying
May 8, 2023
On the whole, this is a pretty sweet book -- about not being a jerk, about letting bullying roll off of you, about being a positive force in order to achieve the things you are interested in doing. I don't exactly know what bothers me about it -- the crap behavior of the adults? The way everyone kind of treats Terry as though he is inherently special because he tells them he is? I mean, it's kind of a cool superpower, but it's also a weirdly unresolved thing that he goes to the expensive school and his brother does not. And he talks his way out of trouble in a way that others aren't successful at -- it's kind of like a mini-cult of celebrity and that is weirdly 100% the opposite of what the book says it's about -- it says it's about finding your friends. Eh, I can't really put my finger on it, but the book on the whole is good.
November 18, 2023
2 stars (It was okay)
This one just wasn't for me.
I felt like the reader is just thrown into the story at the beginning and it takes a bit to try to figure out what is going on. Then the rest of the story is just kind of boring. Like the main character is dealing with issues but you don't really feel the drama because the stakes aren't that high and you just know everything is going to work out.
The older neighbor friend, Emilio, creeps me out. Like are they trying to insinuate that he is a drug dealer? The guidance counselor's motivation is hard to understand too. Like he's trying to encourage these minority students but also not and also pit them against each other?
Like I said, just not for me.
This one just wasn't for me.
I felt like the reader is just thrown into the story at the beginning and it takes a bit to try to figure out what is going on. Then the rest of the story is just kind of boring. Like the main character is dealing with issues but you don't really feel the drama because the stakes aren't that high and you just know everything is going to work out.
The older neighbor friend, Emilio, creeps me out. Like are they trying to insinuate that he is a drug dealer? The guidance counselor's motivation is hard to understand too. Like he's trying to encourage these minority students but also not and also pit them against each other?
Like I said, just not for me.
February 12, 2023
I finished this a week ago and I forgot to add this to my Goodreads :(
Terry's Crew is a great graphic novel and a well-rounded story about Terry who has a lot of ambition and aspirations. Despite the many people who try to knock some realism into him, Terry pays no mind to them. There's a wide cast of characters from the supporters to the haters. From a writing point of view, I really liked how the "well-meaning" teacher was portrayed. There are nuances to him and I am surprised to see that in a graphic novel since there is less pages/time for character development.
I love the word "MULTIHYPHENATE" as used in the summary, it is something I relate to 100%.
Terry's Crew is a great graphic novel and a well-rounded story about Terry who has a lot of ambition and aspirations. Despite the many people who try to knock some realism into him, Terry pays no mind to them. There's a wide cast of characters from the supporters to the haters. From a writing point of view, I really liked how the "well-meaning" teacher was portrayed. There are nuances to him and I am surprised to see that in a graphic novel since there is less pages/time for character development.
I love the word "MULTIHYPHENATE" as used in the summary, it is something I relate to 100%.
July 19, 2023
Young Terry is a bright and ambitious boy who wants to become many things including an artist, a football player, a scientist. He is starting at a new prestigious school called Rock City Academy. He encounters roadblocks - bully and an inappropriate, racist guidance counselor. He finds friends, learns who to trust and overcomes his fears. There are some good values explored: perseverance, handling adversity and setbacks, following your dreams, and the importance of friends and family. I'm appalled that the guidance counselor isn't fired as part of the story arc; perhaps that will happen in a sequel.
February 26, 2024
Terry’s Crew intended audience is people of an African American background. Terry’s Crew Lexile level is N/A right now, but it is intended for grades 3rd through 7th. This book is about Terry Crews who has a dream of being a multihyphenate, which is someone with many professions and skills. Terry struggles to make his dream come true because his grades start to slip in school, and someone is trying to make him drop out of the talent show. This book is good for the classroom because it will show students that you can have many dreams and do not let anything stop you from getting where you need to be and reaching your dreams.
January 1, 2023
A fantastic comic novel that takes us back to when Terry was younger. Terry has not changed a bit, always looking for ways to make a difference, and cares about others. We get a glimpse into Terry's childhood in this comic; he was bullied, but that never stopped him from dreaming big and achieving his goals. While he was scared of dealing with bullies, his big heart allowed him to convince those bullies that their actions were wrong. He never judged anyone but saw the good people have regardless of the life they lived.
July 30, 2025
This was a super cute book and I really enjoyed reading it. The ending was slightly abrupt - who the "hustler" guy was (throughout) and why the dad didn't like him, if big brother ever got his bike, what happened to Rick and also the crew - but very cute last page highlighting the differences between the brothers and importance of keeping the faith.
November 13, 2022
a quick and enjoyable read, i really had a lot of fun with this book! terry is such a fun lead to follow and i think him and his friends make a great trio. the way he navigates conflict is great and his support system, i want it, lol
Read
December 13, 2022Dig into Terry Crews' childhood in Flint, MI for a story of fitting in and finding your place in his debut middle grade graphic novel, TERRY'S CREW, written along with Cory Thomas.
Read the full review on Booktrib.com
Read the full review on Booktrib.com
Read
May 27, 2023I like the illustrations, and it's a good enough piece of representation, but it's not the most compelling of the fish-out of water graphic novels. Book Terry is less compelling than Brooklyn 99 Terry for sure.
November 5, 2023
This was meh. I think kids would enjoy it but as an adult, it was mediocre. Terry Crews writes about some of his childhood experiences in graphic novel format. It’s pretty typical storylines and average writing.
December 30, 2025
I love this book. i love how encouraging it is for kids of all backgrounds, all colors to know that they can be and do more than the stereotype careers or hobbies for their age or for there ethnicity or background.
November 4, 2022
Full review on Nerds & Beyond: https://www.nerdsandbeyond.com/2022/1...
Read
February 5, 2023shout out to terry crews for showing up to our office and signing books lmao
April 5, 2023
Great book Terry. My kids are going to love it!
June 18, 2023
Elementary graphic novel. Good messages
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