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1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gantos, Jack. 2000. Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374399891
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Joey Pigza is going to spend a few weeks with his father for the first time in many years. He’s excited about the idea but a little apprehensive too. Joey’s mother said that his father, Carter, is a bigger version of himself. Joey has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and apparently, his father does too. Joey has learned that life is very good as long as he wears his medicine patches, but Carter has a different opinion. Joey Pigza experiences some very good times with his father especially when it comes to baseball, but he experiences some bad bouts as well. Life with his Dad is like a roller coaster of extreme emotions and things become too scary.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Using every day language, Jack Gantos writes a story that is not only believable but also one that many individuals can understand through their own experiences. A large number of people today know somebody who has ADHD, and this story may offer some insight in regards to potential complications. Gantos creates vivid character personalities, realistic settings, and employs a host of emotions. Parts of the story will make the reader smile, frown, laugh, cringe, worry, and hope. Joey tries so hard to keep in control of his own outbursts but has to dig deep within himself to overcome his father’s bad choices.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
BOOKLIST: Starred Review – “Ganto's skillful pacing, sly humor, and in-depth characterization make it a truly memorable read.”
KIRKUS: Starred Review – “A tragic tale in many ways, but a triumph too.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Readers will be drawn in immediately to the boy's gripping first-person narrative and be pulled pell-mell through episodes that are at once hilarious, harrowing, and ultimately heartening as Joey grows to understand himself and the people around him.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Like its predecessor, this high-voltage, honest novel mixes humor, pain, fear and courage with deceptive ease.”
John Newbery Medal, 2001 Honor Book
Parents' Choice Award, 2000 Gold Fiction
Parents' Choice Award, 2003 Gold Best 25 Books in 25 Years
5. CONNECTIONS
• Other “Joey Pigza” books include:
Gantos, Jack. JOEY PIGZA SWALLOWED THE KEY. ISBN 9780374336646
Gantos, Jack. WHAT WOULD JOEY DO? ISBN 9780374399863
Gantos, Jack. I AM NOT JOEY PIGZA. ISBN 978-0-374-39941-2
• Other young adult fiction with ADHD characters include:
Rue, Nancy. MOTORCYCLES, SUSHI & ONE STRANGE BOOK. ISBN 9780310714842
Guest, Jacqueline. RACING FEAR. ISBN 1550288393
Harrar, George. PARENTS WANTED. ISBN 1571316337
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