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Title: Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction
Author: Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Illustrator: Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Primary Health Topic: Addiction
Secondary Health Topic(s): Grief, Family Dysfunction
Special Considerations: Child Neglect, Drug Use
Publication Date: October 9, 2018
Publisher: Scholastic Graphix
ISBN: 9780545902489
GM Review: N/A
Annotation: Hey, Kiddo is a rare honest gem in middle grade comics in that it speaks to common, but often unspoken struggles: growing up with grandparents, parental addiction, and the cloud of grief that follows many throughout their childhood. The comic follows author Jarrett Krosoczka through his childhood, fighting to come to terms with what life has dealt – raised by loving, but opinionated grandparents, finding his father, (not) understanding his mother’s addiction and cycle of appearance/disappearance in his life, and finding that art is a creative outlet that helps you survive. Illustrated with an almost hazy line and burnt colors, the artwork forces you to confront and feel the story as if you are experiencing it yourself from inside a memory, rather than merely reading it on a page. A vital comic, especially for younger readers who may be living through similar experiences.
Annotated By: Matthew Noe