Hey, Kiddo

Much of the violence is conveyed in the busy graphic-novel art panels, not the text. For instance, when the Mom's disreputable friends show up with a knife and covered in blood, the text says only that she made "terrible decisions." Similarly, Jarrett gets his hand stuck in an escalator and pictures show blood spurting. Neighborhood toughs jump Jarrett and beat him up.

Two teen pregnancies. Teens pictured kissing/making out. When Jarrett paints a mural of Napoleon for his high school, he suggestively positions the light switch in the crotch.

Lots of profanity and coarse name-calling from grandmother. When teen daughter gets pregnant, Grandma calls her "slut," "whore"; curses "goddamned mulatto baby." Calls family members "fecking a--holes." "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph" as exclamation. Jarrett says "crap," "s--t." Bullies call him "faggot."

Mom was heroin addict, in and out of jail and rehab, and author's note reveals she eventually died of heroin overdose. Much of the substance abuse content is handled in the art panels, not the text, softening it and ensuring readers aren't hammered with details they're not ready for. For instance, when mom is pictured heating drugs up in spoon, about to shoot up with syringe, the art's superimposed over a heartrending letter she wrote to her parents saying only that she's "mixed up." Grandparents drink heavily, and grandmother gets verbally abusive under the influence. Underage teens at party buy drinks, have fake ID. Grandparents pictured with cigarettes.

Parents need to know that Hey, Kiddo is by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author-illustrator of a host of very funny and imaginative middle grade and picture books, including the graphic novel series Lunch Lady, but the target age for this book is teens. It's a frank but very moving memoir of growing up with a mom addicted to heroin. Though all is not bleak -- Jarrett's grandparents take him in, provide stability, and encourage his talent as an artist -- there's serious content. The mom is mostly absent -- she became addicted as a young teen and is in and out of rehab, halfway houses, and jail. The grandparents, though loving, are boozers, and when the grandmother hits the sauce, she swears and engages in coarse name-calling. Still, the overall feel of the book is hopeful and uplifting. Krosoczka gives credit to his grandparents and influential teachers, and even to his mom, in reproductions of actual letters and artwork she sent him at the time. This book will resonate strongly with kids affected by family substance abuse, but all can be stirred by this very moving redemptive human story.