What a great story for just about ANYONE to enjoy! As I was looking in the YA fiction section of my school library looking for Gary Paulsen book I came across this one. "Joey Pigza? I know I have heard of this somewhere but I don't think I read this one?" Then I realized, "Oh yeah! I read, Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key with a sixth grade resource class while I was doing a practicum 6 years ago!" I only remember bits and pieces of that book but I do remember how meaningful it was to the children, I remember a boy who compared himself to Joey, I remember the awesome discussion that the students actually participated in. Joey Pigza was someone those 6th graders could relate to. Right then and there I stopped my search and checked out Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos. This book was published two years after the first Joey Pigza book.
Joey Pigza, the main character tells the narrative story of his summer adventures. Instead of staying home alone his mother agrees to let him and his Chihuahua Pablo spend the summer with his father and grandmother. He doesn't live with his dad and their relationship seems a bit strained by his father's absence. Joey's dad, Carter takes full advantage of the opportunity to spend some time getting to know his son. Joey had previously been considered "wired" as he and his mother called it, he has a diagnosis of ADHD. In the previous book he was fighting to gain control of his life and with the help of the right medication and some techniques he has picked up in his special education classes he is finally under control but that may not last throughout the summer. Carter is just as "wired" as his son Joey, Joey's mom always said he was just like his father. Joey's dad has a history of alcohol abuse and he hasn't gotten along with his grandmother in the past. Joey realizes his dad who has the best of intentions has already lost control. Joey is forced to deal with his father's drinking, who then flushes Joey's medication because he wants Joey to be like everyone else. Joey is fearful that he will lose control! His father tries to bond with him and show Joey what it is like to be a winner when he discovers that Joey has a natural ability to pitch baseball so Carter signs him up to play on his team. Well Joey finally loses control, during a big game Joey starts to lose it on the mound, his dad loses it by yelling and screaming at him. Joey lost it! He took of in a sprint, his dad's yelling and even calling him names didn't even stop him. He ran until he go to the mall where he called his mother. The act of him calling his mother is actually where he re-gains control, She comes to get him and they discuss how it was worth a shot to try and spend some time with his father but his father just can't handle it. Joey tells his mother that his father needs medication and his mother replies by telling him that his father is self-medicated, referring to his alcholism. Joey goes back with his mother and knows that he needs to get back on his medication. Gantos leaves the ending a little in the air but the reader has reason to believe that Joey will fix himself again.
The type of realistic fiction that this story falls into is the Mental, Physical and Behavioral Challenges: where Joey's special challenge is that he has ADHD but it is portrayed in a positive light, he is just like any kid, he struggles with a personal conflict where he loses control but in the end the resolution is that he eventually has the power to over come and re-gain control of his life. This is a great example of a young adult novel to share in ANY classroom. Children can learn characteristics of and how to understand peers who may have ADHD or even themselves. In the resource room where I read the book with a small group of sixth graders, several of the children had ADHD or other disabilities. Joey is a hero and a character that students can look up to.
The type of realism that exists in this story is psychological novel, where the main character in the plot, Joey is faced with conflict after conflict. Joey's realistic story can be used as a means to help others cope with their disabilities and teach others sensitivity towards students with disabilities.
The interest level is 5th-8th grades but really anyone can relate to the story, it may even be a great read for adults who have a child with a disability. It is obvious why this novel has won many awards including Newberry Honor and an ALA Notable Book of the Year. I suggest this for any middle school class!
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