Hey, Kiddo is a graphic memoir from Jarett Krosoczka that tells the tale of his childhood. He was raised by his loud, boisterous grandparents who had a love for stiff drinks, his mother was a heroin addict who was in and out of his life and growing up he never knew who his father was. He states in the book, "When I was a kid, I'd draw to get attention from my family. In junior high, I drew to impress my friends. But now that I am in my teens, I fill sketchbooks just to deal with life. To survive." However, this book is about much more than survival. It is about perseverance, love, forgiveness and the horrible disease of addiction and its impact on the entire family. It is a love letter to Krosoczka's grandparents and especially his grandfather. Don't skip the author's notes at the back and especially the note about the art. It is so different than Krosoczka's other graphics but when he details the reasons why in the back it makes the book that much more meaningful. This book is long-listed for the National Book Award for YA literature. I have read most of the nominees and while they have all been very good and deserving of the nomination, this one has my vote.