Hey, Kiddo: A Graphic Novel

I absolutely loved this graphic novel. Don’t let the cartoon-like cover fool you, it is a coming-of-age memoir filled with quite a few depressing moments. I didn’t notice the full title of the book until I started writing this review. I would say that this is meant for a more mature audience, middle grade and higher. My husband attended college in Worcester, Mass (where the author grew up), so I was always curious about this graphic novel and Jarrett Krosoczka. I love seeing him on his social media posts wearing his Boston Red Sox cap. I think this was a thought-provoking book and it gives an honest presentation of what it’s like to grow up with relatives battling addiction. The book is a great story of perseverance and living your dream. So awesome that J. Krosoczka is making a living doing his dream job, as an author and illustrator. Honestly, I cannot wait to read his next memoir, Sunshine.

My grandson is now a senior in high school. I have raised him since he was 18 months old due to addiction. He is awesome, smart, kind, and talented. This story is very similar to Jarrett's. But my grandson does not want to talk about it. He explained the reason to his therapist: "I just don't care." His mother is on her death bed due to drugs/alcohol. I know "I don't care" is not the same as "It doesn't affect me." It affects us all. It is part of what makes us who we are. We need to make peace with whatever emotions it brings to us--even "I don't care." That's not easy for a young man in high school. I read HELLO KIDDO and hoped my grandson would read it too. I left it on the sofa table hoping he might pick it up on his own. When I finished it, I took it to him and before I could say anything, he says "I am not going to read it." I asked if he knew what it is about and he revealed that he had read the back cover. I left it with him and suggested he consider it because it is a really good book, starts a little slow (if you don't know the background--I heard the NPR interview) but soon picks up. It is basically "our story" -- as I am sure it is for many families. Thank you, Jarrett, for sharing your story in such a readable form. It is a beautiful work. How do we get it read by those who need it most -- the kids suffering through it? It's therapy for the grandparents too!

Good. Fast shipping

Here is my honest review. 1st I never know how to rate an autobiography it’s there life and not a made up story. 2nd I love how it’s done in a comic book like especially since he loved comics and drawing as a kid. 3rd with it being like a comic it was an Easy read. A lot of pages didn’t have writings but had some type of art. 4th in my opinion I would not have anyone under 12 reading this book. In my opinion with him writing about substances a lot if children in my opinion don’t really understand. However, if the child is aware of someone using, as some children are very smart then I might be open to them reading it. In general a good book and would recommend :)

I received a digital ARC of this book in the spring, and I have been impatiently waiting for the official release since the day I downloaded it! I knew about Jarret's history from his incredible Tedtalk, but I was not quite prepared for all of the trauma and drama this man experienced because his mom was a heroin addict. But it is not all heartbreak and sadness, there is hope in knowing things will be ok because he is famous in the kidlit world! From his Lunch Lady graphic novel series to his picture books to the Jedi Academy series and so many more. This book is stunning and watching the creation of it on Instagram made me even more excited about having my own copy. If you have, know, or work with high schoolers, this is a must read, share, give, gift book. If you are an adult? It is for you too. I cannot say enough about how much I was moved by this book and how much I love it.

Such a heart wrenching story. The ending is my favorite part. This book was a required reading in my psych class at UMass Boston and I’m SO glad!

So many things to like. Read it with our adoption book group. It touches on so much that my inner city students deal with. The drawings are great. I want to use this in my literature class with my middle school students in Worcester, the city in MA where the book is based. Now to get a second job the pay for them. I loved the book!

As an educator, Krosoczka's memoir provided me with insight into the heartbreak (and the continuous struggle) some of my students may be feeling when drug addiction is a part of their family. I was immediately drawn in by the storyline, the presentation of the characters, the continuous struggle of the main character to make sense of what his mother, grandmother, grandfather and the other people in his life were saying and doing. Love--hate is a strong theme in this book and not just for the mother. The illustrations--I'm not sure I have words, but having grown up in this time period (actually just a bit earlier), I recognize the dress, what was said, the WAY things were said, and other aspects of this time period and the class culture portrayed. As a result, the illustrations served to make what happened even more real for me. Even though the bulk of the memoir takes place in the 80s-90s--Krosoczka's experience is probably still very real for many of our students.

En inglés. Es una novela gráfica autobiográfica y muy sincera del crecimiento desde que el autor era un niño criado por sus abuelos, ya que su padre está ausente y su madre tiene un problema con las drogas y la justicia. Pese a todos los defectos de los adultos a su alrededor logra desarrollarse e ir resolviendo su relación con cada uno de ellos. Para quien desee realismo tolerable y una historia de superación personal que puede ser motivación para seguir adelante cuando las circunstancias familiares son desfavorables.

Love the art and the story . The way it's written, the story has its heartbreaking and sad moments but ultimately it's an uplifting story. The colors,the illustrations ,the prints all works together well.

Good safe delivery Book itself was captivating with good drawing line, interesting way to forward the story

Un livre profondément humain que je recommande à tout le monde. L'histoire vous accompagnera longtemps.

Me llego roto :(