In his memoir, Hey, Kiddo (2018), Jarrett Krosoczka recounts his childhood in Worcester, Massachusetts. Throughout his childhood, Jarrett has no contact with his father, and his mother struggles with a drug addiction. Jarrett lives most of his young life with his maternal grandparents, Joe and Shirley Krosoczka. Fortunately, Jarrett’s grandparents take on the roles of Jarrett’s parents. Joe and Shirley make thoughtful decisions regarding Jarrett’s education, enroll him in extracurricular activities, and introduce him to work opportunities. Jarrett’s maternal aunts, Lynn and Holly, provide Jarrett with additional support that he needs. Jarrett’s aunts help to care for Jarrett, take him to places he needs to go, and have meaningful conversations with him. Jarrett’s best friend Pat also plays a significant role in Jarrett’s life. Pat includes, encourages, and listens to Jarrett throughout their childhood. With the help of his grandparents, aunts, and a good friend, Jarrett leads a good life, despite the absence of his mother and father.

Jarrett’s Grandparents

As Jarrett’s parents do not support him, Jarrett’s grandparents, Joe and Shirley, take on the active role of parenting. Joe and Shirley carefully consider Jarrett’s education and make decisions that they think are best for Jarrett. After eighth grade, although Jarrett wants to go to South High, Jarrett’s grandparents insist on Holy Name. When Jarrett complains to his grandfather, Joe says to Jarrett, “We talked about this. A kid was just stabbed and killed [at South High]. You’re not going there” (p. 170). Joe explains to Jarrett that he thinks South High is unsafe, and thus an undesirable high school. Because of the danger Joe believes exists at South High, Joe makes the decision to send Jarrett to another high school. Joe’s choice reflects the concern he has for Jarrett’s best interest. Jarrett’s grandparents not only act to keep Jarrett safe, they help Jarrett to cultivate his interests as well. They recognize Jarrett’s passion for drawing and offer Jarrett an extracurricular opportunity to pursue art. Jarrett’s grandfather says to him: “…we’d like to send you to take classes at the Worcester Art Museum…You can choose any class you want. I earmarked the page for kids 12 and up. Doesn’t matter how much it costs or what day it’s on - we’ll get you there” (p. 145). Jarrett’s grandfather wants to support Jarrett’s love for art, so he seeks out additional classes that Jarrett can take. Joe gives Jarrett choices and clearly tells Jarrett that he can take whatever class he likes, regardless of the money or time that the class requires. Jarrett’s grandfather also gives him work experience outside of school. Joe brings Jarrett to his factory, Sem-Tec, and shows him how to work on the assembly line. Joe says to Jarrett, “Listen Jarrett, someday you can be a part of this - if you want. But I don’t want you to think that you have to. There’s no pressure from me, or Joey or Stephen or anyone for you to go into the family business” (p. 211). Joe brings Jarrett to work at his factory so he can gain firsthand experience in a work environment, specifically a work environment that is a realistic option for Jarrett when he finishes school. Joe tells Jarrett that the family business is one of his future possibilities. However, Joe also tells Jarrett that he can do what he wants. In lieu of his parents, Jarrett’s grandparents support his education and extracurricular interests, and provide him with work experience.

Jarrett’s Aunts

In addition to his grandparents, Jarrett’s aunts Lynn and Holly play an important role in Jarrett’s life. As a very young child, Jarrett lives alone with his mother, and Lynn and Holly are some of the first people to notice that Jarrett needs a better home. Jarrett explains, “Lynn and Holly would later tell me that after they babysat me over on Bauer Street, they would come home in tears, telling Joe and Shirl that they needed to do something. They needed to get me out of that house” (p. 64). Jarrett’s young aunts, Lynn and Holly, spend time with Jarrett at his home, and see that Jarrett needs help. Upset by Jarrett’s home life, teenage Lynn and Holly don’t remain silent, they advocate for Jarrett. Their outcries contribute to Jarrett’s move to live with his grandparents. Jarrett’s aunts also help Jarrett with logistical support, such as car rides. When Jarrett begins to attend classes at the Worcester Art Museum, his grandfather confirms, “Okay, either me or Lynn or Holly will pick you up when the class is done” (p. 145). Jarrett is able to attend after-school activities because he has adults in life who drive him around town. Jarrett can depend not only on his grandfather, but on his aunts Lynn and Holly as well. Jarrett remembers, “Lynn and Holly used to drive me around whenever they could…” (p. 5). The extra support that Lynn and Holly provide allows Jarrett to be more active in his community. Jarrett’s aunt, Holly, helps Jarrett work through many of the challenges he encounters. As a teenager, Jarrett contacts his father and when he tells his grandparents, he thinks that they react negatively. Jarrett talks to Holly about the situation. Holly says to Jarrett, “[Your grandparents] were just upset that you didn’t tell them that you replied to [your father’s] letter…They just don’t want to see you get hurt. Are you going to meet him?” (p. 272). Holly helps diffuse some of the bad feelings that Jarrett has about the situation, and towards his grandparents. Holly explains to Jarrett that his grandparents simply want to know about Jarrett’s communication with his estranged father, and that they want him to stay safe. Holly also asks Jarrett if he plans to meet his father in person. Her question indicates her confidence in him to make the best decision for himself. Jarrett’s aunts, Lynn and Holly, help ensure his safety, give him car rides around town, and talk to him about the important happenings in his life.

Jarrett’s Friend

When Pat and his family move next to Jarrett and his grandparents, Pat and Jarrett quickly become friends. When Pat sees that baseball doesn’t really suit Jarrett, Pat adapts. Pat tells Jarrett, “So…let’s do something else. What toys do you got?” Pat remains flexible, and happy to engage in an activity with Jarrett that they can both enjoy. Even though Jarrett isn’t interested in baseball, which Pat enjoys, Pat remains willing to do other activities with Jarrett. As the two boys get older, Pat continues to include Jarrett in activity. When Jarrett expresses his nervousness about a school dance, Pat says to Jarrett, “It’s not about dancing. Nah, it’s about hanging out. And we only have a few dances left this year - you’ve got to go to one of them. There’s no reason to be embarrassed” (p. 162). Pat assures Jarrett that dancing skills are unimportant, and that he can have fun at a school dance even if he doesn’t know how to dance. Pat explains that a school dance is just a social gathering that gives them a chance to spend time with other people from their school. Pat tries to make Jarrett feel more confident. Jarrett says of Pat, “I pretty much owe my ability to socialize to Pat” (p. 164). For many years, Jarrett does not know about his mother’s struggles, or why he lives with his grandparents. When Jarrett’s grandparents tell Jarrett the truth about his mother, Jarrett tells Pat, the friend he trusts with this personal information. Pat listens to Jarrett talk about his mother and simply replies, “I’m sorry. Don’t worry, I won’t [tell anyone]” (p. 141). Jarrett wants Pat to know the reality of his family, and Pat listens. Pat offers Jarrett simple comfort and assures Jarrett that he won’t gossip about Jarrett’s mother to other people. Jarrett’s relationship with his neighborhood friend, Pat, provides Jared with camaraderie, confidence, and security.

In Hey, Kiddo, graphic novelist Jarrett Krosoczka describes the struggles and joys of his own childhood. Jarrett’s mother cannot care for her son, and Jarrett’s father remains unknown to Jarrett until his later teen years. Without a mother or a father to care for him, Jarrett relies on the love and safety of his maternal grandparents. Jarrett’s grandmother, Shirley, and grandfather, Joe, give Jarrett the opportunities that children deserve. They carefully select Jarrett’s educational, extracurricular, and work experiences. Jarrett’s maternal aunts also give Jarrett much needed care. From his early childhood, Jarrett’s aunts fight for Jarrett’s best interest, help with errands, and act as supportive adults for important conversations in Jarrett’s life. Finally, Jarrett’s good friend Pat serves as an invaluable presence. Pat plays with Jarrett at an early age, encourages Jarrett to have confidence and socialize in their middle school years, and listens to Jarrett when he shares details about his life. Jarrett’s grandparents, aunts, and his best friend fill the gaps that his mother and father’s absence create.

References

Krosoczka, J. (2018). Hey, Kiddo. Graphix.