Hey, Kiddo
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Krosoczka, Jarrett J. 2018. Hey, Kiddo. New York, NY: Scholastic. ISBN 9780545902472.
PLOT SUMMARY
In this
memoir Krosoczka describes how his life was as he was growing up. He had been living with his mother when his
grandfather was granted custody of him. As
a small child, Krosoczka didn’t know why his mother wasn’t around until he was
older and learned that she has been dealing with addiction. His mother comes in and out of the picture
while his father has never been around. Later in life, he had the opportunity
to meet his dad and his half-brother and sister. One way that Krosoczka dealt and tried to
escape from his situation was through drawing.
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
In this
graphic novel Krosoczka tells about his life growing up with his grandparents
and his mother not being around much.
Many readers, who might be living with other relatives other that their
parents, will be able to relate to this story.
With the use of the drawing and the color schemes the reader can capture
Krosoczka happy moments as well as the sad ones. The illustrations of his
reoccurring dreams allow to see how much he was affected by his situation with
his mother even though his grandparents were there for him and tried their best
to provide a safe and caring home environment.
In the book, Krosoczka also included artifacts from his past to include
letters and drawings from his mom. He
recognizes that her drawings inspired him to use the talents he had been given
in a productive way. This memoir
illustrates one of many reasons children might not be living with their parents
and the effects it has on them as they are growing up and the rest of the
family. It also demonstrates how even
through a situation like this there is a possibility to rebuild lost
relationships and to forgive and love those who have caused so much pain.
2019
Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Finalist
2018 National
Book Award Finalist
BOOKLIST: “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.”
KIRKUS: “Krosoczka
as an author generously and lovingly shows his flawed family members striving to
do the best they can even as Krosoczka the character clearly aches for more.”
PUBLISHER
WEEKLY: “This nuanced graphic memoir portrays a whole family and tells a story
of finding
CONNECTIONS
Use the
dialogue to create a reader’s theater based on significant events in Jarrett’s
life.
Read other graphic
novels by Jarrett Krosoczka and compare the color schemes used in each:
The
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute. ISBN 0375846832.
Star
Wars: Jedi Academy 4: A New Class. ISBN 1338116649.
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