About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating a complicated family dynamic or looking for a way to process difficult emotions through a creative outlet. This powerful graphic memoir follows Jarrett as he grows up in the care of his loud but loving grandparents while his mother cycles in and out of his life due to opioid addiction. It explores themes of resilience, the pain of parental absence, and the transformative power of finding one's voice through art. While the subject matter is heavy, it provides a vital mirror for children in non-traditional families and offers a roadmap for how to survive and thrive despite childhood trauma. It is an honest, compassionate, and ultimately hopeful look at what it means to grow up in the shadow of addiction.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The depiction of a parent's drug addiction is visceral. There are scenes involving needles, drug paraphernalia, and the physical toll of withdrawal. A particularly heavy sequence involves Jarrett visiting his mother in a halfway house and the crushing disappointment of her repeated relapses. There is also frequent coarse language and smoking, reflecting the gritty reality of his grandparents' household. CONVERSATION: Parents should be ready to discuss the mechanics and tragedy of addiction. A child might ask why Jarrett's mother can't just 'stop' or why his father wasn't there. Be prepared to explain the concept of a 'halfway house' and the legalities of incarceration and custody. Additionally, there is a scene where a young Jarrett discovers a letter from his father, which may spark questions about how parents communicate (or fail to communicate) hard truths to children.
Ideal Reader
A middle or high school student who finds resonance in stories about non-traditional families or who is dealing with a family member's substance abuse. It also resonates deeply with any young person who uses a hobby (like drawing or writing) as an emotional lifeline.
Parent Prep
Parents should preview the scenes involving drug use and the coarse dialogue of the grandparents to ensure their child is ready for the raw tone. A parent might reach for this to help a child navigate the complexities of a relative's addiction or to see a loving, non-traditional household reflected on the page.
Age Experience
Younger teens (12-14) will focus on Jarrett's school life and his relationship with his grandparents. Older teens will more deeply grasp the nuances of the opioid crisis and the complexity of forgiveness.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many memoirs about trauma, this uses the graphic novel format to show, not just tell, the specific visual memories of a child. The use of limited color (burnt orange and gray) perfectly captures the nostalgia and grit of the setting.
Read plot summary
Jarrett Krosoczka's graphic memoir chronicles his upbringing in Worcester, Massachusetts. Raised by his sharp-tongued, cigarette-smoking grandparents, Joe and Shirley, Jarrett navigates a childhood marked by his mother's heroin addiction and an absent father. The narrative follows him from a confused kindergartner to a teenager searching for his father and eventually finding professional success as an artist.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Jarrett's grandparents are very different from the 'typical' grandparents seen in books. How do Joe and Shirley show their love for Jarrett, even when they are being tough?
2
Art is Jarrett's 'superpower' in this book. How does drawing help him process things that are too hard to talk about out loud?
3
When Jarrett finally meets his father, he has to balance a lot of conflicting feelings. If you were in his position, what would be the hardest question to ask?
4
The author uses a very specific color palette of grays and oranges. How does the choice of color affect the mood of the story as Jarrett grows up?
5
Throughout the book, adults often hide the truth from Jarrett to 'protect' him. Do you think this helped him or made things harder for him?
