Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

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Summary: Walking in Joey's Shoes
Review: This was a moving and informative story of a boy who tells what it's like living "wired". He has ADD and finds that he is at the mercy of his disability. He realizes that he knows the rules, but he just can't remember them. When he becomes "dangerous" to others, he is sent away for serious help. I liked the teacher, Special Ed, who rescues him and enables him to return to his regular school environment. I found this story funny, sad, and appealing, never boring. Gantos gives good insight as to how it feels to be out of control.

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Summary: I Couldn't Put It Down!
Review: Joey Pigsa is an endearing tale of a little boy with a big heart. He grows up in a mentally unstable household surrounded by people so wrapped up in their own dramas, they lack the ability to offer this child the attention he so desperately deserves. The result is anti-social, out of control behavior exhibited by Joey. It's always an accident, he doesn't mean to get into trouble, it just happens. He is diagnosed by the system with Attention Defecit Disorder, and is provided with medication that doesn't cure the problem. The reader is taken on a heartfelt journey into Joey's day to day experiences, and discovers from Joey's point of view what it is like to be cast aside by society and be thought of as a bad boy. Eventually, those around him, who are able, step up to the plate and provide Joey with the help he needs.

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Summary: I Really Disliked This Book
Review: This book did not appeal to me. Even after he got medicine his actions were not very good. I thought this book was boring. It started boring and ended boring.

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Summary: Living the Life of ADHD
Review: As a teacher and the mother of a son with ADHD I was immediately drawn to this book. Yes, there are difficult passages that make us want to look away from the character, but the character, like a real-life ADHD child cannot step away. My son is now 20 years old and had a horrible time making friends in school, for many of the same reasons as Joey. He attests to the authenticity of feelings and the impulsiveness of actions that send Joey "pinging off the walls of his life." (Geof's words, not mine) I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever come in contact with an ADHD child and wants to understand a little more about the illness.

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Summary: Eye-opener for adults and children...
Review: As a new elementary teacher, I stumbled on this book because of its interesting title. I couldn't put it down because it drew me in instantly. I felt sorry for Joey, but I was amazed how different his experience appeared from his point of view than what I might see as a teacher. A must read for teachers, parents, and children!

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Summary: The Bookmarks Review
Review: Joey Pigza has problems, big problems. he has never met his dad. This book is very honest and believable discripsion of a kid with ADD. We had a hard time reading the book because it was very deep.Everyday we keep thinking about the book. Another reason he has problems is because the has "DUD MEDS." We would recomend this book to anyone who eenjoys a good book.

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Summary: Joey Pigza
Review: I really liked the book. I thought it was funny, but felt kind of sorry for Joey. I hope to find another book like it.

Rating:
Summary: Joe Pigza Swallowed the Key
Review: This is an amazing book. This is a must read for any parent or teacher who works with kids with ADHD. It shows how caring adults can make all the difference. I think it helped me to understand how my own son must feel. In many ways it was painful to read. Life with ADHD kids gets out of control, not just for the kids but for the families, the schools, any situation where they are included. What this book brought home is that these kids don't mean to cause trouble, they can't help themselves. Jack Gantos taught at Emerson College when I was there in the early 80's and I read the Rotten Ralph books, which are great, but this one was unbelievably impressive and really spoke to me. I'm sorry I never took a class with him.

Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking--a must-read for all ages
Review: I have never before such an honest and believeable description of a child with ADD. This book is almost painful to read, but I couldn't put it down, and I still think about it, months later. For anyone who knows somebody with ADD, this book opens up a whole new world of understanding. The best book, for children or adults, that I have read all year.

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Summary: AWARDS and HONORS
Review: A National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature; An ALA Notable Children's Book; An NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies; A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; A Riverbank Review Children's Book of Distinction; A New York Public Library Children's Book - 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing; A NECBA Fall List Title