68 pages • 2 hours read
Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Worcester, Massachusetts • 1990s
2018
Middle grade
12+ years
GN510L
Super Short Summary
Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction by Jarrett J. Krosoczka is a graphic memoir that explores his childhood in the 1990s, focusing on his life with his grandparents after his mother, Leslie, struggled with heroin addiction and imprisonment. The memoir details his bond with his grandparents, his burgeoning talent as a cartoonist, and his eventual decision to reconnect with his father. Themes of family addiction, incarceration, and abuse are present.
Emotional
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
35,443 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka has received praise for its raw and authentic portrayal of family issues, particularly around addiction. The graphic novel format effectively complements the emotional narrative. However, some critics note the pacing can be uneven. Overall, it's lauded for its honest storytelling and impactful visuals.
Who Should Read Hey, Kiddo?
Readers who enjoyed works like Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi or El Deafo by Cece Bell will appreciate Hey, Kiddo. This graphic memoir captures the struggles and resilience of growing up with family substance abuse and speaks to teens and adults drawn to poignant, real-life stories.
35,443 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Joe
Joe
Jarrett's grandfather, characterized by his humor and strong work ethic, who provides stability and support to Jarrett, especially encouraging his interest in art.
Shirley
Shirley
Jarrett's grandmother, known for her vibrant and intense personality, who cares deeply for Jarrett and is a forceful presence in his life.
Leslie
Leslie
Jarrett's mother, who struggles with heroin addiction and is an artist herself, maintaining a complicated relationship with Jarrett through letters and drawings.
320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Worcester, Massachusetts • 1990s
2018
Middle grade
12+ years
GN510L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.