Hey, Kiddo: A Conversation about Family, Addiction, and Art

This week, we're talking with Jarrett J. Krosoczka about his graphic novel memoir for young adults, Hey, Kiddo. 

The memoir, which has been longlisted for the National Book Award, follows Jarrett's childhood: His mother was a heroin addict who was in and out of rehab, so he was raised by his grandparents — loud, opinionated, but loving people who struggled with their own demons. In the midst of it all, he found art. 

We also hear from Kim Tranell, executive editor, Scholastic Classroom Magazines, about ways she has covered topics of addiction—specifically, the opioid crisis—in Choices magazine for teen readers.

If you're planning to share this episode with young listeners, please note that it includes some mature themes, including drug use.

Additional resources:

Learn more about Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Read the profile of Jarrett J. Krosoczka in The New York Times 
Learn more about Jarrett J. Krosoczka's other work
Learn more about Choices magazine
Learn more about Scholastic Classroom Magazines

Guests:

Jarrett J. Krosoczka is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator who has published dozens of books, including the Lunch Lady graphic novels, the Platypus Police Squad middle grade novels, and arcs in the Star Wars: Jedi Academy series. He was first published when he was only twenty-three years old. Jarrett's TED Talk about his childhood has been viewed over a million times and can be found on his website, www.studiojjk.com.
Kim Tranell is an executive editor of Scholastic Classroom Magazines overseeing Scholastic Action and Choices.

Special thanks:

Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl
Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan and Christopher Johnson
Produced by Emily Morrow