Jarrett J. Krosoczka


Jarrett J. Krosoczka is the author and illustrator of several graphic novels and picture books, most famously his Lunch Lady series.
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Life

Krosoczka was raised entirely by his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka, who took legal custody of him when he was three because of his mother's drug addiction. He saw his mother only sporadically throughout his childhood, and didn't learn the truth about her addiction until he was in the fourth grade. The "J" in his professional name is in tribute to his late grandfather. He also established the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships at the Worcester Art Museum in tribute to his grandparents. The scholarships provide tuition to underprivileged children who are in unique familial situations.
Krosoczka later went on to graduate from Rhode Island School of Design, and received his first book contract six months after graduation. His first book, Good Night, Monkey Boy, was published on June 12, 2001, by Random House.
Krosoczka was also an instructor at Montserrat College of Art for four years.
In 2003, Krosoczka was chosen by Print as one of their 20 Top New Visual Artists Under 30. A Universal Studios movie based on Krosoczka's Lunch Lady series was in development with Amy Poehler in the lead role. Additional film and television options for Krosoczka's work have been with DreamWorks Animation, Walden Media, and MGM. Weston Woods produced an animated adaptation of Krosoczka's Peanut Butter and Jellyfish.
Hey, Kiddo was a finalist in the 2018 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, and it won the 2019 Harvey Award for Book of the Year.

Books

Good Night, Monkey Boy, 2001, Random HouseBaghead, 2002, Random HouseBubble Bath Pirates!, 2003, VikingAnnie Was Warned, 2003, Random HouseMax for President, 2004, Random HousePunk Farm, 2005, Random House Giddy Up, Cowgirl, 2006, Penguin PutnamMy Buddy, Slug, 2006, Random HousePunk Farm on Tour, 2007, Random HouseLunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute, 2009, Knopf Books for Young ReadersLunch Lady and the League of Librarians, 2009, Knopf Books for Young ReadersLunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta, 2009, Knopf Books for Young ReadersLunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown, 2010, Knopf Books for Young ReadersLunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit, 2010, Knopf Books for Young ReadersLunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco, 2011, Knopf Books for Young ReadersLunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes, 2012, Knopf Books for Young ReadersLunch Lady and the Picture Day Peril, 2012, Knopf Books for Young ReadersPlatypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked, 2013, HarperCollins PublishersLunch Lady and the Video Game Villain, 2013, Knopf Books for Young Readers