Hey, Kiddo is a graphic memoir that details the childhood of Jarrett J. Krosoczka. With a mother that was largely absent from his childhood, and a father whose name he didn't even know for the first seventeen years of his life, Jarrett's grandparents took on the role of mom and dad. And while they had their own faults, they provided Jarrett with the love he deserved. As Jarrett grew up, he found peace through art and continued to pursue a career in the field while facing adversity that no child should ever have to. Along the way to his dream, he built a strong family bond and learned that the people you surround yourself with will always be the best family you could ask for.
This story is told in a unique way, through Krosoczka's own artwork, along with letters, drawings, and other mementos of his childhood. I really cannot recommend this book strongly enough. It is incredible.
From Amazon:
A National Book Award Finalist!
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.
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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