Hey, Kiddo
Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosozcka
Reviewed by L. Maffucci, M. McCormack, E. Molina, & S. Mesa
Hey Kiddo – taken from Amazon.com
Review:
Photographs of Jarrett J. Krosoczka's family. His grandparents, Joe and Shirley, who raised him, are in the middle photograph. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
In terms of illustration, this graphic novel is unique in its artistry in that all, with the exception of one piece in the novel, are authentic illustrations. He talks about family histories and uses real-life examples when doing so. Featuring letters from his mother while in jail, her artwork, his own artwork throughout the ages, as well as family photographs and little notes that usually are forgotten, Krosocska creates a sense of reality. By including these images, it brings the reader even closer to the characters, feeling every moment of happiness, anger, frustration, confusion, and love, just as much as he did.
The importance of books like this being out there can never be overstated because these realities are shared experiences, not just one case scenarios. Far too often students are left out from engagement in classrooms because not everyone can identify with the course materials typically taught. Even for individuals who have not encountered the tribulations of addiction or are not familiar with generational traumas, this book is definitely worth a read as it provides an insight to how individuals navigate the world while growing up amongst other seemingly “normal” beings. This story reflects life itself in its imperfection and beauty. Through resilience and creating meaning through passions and relationships, it encompasses his ultimate message: no matter your background or upbringing, you have a choice in what you want your life to be.
Biography:
Jarrett J. Krosoczka – taken from Scholastic.org
Jarrett J. Krosoczka, a New York Times bestselling author, overcomes obstacles throughout his childhood while advocating for the use of art as a survival mechanism. He has written over thirty books, many of them graphic novels. His graphic novel, Hey, Kiddo, is a personal memoir about his life. It details his struggles with his home life and how his drawing got him through the tough times. Krosoczka’s mother is a heroin addict while his father is unknown to him. Therefore, Krosozcka’s difficult but loving grandparents are given custody of him. His father remains a mystery until Krosoczka sees his birth certificate and then proceeds to meet his father and his half- siblings. Leslie, Krosoczka’s mother, comes in and out of his life due to the addiction that causes her to be in various rehabilitation centers, halfway houses, and jail. After he enters college, Krosoczka and his mother begin to develop a relationship and she even gets to meet his first two kids before she starts using heroin again, causing more trouble for herself. Through all of the chaos, Krosoczka is thankful that he had art. He says, “When I created art, I was fully in charge of the world that I was involved with whereas, in the actual world, I had no say and no control” (heykiddobook.com). Art took Krosoczka away from all the trouble and addiction surrounding his life. Jarrett K. Krosoczka is a two-time winner of the Children’s Choice Book Award for the Third to Fourth Grade Book of the Year. He is an Eisner award nominee and has given two TED talks. Some works of his are volumes of Star Wars: Jedi Academy, the Lunch Lady graphic novels, the Platypus Police Squad novel series, and of course, Hey, Kiddo. Jarrett J. Krosoczka is the host of The Book Report with JJK on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live. It is a weekly segment where he talks about books as well as their authors and the topic of reading. Krosoczka lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Gina. They have three kids together, Zoe, Lucia, and Xavier as well as two pugs, Ralph and Frank.
Instructional Resources:
Instructional Activity:
- Analyze various accounts of a subject told in different mediums (e.g., a person’s life story in both print and multimedia), determining which details are emphasized in each account.
- Read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 9–10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
- Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
- Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
Resources and Preparation:
Instructional Plan:
● In groups of four, share with your team members what social and cultural issues you drew/wrote about. After 15 minutes, we’ll have a class discussion and address the most common struggles that were written about. Be ready to address how you feel the use of graphics help address the subject at hand.
Bibliography
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| Photographs of Jarrett J. Krosoczka's family. His grandparents, Joe and Shirley, who raised him, are in the middle photograph. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS |
Biography:
Jarrett J. Krosoczka – taken from Scholastic.orgJarrett J. Krosoczka, a New York Times bestselling author, overcomes obstacles throughout his childhood while advocating for the use of art as a survival mechanism. He has written over thirty books, many of them graphic novels. His graphic novel, Hey, Kiddo, is a personal memoir about his life. It details his struggles with his home life and how his drawing got him through the tough times. Krosoczka’s mother is a heroin addict while his father is unknown to him. Therefore, Krosozcka’s difficult but loving grandparents are given custody of him. His father remains a mystery until Krosoczka sees his birth certificate and then proceeds to meet his father and his half- siblings. Leslie, Krosoczka’s mother, comes in and out of his life due to the addiction that causes her to be in various rehabilitation centers, halfway houses, and jail. After he enters college, Krosoczka and his mother begin to develop a relationship and she even gets to meet his first two kids before she starts using heroin again, causing more trouble for herself. Through all of the chaos, Krosoczka is thankful that he had art. He says, “When I created art, I was fully in charge of the world that I was involved with whereas, in the actual world, I had no say and no control” (heykiddobook.com). Art took Krosoczka away from all the trouble and addiction surrounding his life. Jarrett K. Krosoczka is a two-time winner of the Children’s Choice Book Award for the Third to Fourth Grade Book of the Year. He is an Eisner award nominee and has given two TED talks. Some works of his are volumes of Star Wars: Jedi Academy, the Lunch Lady graphic novels, the Platypus Police Squad novel series, and of course, Hey, Kiddo. Jarrett J. Krosoczka is the host of The Book Report with JJK on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live. It is a weekly segment where he talks about books as well as their authors and the topic of reading. Krosoczka lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Gina. They have three kids together, Zoe, Lucia, and Xavier as well as two pugs, Ralph and Frank.
