Hey, Kiddo (National Book Award Finalist): How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction

Written by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Narrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Jeanne Birdsall, Richard Ferrone and Jenna Lamia

A National Book Award Finalist!

The powerful, unforgettable memoir from Jarrett Krosoczka, about growing up with a drug-addicted mother, a missing father, and two unforgettably opinionated grandparents.

In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka's teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett's family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and in and out of Jarrett's life. His father is a mystery—Jarrett doesn't know where to find him, or even what his name is. Jarrett lives with his grandparents—two very loud, very loving, very opinionated people who had thought they were through with raising children until Jarrett came along.

Jarrett goes through his childhood trying to make his non-normal life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing even as so little is being said to him about what's going on. Only as a teenager can Jarrett begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father.

Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Release date: Nov 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781338569896

Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as “JJK,” is the New York Times bestselling author-illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award finalist. In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the award-winning, full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. Krosoczka has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions more views online via the comics tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books’ film and television adaptations, Krosoczka has written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video). Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts.

Reviews for Hey, Kiddo (National Book Award Finalist)

[Bidisha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best audiobook ever. Fantastic cast of characters, sound effects and music. Highly recommended.

[Musical3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There was a lot put into this audiobook. Besides the story being well told and written, the audio book has music and various other aspects that make it more engaging. Highly recommend.