Hey kiddo, you should read this book

 

By Aubrie Lawrence

News Editor

At the beginning of the year each freshman was given the book “Hey Kiddo” by Jarrett Krosoczka as a part of the Common Reading Experience. The book was supposed to open a gateway for discussions among peers based on similar experiences. 

Well I sat down and read through the graphic novel this past weekend and found that I made a quick, but false judgment when I received it.  

To be honest, the book was surprisingly good. I went into the experience thinking that it was going to be about a typical, quirky teenage boy going through the typical struggles that come along with life nowadays and lecture me on how I can avoid going through the same thing.   Boy was I wrong.  Krosoczka actually wrote about his own life experiences and how they affected him. He never lectured, never said that he had it easy, and made it easy for the reader to find something to relate to; even if they had never faced all the same struggles.  

The book easily navigates through the difficulties in life and keeps everything as upbeat as possible. Krosoczka never heavily focuses on the dark parts of his life but, instead, balances them out with the good.  

He finds a way to keep the conversation light but still have purpose behind it.  

Krosoczka does one thing well and that’s highlight the meaning of his life. Ever since was little he loved to draw. Over the development of his story you can see the way art becomes his safe haven. He easily teaches the lesson that whatever you’re passionate about or whatever dream you have, will get you through any struggle you go through. You just have to work hard and push through the struggle.  

 The book truly holds up to what the CRE is all about. It gave me insight to the struggles that shape so many people’s lives and gave me the opportunity to understand them better.  

Sure, it is definitely not a book I would have picked up from a shelf for a leisurely read, but I still found a way to find purpose out of it. It taught me a lesson in empathy and opened a space for conversation. 

While it may seem dorky to read the book assigned to you by the school, I advise that you do if you are looking for a way to connect to the people around you. It’ll make starting conversation much easier.