Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Module 4, SLIS 5420

Summary

Joey Pigza lived with his Grandmother since his Father ran off and his Mother followed. His Grandmother was a lot like him: she had lots of energy and had trouble focusing. This made for a rather strange household and one that was rather messy. Then his Mother returned, bringing a level of stability, though Grandma and Joey still tended to bounce around the place. Joey has trouble at school, especially in the afternoons. He takes a medication to help calm him down, but it does not work so well after lunch. Because of this, Joey does not learn much in the afternoons and becomes quite a distraction to his teacher, Mrs. Maxy. He often is sent to visit the principal, Mrs. Jarzab, or Nurse Holyfield. Because of his frequent disruptions, the principal decides to try a new tactic: Joey will be sent to visit the Special Education room when he gets out of hand. The Teacher there, Mrs. Howard, has some methods of dealing with him that seems to help a little. When he is there, he meets the other children. Some have physical or mental difficulties that make him seem rather normal. Then, in regular class one day, Joey injures another student, accidentally cutting off the tip of her nose with scissors when he trips. This requires that he be moved to the school district's main Special Education facility. This turns out to be a blessing as they have the training and know-how to properly assess Joey's needs and help him through new medication and counseling to control his urges more successfully. He returns to regular school with a new appreciation for the conditions suffered by others in the Special Education program. He also gets a puppy to reward him for his transition!

Bibiographic Information

Gantos, Jack. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998. ISBN: 0-374-33664-4

My Thoughts

Joey suffers from attention deficit disorder. The author does a good job of describing what Joey feels under the influence of this condition, both when his medications are working and when they are not. He also does a pretty good job of telling the story through the eyes of a 4th or 5th grader. He describes what he sees and what he feels about that, but it is obvious that he does not always understand and that he does not appreciate the long-term consequences of his actions. During the course of the book, while under treatment, Joey begins to reveal more about what he suffered at the hands of his Grandma. She also had attention deficit disorder and it was untreated, as she was a grownup and was merely thought of as eccentric. Some of her actions, such attempting to lock him in a refrigerator and pretending that his mother would come home immediately if he behaved himself, had profound and unfortunate effects on Joey's behavior and development. With counseling and a new medication structure, Joey returns to almost normal. Because of his condition, he can never be absolutely cured, but the reader sees the beginning of better things for Joey as he learns more about himself. His mother has also realized that she needs to make changes of her own if she intends to provide Joey with a safe environment in which he can grow and develop. This book is a good introduction to attention deficit disorder for those that do not suffer from it, but who may know others that do. It is also a tale of courage for those who have the disorder. In the character of Joey they can see hope for themselves.

Reviews

Joey Pigza is hyperactive and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), and he knows it. Being wired is something that runs in his family; Joey's father skipped out when Joey was in kindergarten. His mother left shortly afterwards, abandoning Joey to the dubious care of a batty and abusive grandmother. For years Joey lived in chaos, until his mother came home sobered up and determined to take care of him. The trouble is that the meds Joey takes to control his condition work only half a day, and when they wear off he is quite literally off the wall, impossible in a classroom and a menace to himself and others. When Joey precipitates an accident that seriously injures a classmate, he is sent to a special education school?here, as Joey observes, the kids arrive punished already with crippling handicaps. The school marks another turning point for Joey. A supportive caseworker helps Joey deal with and understand his disability, and he is put on a continuous release patch that evens out the delivery of his drugs. Joey returns to his old school feeling calmed down, hopeful, and even a little good about himself. Joey; his gutsy, struggling mother; and his long-suffering teachers come to life in this highly readable novel that is sometimes funny, sometimes heartrending, and both entertaining and engrossing. Be aware, though, that the plot and a lot of Joey's inner dialogues hang on the drugs that do or do not control his condition. Readers uncomfortable with the way that medicines are used to control children's behavior are going to have qualms about this story. There are plenty of Joeys in schools today, and it is good to have one of their stories told with such skill and sympathy.
Patton, Anya. Voice of Youth Advocates. February 1, 1999.

Gr 5-8-Joey Pigza suffers from severe attention deficit disorder and struggles to remain calm when his world chaotically slips through his fingertips. When his medicine wears off, he cannot concentrate or sit still and is constantly in trouble at school. After leaving him for several years in the care of his abusive grandmother, his mother returns to reclaim him and her parental responsibilities. But Joey remains a challenge: he continually disrupts his class, swallows his house key, and runs away during a field trip. Eventually, he injures a classmate and is sent to a special education center for six weeks; here his medication is regulated and he learns how to manage his behavior. Joey leaves the center feeling strong and in control and he triumphantly returns to his old school. Gantos creates a strong cast of multidimensional characters. Joey is inherently a good kid and just as his teachers want him to succeed, readers will empathize and feel his emotional and physical bruises. References to alcoholism and abuse add realism to the novel without impeding the flow of the plot. In his first-person narrative, Joey relates incidents that are heart wrenching and humorous. From the powerful opening lines and fast-moving plot to the thoughtful inner dialogue and satisfying conclusion, readers will cheer for Joey, and for the champion in each of us.
Brommer, Shawn. School Library Journal. December 1, 1998.

Awards

ALA Notable Children's Books
California Young Reader Medal
School Library Journal Best Books
Virginia Readers' Choice Award

Suggestions for Use in Library

This would be a good book to suggest for anyone suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder. It would also make a good class assignment in situations where children are expanding their awareness of conditions that others suffer. I would add that caution be exercised as to not make it to obvious or awkward for fellow students who have this condition if this is made a class assignment!