Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

by Jack Gantos

 
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
by Jack Gantos
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Farrar Straus & Giroux Juvenile
1998
Hardcover - 192 pages
 

 

 

Joey Pigza is not an ordinary kid. He suffers from behavioral problems stemming from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, more commonly known as ADD.

Told in first-person viewpoint through the eyes of Joey, the book reveals pieces of Joey's life, so you'll understand why he ends up in crazy situations. He is a good kid from a family in which his mother walked out on him for a while, his dad was never a part of his life, and his grandmother treated him poorly.

What's more, teachers can't seem to find a formula that works for Joey. Readers feel sorry for him, because nobody understand what it's like to live inside his skin.

Joey is trapped by a situation beyond his control. When medication makes a difference, he is assured by the compassionate parent of a schoolmate that he has always had a good heart, regardless of how he acts. Joey is touched by that act of kindness. Readers find themselves wishing he could be permanently "fixed."

Written for ages 8-12, Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key provides a window into the plight of those with ADD, stirring up compassion for a situation which frustrates and saddens.

The best part about this book is that it isn't just for ADD kids. It's a good story, period, and would be a wonderful addition to the library of anyone who has a heart for children. Kids, parents, grandparents, and teachers will come away with a better understanding of a condition which affects thousands of childrens and adults alike.

View samples of this book!  


Author Jack Gantos is the creator of the popular Rotten Ralph picture book series and a collection of stories for middle-graders which, according to his publisher, "features his alter ego," Jack Henry. Jack lives in Boston, Massachusetts with his wife and daughter.

 

 

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