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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 an important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive. Starred reviews. Memoir. Substance abuse and family problems. Overcoming adversity. Graphic novel. IL 9-12. Lexile 510. 2020 Newbery Award. Iowa Teen Award 2020-2021. Also Iowa High School Book Award 2021-2022. | |