42 pages 1 hour read

Jack Gantos

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1998

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, 10-year-old Joey, dealing with hyperactivity and impulsivity, narrates his struggles with unpredictable behavior, leading to various conflicts at school and home. After an incident at school, Joey is transferred to a Special Education Center where he receives effective medication and therapy, helping him find stability and a hopeful future. Topics in the book include injury, family abandonment, and alcohol abuse.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jack Gantos' Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key provides a poignant and humorous exploration of ADHD through its lively protagonist. Reviewers praise its realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by those with the condition, though some critique the repetitive narrative and predictability. The empathy in Gantos' writing, however, deeply resonates with both young readers and adults.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key?

A reader who would enjoy Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos is likely interested in realistic, middle-grade fiction that explores themes of ADHD, family dynamics, and personal growth. Comparable to readers of Holes by Louis Sachar and Wonder by R.J. Palacio, they appreciate stories with strong, emotionally complex characters.

RecommendedReading Age

10-14years

Lexile Level

890L

Book Details

Genre

Humor

Children's Literature

Education

Themes

Relationships: Family

Topics

Disability

Education