HEY, KIDDO ~ Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Hey, Kiddo, a graphic novel by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, is a true story about Jarrett’s complicated upbringing. He, like so many of my students over the years, was raised almost entirely by his grandparents. His mother struggled with addiction for much of her life and was unable to be present for many of Jarrett’s significant childhood memories. Jarrett also did not know his father, who wanted no part in raising a baby at the time of Jarrett’s birth. This memoir gives a very real and up-close picture of the pain and confusion a child experiences in a dysfunctional family. However, I love that Krosoczka also highlights the positive aspects of his childhood. He chooses to focus on a lot of good and love. This book will not only be real for many of your students, it will also be an inspiration. Jarrett’s story is one of overcoming obstacles and finding the good in a very difficult situation. 

Buy it here!  

Maturity:3/4This novel contains a lot of information about the harsh truths of living in a family with substance abuse problems. Read p. 54-61 to get an idea of some of this content. On p. 236-238 there is content about underage drinking and using a fake ID. The novel also contains many swear words.

Pages: 299

Lexile: HL510L

Lexile is a score that helps educators and parents match students with an appropriate text. A Lexile score is a measure of both a child’s reading ability and a text difficulty. However, Lexile does not take into account the content of a novel. So, pairing readers with a text is a complex process, and knowledge of a novel’s themes and plot is necessary to make a high-quality recommendation.If you are curious about the grade-level equivalent to Lexile scores, check out the conversion chart here!

♥ Riley & Kara