Hey, Kiddo

Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction is a graphic memoir by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, published October 9, 2018 by Graphix. The book tells the story of Krosoczka's childhood living with his grandparents while his mother lived with a substance use disorder.

Reception

Reviews

Hey, Kiddo is a Junior Library Guild book.^[1] It received universal acclaim, including starred reviews from Booklist,^[2] The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books,^[3] The Horn Book,^[4] Kirkus Reviews,^[5] Publishers Weekly,^[6] School Library Journal,^[7] and Shelf Awareness.^[8]

Kirkus called the book "[h]onest, important, and timely."^[5]

Writing for Booklist, Sarah Hunter noted, "There have been a slew of graphic memoirs published for youth in the past couple of years, but the raw, confessional quality and unguarded honesty of Krosoczka’s contribution sets it apart from the crowd."^[2]

Kelley Gile of School Library Journal said it was "[a] compelling, sometimes raw look at how addiction can affect families. A must-have, this book will empower readers, especially those who feel alone in difficult situations."^[7]

The audiobook, narrated by Krosoczka and a cast of others, is a Junior Library Guild book.^[9] It also received a starred review from Booklist, who said, "It’s some sort of spectacular... In a production that is meticulously produced and spellbinding to experience, Krosoczka’s challenging childhood becomes a cathartic, captivating friends-and-family aural affair to remember."^[10]

Hey, Kiddo was named one of the best nonfiction books of 2018 by The Horn Book.^[11]

Awards

References