Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka - OPTIONAL

Hey Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, 300 pages.  GRAPHIC NOVEL  Graphix (Scholastic), 2018.  $25.  

Content: Language: R (49 swears; 3 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH  

Jarrett was born to a teen mother who falls into drug addiction.  Jarrett’s grandparents, Joe and Shirley eventually intervene, and Joe adopts Jarrett.  Jarrett’s grandparents love him but they each have their own quirks and problems, including alcoholism and verbal abuse.  Jarrett sees his mom on and off again throughout his childhood and his aunts and uncles are like siblings.  Jarrett’s unconventional upbringing is something he has to come to terms with, and although his family has it’s share of problems, he realizes that he is loved.  

I loved this book.  It’s a very touching memoir about growing up among addiction and letting people love you the best they can, even if sometimes it’s not perfect.  Jarrett Krosoczka wrote the Lunch Lady graphic novels, but this book is high school and adult because of the amount of content.  The content includes graphics of drug use, creepy/disturbing monster nightmares, bullying and it eluded to sleeping around.  Jarrett’s grandparents fight and there is a lot of crass name-calling.  Also, Jarrett gets his hand stuck in the escalator and it's a bit bloody.  The ending has an author’s note that explains what Jarrett has done since he moved out of his grandparents’ house and it’s a great addition to the story.  

C. Peterson