Hey, Kiddo
Books | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Biography
3.9
(375)
Jarrett Krosoczka
The powerful, unforgettable graphic memoir from Jarrett Krosoczka, about growing up with a drug-addicted mother, a missing father, and two unforgettably opinionated grandparents.In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka's teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett's family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and in and out of Jarrett's life. His father is a mystery -- Jarrett doesn't know where to find him, or even what his name is. Jarrett lives with his grandparents -- two very loud, very loving, very opinionated people who had thought they were through with raising children until Jarrett came along. Jarrett goes through his childhood trying to make his non-normal life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing even as so little is being said to him about what's going on. Only as a teenager can Jarrett begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father. Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive.
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More Details:
Author
Jarrett Krosoczka
Pages
294
Publisher
Scholastic
Published Date
2018
ISBN
0545902479 9780545902472
Community ReviewsSee all
"This was funny, tear jerking and inspiring. This was the first acknowledgments and noyes that I read fully because I just wanted to hear more about his author. I haven't read much memoirs (this is my first) but I am really excited."
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Jada
"Emotional and funny"
M D
Marooroo Draws
"Wow. What an absolutely incredible graphic memoir. I am always fascinated by graphic memoirs and the heart and soul, time and tears that goes into them. Hey Kiddo is a groundbreaking addition to teen graphic novels that hits on very ugly but very real facts of life with a touch of humor.<br/><br/>Stories like Jarrett’s are the exact reason we as librarians use the terms “caregivers” and “grownups” as opposed to “parents”. Not every child has a picture perfect family with a mom and dad taking care of them, and it’s important to be cognizant of that. I think this is such an important read for adults as well as teens because it can be both a mirror and a window- a mirror for children who have a difficult family life, and a window for adults to see the very real lives that some children are living.<br/><br/>I am so grateful this book exists to help teens realize they are not alone and to encourage budding artists to keep channeling their emotions into art. True art is raw and real and can be uncomfortable, which is exactly what this graphic memoir is: true art."
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Leah Silecchia
"This book is a look into the authors life and the fact he’s a Childers writer makes the book even more heart touching. Fair warning with sensitive topics, this book gives an amazing insight on real situations and an amazing story that leads to a interesting end! I think if your into graphic novels I advise you to read this!"
K r
Kiersten russell
"good book would definetly recommend id you are into sad story books"
V R
Vinny Ruiz
"Fantastically produced audiobook. Kudos for converting a graphic novel into an engaging audiobook.<br/><br/>A moving and poignant story of kid, whose mother suffers from substance addiction. Without any self pity or getting sappy, the book shows how he overcame the odds."
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Santhosh Guru
"This story follows Jarret through his adolescence as he comes to terms with living with his grandparents, his mother’s absence and addiction, and that he doesn’t know who his father is. This was a graphic novel and I recommend that everybody reads it. Even though I have read other graphic novels, I felt like this was more mature. The cartoons weren’t childlike, and the content was less kid-skewed. Because this was autobiographical it was very authentic and felt true to how an adolescent boy would feel. <br/>I really enjoyed this graphic novel. I loved how the muted colors matched the feeling of the book. The use of real-life pictures and letters really brought so much sentiment to the story. It was so lovely to read about Jarret as a young boy with a sketchpad, and see it have a happy ending as Jarret is now a successful cartoonist and author. Books like this are so important because they bring to light the reality that so many kids are dealing with. This graphic novel showed families as they are, messy. Even though Jarret didn’t have a traditional family, and his grandparents were far from perfect, it was nice to see Jarret come to terms with his reality and realize that he is loved.<br/>"
K H
Katie Hensley
"Wow! <br/>I need time to process this amazing graphic memoir, but will be following up with a review soon. <br/>"
L F
Lisa Francine
"The author's note..really made me emotional. This book was phenomenal.<br/>—<br/>Reread #1: This book is just..so touching and you actually feel like you’re growing up with the author. It’s an emotional story for sure, and rereading it was definitely a journey."
R
Raven
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