Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Hey, kiddo
Jarrett Krosoczka
Hey, Kiddo
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes. Its HootRating code, IS, means intense content, mostly social.
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About This Book
A young boy navigates the challenges of growing up in a troubled family, finding solace and expression through his art. As he faces the complexities of his home life, he strives to create a sense of normalcy amidst chaos and silence. This graphic novel offers a powerful glimpse into resilience and self-discovery.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 3-4 book with intense content intensity. Note: content intensity (Intense) exceeds what the reading level might suggest. Content themes include emotional: family change, emotional: identity & self-discovery, physical/safety: sexual content. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Hey, kiddo IS (Intense)
Hey, kiddo is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 294 pages (approximately 16,162 words). Upper Grades (Ages 13+) is the typical interest range for this book — readers in that age band have the maturity and attention span suited to the story, separate from whether they can decode the words.
Read aloud, Hey, kiddo runs about 1.8 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Hey, kiddo as IS (Intense, mostly social) because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Family Change, Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery, Physical/Safety: Sexual Content, Social: Substance Use.
Thematically, Hey, kiddo explores family, coming of age, art, and dysfunctional families — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, coming of age, art.
- ✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — Hey, kiddo carries 18 awards.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic reading-level-vs-content mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
IS · Intense · SocialReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
6/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545902489
- Pages
- 294
- Publisher
- Graphix
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 16,162
- Read-Aloud
- ~1h 48m
- Text Density
- Light Text