2023 ARCHIVE
Graphic memoir exploring themes of addiction, and the power of art
EXPLORE OUR OTHER YEARS
HEY, KIDDO, by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
A graphic memoir exploring themes of addiction and the power of a positive support system
“Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction” by Worcester, MA native Jarrett J. Krosoczka, was a National Book Awards Finalist, 2018, for Young People's Literature. Jarrett J. Krosoczka is a New York Times Bestselling author/illustrator. “Hey, Kiddo” is a graphic memoir that traces Jarrett’s day-to-day life with his grandparents, difficult interactions with his mother, discovering who his father was, and his path to becoming an artist.
About Hey, Kiddo
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 wrestling with the complexities of his family life, and finds a way to express himself through drawing. Later as a teenager Jarrett begins 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.
About Jarrett J. Krosoczka:
New York Times best selling author/illustrator, 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 including Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the “Star wars: Jedi Academy” series and brand new book “ Sunshine” (April 2023), a follow-up to “Hey, Kiddo”.
Jarrett’s Website including videos and activities: https://www.studiojjk.com/about-jjk
Jarrett’s Ted Talk: Jarrett J. Krosoczka: How a boy became an artist
Explore more about Jarrett and his books:
Jarrett's Website including videos, activities, and more
Jarrett’s Ted Talk: How a boy became an artist
Jarrett's new book "Sunshine", a follow-up to Hey, Kiddo, released April 2023
Sara Darrieulat, licensed clinical social worker said:
“Stoneham Reads is in its third year using literature to encourage and inspire compassionate community conversation on topics related to social justice. As a child and family therapist, I am excited about this year's book choice, the graphic memoir Hey Kiddo by Jarred Krosoczka. Hey, Kiddo is a moving example of the resilience within a family impacted by addiction. It approaches the topic with empathy and honesty and I look forward to the conversations it will raise in our community book discussion."