Sumner County, Tennessee – The Sumner County Schools board decided against banning the graphic memoir “Hey, Kiddo” during their Tuesday night meeting. This book, which narrates the author’s challenging childhood experiences, became the center of a debate within the school community.
The book in question, authored by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, illustrates his life growing up with his grandparents, an absent father, and a mother battling addiction. A parent from Ellis Middle School raised concerns about the book, citing “inappropriate language” and “premarital sex.” However, upon review, it was found that the book does not depict sexual acts, but includes illustrations of teen pregnancy. A local review committee highlighted the reality of teen pregnancy, noting its relevance even within the middle school community.
Despite recognizing the book’s “rough language,” the committee concluded that its overarching message was more significant than the concerns regarding curse words. The report emphasized that learning about perseverance in adversity is a crucial lesson for students, irrespective of their backgrounds.
Public support for the book was evident during the meeting. Current and former educators, among others, advocated for keeping the graphic novel accessible. A poignant moment came when a video message from the author was shared. Krosoczka expressed his wish for a resource like “Hey, Kiddo” during his own youth, noting the solace he might have found in knowing others shared similar experiences. He stressed the importance of such narratives for the mental health of young people who might feel isolated in their struggles.
Amy Bratcher, the librarian for Ellis Middle School, also weighed in, emphasizing her role in providing a diverse and inclusive collection for the school community.
The debate wasn’t without its dissenting voices. Board member Andy Lacy expressed his concerns, especially regarding the book’s use of profanity related to religion. He also disagreed with the author’s perspective on the portrayal of difficult truths in books, arguing that the manner of writing, rather than the content itself, was inappropriate.
Lacy’s stance reflects a broader debate about how to handle sensitive subjects in educational materials. He suggested that a “clean version” of personal stories might be more suitable for educational settings.
Following the discussion and despite the concerns raised, the board voted to keep “Hey, Kiddo” in the district’s middle school libraries, albeit with restrictions. The book will be accessible to students in eighth grade and above. Additionally, the review committee recommended that books restricted to the eighth grade should be kept behind the library circulation desk and checked out solely by the librarian.
This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about the role of literature in education, particularly literature that deals with complex and mature themes. The Sumner County Schools board’s choice to retain “Hey, Kiddo” in its libraries underlines a commitment to providing diverse and thought-provoking materials to its students, while also considering the sensitivities and concerns of the broader school community.