Hey Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction
Krosoczka, J. (2018). Hey kiddo. NY: Graphix
Hey Kidd by Jarrett J. Krosoczka is a memoir written in graphic novel form. The memoir opens with Jarrett and his grandfather driving to the cemetery then takes us through Jarrett's family history. Jarrett begins by explaining how his grandparents met, married, and had five children. Leslie, Jarrett's mother was the second born. Then he explains how his parents met, but when his father found out about Leslie's pregnancy, he denied it and was out of the picture. Jarrett describes growing up in a house with his mother. He remembers strangers always coming around and Leslie making bad decisions including stealing and drug use. He eventually moved in with his grandparents and starts school. His mother shows up sporadically throughout his life, but is never back to stay. For a long time, Jarrett has no idea where his mother is because his grandparents don't talk about it. Jarrett loves to draw and this is the way he deals with his mother's absence. One day his grandfather, Joe, takes the family to a trip to Disney World and they have lots of fun. But when they return, Jarrett learns the truth about his absent mother. Joe explains that Leslie is a drug addict and the reason she has been gone is because she has been in jail.
When Jarret is older, he starts taking art classes at Worcester Art Museum and loves his comic art classes. During this time, Jarrett's mother gets clean and begins working at a local restaurant. But this doesn't last long and she relapses again. Joe tells Jarret that he ran into his father, but Jarret says he does not want anything to do with him. After eighth grade graduation, that his mother did not attend, Jarret starts high school at a new school, Holy Name. He hates it there and struggles until his cartoon gets picked up by the local paper and he begins to draw comics for the school newspaper. His mother is out of rehab again and has a new boyfriend, Miguel. During this time, Jarrett also finds out his father's name and one day receives a letter from him. Eventually, he decides to write his father back and learns that he has a brother and sister. This news makes him decide to meet his father and siblings. Richard, his father, apologizes for everything and Jarrett starts getting to know him.
When Jarrett graduates from high school, his mother is not there, but when he looks out into the audience he notices that he has all the family he needs. He grew up in a non-traditional family, but realize: "I always wondered who his father was and never quite knew where my mother was. But the entire time? I had two incredible parents right there before me the entire time. They just happened to be a generation removed."
In the Author's Note, Jarrett tells more about his family and getting to know his father's family. We also learn that Leslie died before Jarret's book was published. He acknowledges the sacrifices his grandparents made to get him where he is today. This is an incredible true story about Jarret overcoming the life he was dealt. It shows readers in the same situation that they are not alone and you can survive and fulfill your dreams. The use of pictures and Jarrett's own drawings and letters makes it feel more real and he is honest about the pain and struggle he felt growing up.
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