Genre Six

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Gantos, Jack. 2000. JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN: 0439338980

PLOT SUMMARY:
JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL is about a kid who lives with ADHD and controls his symptoms with medicated patches. Instead of staying home for summer vacation, he is going to spend the summer with his father that he has not seen since he was a little boy. Joey’s father is just like him just not on medication. When his dad wants Joey to stop his medication, Joey is torn between wanting to please his father and being the “good” Joey that he has become.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Throughout JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL, the main character struggles with doing what he knows is right or gaining the love of a father that has recently reentered his life. Joey tells his story about the summer vacation when he goes to visit his father who lives three hours away from his home. He is nervous about seeing his father but also excited at the same time. While at his dad’s, Joey will have to make some tough decisions.

Mr. Gantos allows Joey to tell his story in his own way which is often in a rush of words. The fact that Joey has ADHD is evident in his words and actions throughout the novel. Joey talks frankly about his disease in a way that allows readers to understand his feelings and why he often makes the decisions that he does. He is honest about his circumstances and also talks about how his medication helps him be more like his “good” self. He is aware when he is making a bad choice but is often helpless to do otherwise.

Spending time with his father allows Joey to experience another person who has the same disease as he does. The only difference is that Joey’s father is not medicated nor is he aware that he has problem. Readers are immediately aware the Joey is not in a good situation almost from the moment he arrives at his father’s house. His grandmother makes him buy her cigarettes with his emergency money, his father begins drinking, and soon Joey’s dad convinces him to stop taking his medicine.

As Joey’s world begins to spin out of control, the readers are given insight into Joey’s thoughts and struggles with his dilemma. Even though the book is easy to read and follow, it is tough to know that a child is not being taken care of by the very people who should look out for his best interests. Joey is thrust into a world where he is being given bad advice by the people who he should be able to trust the most.

This book will have readers thinking about issues such as alcoholism and on some levels child abuse. Though Joey is not physically abused, decisions are made that could put him into danger. Ultimately, he is able to get the help he needs to escape his situation and get the medication he needs to lead the normal life he has become accustomed to.

JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL often has uncomfortable moments for the reader. It also provides a glimpse into a child that suffers from a disease that most people do not understand much about. Regardless of these difficult issues, readers will delight in the innocent mischief that Joey gets himself into and out of on almost a constant basis. This is a great story for children with ADHD and their parents to enjoy and learn how others deal with their situation.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Newberry Honor Book
Publishers Weekly Best Book
School Library Journal Best Book
ALA Notable Children’s Book
ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice
New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year

Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Sad, scary, blackly funny.”

Booklist
“Ganto's skillful pacing, sly humor, and in-depth characterization make it a truly memorable read.”

Publishers Weekly
“Like its predecessor, this high-voltage, honest novel mixes humor, pain, fear and courage with deceptive ease.”


CONNECTIONS:
Use JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL to help young children learn about children who suffer from ADHD.

This book could be read aloud to children in special education classrooms. It would be an opportunity for SPED students to read a story about others like themselves.