• Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction
• written and illustrated by Jarrett Krosoczka
• published by Graphix/Scholastic (2018)

The subtitle to Jarrett Krosoczka’s new graphic memoir might be a bit heavy (because it is), but don’t let it put you off. The story of Krosoczka’s childhood, absent father, and nearly absent mother is told entirely from his own point of view at the time.

In other words, events that happened when he was only 5, for example, are mostly shrouded in mystery since 5-year-old Jarrett was kept in the dark and had very little idea what was going on. It’s not until much later that Jarrett discovers that his mother was a heroin addict who spent most of her life in and out jail and halfway houses.

Hey, Kiddo doesn’t shy away from the sensitive and difficult issues implied by the book’s subtitle. But it’s also not a head-first dive into substance abuse and the consequences that can have. Krosoczka presents a thoughtful look back at his memories, and he pecks at the surface of the trauma his upbringing instilled.

In short, it’s an important book with critical lessons, but it’s also written with younger readers in mind. Which should come as no surprise if you’re familiar with Krosoczka’s work. He recently inherited the Jedi Academy series of graphic novels from Jeffrey Brown. But he spent many years as author and illustrator of the eccentrically funny Platypus Police Squad and Lunch Lady series.

He is first and foremost a creator for young readers.

So even though Hey, Kiddo has shades of books like Blankets, This One Summer, and Stitches, it’s in more familiar company with books like El Deafo, Smile, and Sunny Side Up – books that carefully tread difficult subjects in a way that’s approachable for kids.

The book tracks Krosoczka’s childhood from birth until high school graduation. He never knew his father, barely knew his mother, and lived with his grandparents until college. However, he was surrounded with lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins, so his childhood – though lacking “real” parental figures – is still presented as mostly happy, peaceful, and loving.

At about 300 pages, Hey, Kiddo certainly tips the scales when it comes to graphic novels, but ironically, the narrative still sometimes feels like it’s stuck on 2x speed. We race through Jarrett’s life and watch him grow up, grow more disconnected from his mother, grow more curious about his father, and fall in love with art.

Just as Jarrett’s parents only make brief appearances in his life, they only make brief appearances in the book. Even though those relationships underpin everything, Hey, Kiddo is more concerned with telling the story of how Krosoczka grew up without them, the many sacrifices his grandparents made on his behalf, and how he became a successful artist.

Like I said, don’t let that subtitle deter you. It’s what the book is about, but it’s not what the book is ABOUT.

Designwise, the book is a visual treat and a window into Krosoczka’s real life. Not only does he present his personal story, but he does it in a way that incorporates genuine artifacts from his childhood. When we see young Jarrett draw in crayon, it’s an actual picture Krosoczka drew when he was that age. When we see the yearbook cover or political cartoons that Jarrett created in high school, those are the actual pieces of artwork.

As he explains in the back of the book, “My grandfather always encouraged me to hold on to artwork and mementos that were important to me. Because of that, I have a treasure trove of artworks from throughout my childhood.”

Juxtaposed with the art that fills every page of the book, this “vintage” artwork provides a valuable insight into Krosoczka’s artistic journey. Young readers can see the whole road: how he progressed from crayon scribbles to superhero mimicry to experimental drawings to the professional art that ties the book together.

But the most revealing use of this “treasure trove” of documents are the letters Krosoczka saved from his mother. Reproduced throughout the book are several letters in his mother’s own handwriting, written to young Jarrett while she was either in jail or rehab. They provide a layer of authenticity and a window into their relationship that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

Hey, Kiddo is a remarkably powerful book that deserves to be on everyone’s reading list. It manages to walk that thin line and be both emotionally draining and uplifting. We feel young Jarrett’s frustration, loss, and isolation. Yet we ultimately feel renewed and hopeful. Inspired, even.

Jarrett Krosoczka has masterfully utilized the power of the graphic novel medium to tell his story, and we’re all the richer for it.

(Disclosure: Scholastic provided me with a review copy of this book. All opinions remain my own.)