The writer and illustrator Jerry Craft won this year’s John Newbery Medal for “New Kid,” the first graphic novel to receive the prize for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature.

“New Kid” is about a 12-year-old boy named Jordan who lives in New York City’s Washington Heights and dreams of going to art school, but his parents instead enroll him in a prestigious private school where he is one of the few students of color. Published by HarperCollins, “New Kid” marks a shift from Craft’s previously self-published work and reflects changing attitudes about the literary merits of graphic novels.

“The Undefeated,” illustrated by Kadir Nelson and written by Kwame Alexander, won the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children. An ode to African-American life and accomplishments, it includes references to slavery, the civil rights movements and black heroes such as Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks and others.

“New Kid” and “The Undefeated” both received Coretta Scott King awards, which recognize African-American authors and illustrators. “The Undefeated” was also named a Newbery Honor Book along with three others: “Scary Stories for Young Foxes,” written by Christian McKay Heidicker and illustrated by Junyi Wu; “Other Words for Home,” by Jasmine Warga; and “Genesis Begins Again,” by Alicia D. Williams. Alexander had previously won the Newbery Medal for his novel “The Crossover” in 2015.