Hey, Kiddo

By: Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Narrated by: Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Jeanne Birdsall, Richard Ferrone, Jenna Lamia, Full Cast

Length: 2 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of both the American Library Association’s 2020 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production and the 2020 Audie Award for Young Adult!

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.

©2019 by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (P)2019 Scholastic Inc.

Captivating memoir

I decided to get this audiobook because I was very intrigued on how someone might turn a graphic novel into an audiobook. I was familiar with the story, as I had read it already. So, I was unprepared to be affected by this performance as deeply as it hit me. The book itself is brilliant, and the graphics are so well done. However, this audiobook brings it to another level. Hearing the pain and sadness, coupled with the joyful moments from the author’s own voice made it so powerful. The addition of sound effects and music, along with an amazing and long list of cast members made this experience so intriguing that I listened to it in one day. I was particularly struck by hearing the voice of his actual father, along with his daughter’s voice of his own childhood persona.

The topic that is grappled with in this book is so important right now, as the opioid epidemic affects nearly every single person in one way or another. Yes, this is not the normal topic for a graphic novel, or the normal lightheartedness that Jarrett usually brings to his book. Putting this story out there was so courageous and will do so much to help those who are struggling with these issues to feel not so alone. Give this one a listen, and pass it on. This book could change your life.

Loved it!

Great work! I started it and finished it without stopping. You are an inspiration! Thank you

An incredible listen

I drove an extra 5 miles on my way home from work just to finish every last word.

This is one of the most moving audio books I’ve ever listened to. The voices. The music. The video games sounds. The music selections. It was as perfect as it gets.

I belly ached laughed at times and teared up at others. And I downright cried when it was over because I didn’t want it to end. A brilliant production.

Although the book was a finalist in the 2018 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, don't let that fool you. This book is for adults too. Especially if you grew up in a house where any sort of addiction (and chaos around that) was present. It was healing for me in ways I can't even articulate.

I'm going to get a copy of the print edition now just to see the artwork. After you listen to this (especially the author's notes at the end about how the art was created), you'll probably want a copy of the print edition too. But do yourself a favor and LISTEN to this book. The reading performances are soooo good. I got lost in the characters voices. Especially Grandma Shirley.

So well done!

Amazing sound design and production, and how terrific Jarrett's real family is a part of it! A difficult but uplifting story that never dips too far into either maudlin despair or placid pleasantness. Realistic, lovable characters and a terrific slice of MA. Great job to all involved!

Excellent

This book was wonderfully written and produced. Loved how the actual characters and Jarrett’s family were part of the recording. Voice of Richard Ferrone as the Grandfather set the stage. Thank you for sharing your story, Jarrett. You are helping to take the stigma out of addiction and the scholarships that you are organizing are a beautiful gift to the children in your community.

READS LIKE A MOVIE

there was nothing I disliked about this book. it was better than only reading it traditionally. recommend!

The realness of the story

The story is overwhelmingly real and a positive force for kids of addicted parents. It’s a fascinating story