Hey, Kiddo: A Graphic Novel

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.

Author: Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Publisher: Graphix
Published: 10/09/2018
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.75lbs
Size: 8.60h x 6.10w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9780545902472
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.5
Point Value: 2
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 198847 / Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction


Award: Golden Kite - Honor Book
Award: Yalsa Award for Excellence in Non-Fiction for Young Adults - Finalist
Award: Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Shelf Awareness 10/12/2018
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2018 pg. 169
Publishers Weekly 07/30/2018 pg. 93
School Library Journal 08/01/2018 pg. 86
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2018 pg. 109
Kirkus Reviews Fall Preview 08/15/2018 pg. 77
Booklist 09/15/2018 pg. 46
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2018 - Book Of Special Distinction
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2019 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

About the Author
Jarrett J. Krosoczka is a New York Times bestselling author, a two-time winner of the Children's Choice Book Award for the Third to Fourth Grade Book of the Year, an Eisner award nominee, and the author and/or illustrator of more than 30 books for young readers. His critically acclaimed graphic novel memoir Hey, Kiddo was a National Book Award Finalist. His work includes several picture books, select volumes of Star Wars: Jedi Academy, the Lunch Lady graphic novels, and the Platypus Police Squad novel series. Jarrett has given two TED Talks, both of which have been curated to the main page of TED.com and have collectively accrued more than two million views online. He is also the host of The Book Report with JJK on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live, a weekly segment celebrating books, authors, and reading. Jarrett lives in Western Massachusetts with his wife and children, and their pugs, Ralph and Frank.