Joey Pigza really wants his six-week visit with his dad to count, to show him he's not as wired as he used to be, to show his dad how much he loves...
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Mar 24, 2009
Shel
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Gantos, J. (2000). Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York: HarperTrophy.
0064410226
Joey’s back and he’s facing a new challenge: Meeting his father for the first time and visiting his difficult grandma, whose health is declining.
This book deals more deeply with issues only touched on the first book: The results of a lifetime of smoking, parental alcoholism, the need for ADHD medication, parental pressure, the desire for a united family, etc. Also, this book may appeal to More...
0064410226
Joey’s back and he’s facing a new challenge: Meeting his father for the first time and visiting his difficult grandma, whose health is declining.
This book deals more deeply with issues only touched on the first book: The results of a lifetime of smoking, parental alcoholism, the need for ADHD medication, parental pressure, the desire for a united family, etc. Also, this book may appeal to More...
Feb 04, 2012
Linda
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This 2001 Newbery Honor book is well deserving of the award. It is yet another excellent example of the YA genre that resonates with all age groups.
Joey Pigza has ADHD. Well aware that he needs the medicinal patches to control his frenetic behavior, Joey has learned that without the patches, he is another person.
When Joey's mother reluctantly allows him to spend six weeks with his father, it is a test to see who is more out of control -- the son or the father.
Throwi More...
Joey Pigza has ADHD. Well aware that he needs the medicinal patches to control his frenetic behavior, Joey has learned that without the patches, he is another person.
When Joey's mother reluctantly allows him to spend six weeks with his father, it is a test to see who is more out of control -- the son or the father.
Throwi More...
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Nov 25, 2011
Kaitlyn
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Joey Pigza is a little boy with ADHD who goes to live with his dad for the summer. He wants to make the best out of his time with his dad and wants to show him that he has changed and is not as hyper as he use to be. Joey's dad is a lot like him though. When he was young, he was a lot like Joey and the last thing he wants for his son is to grow up and be like he is now. Joey's dad, Carter Pigza, wants to make up for what he has done in the past and wants to show Joey how to be " a winne
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Jun 27, 2010
Jessica
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Joey Pigza Loses Control is about a boy who spends the summer with his estranged father who has allegedly changed his irresponsible ways and wants to start his relationship with his son anew. Joey loves his father, but eventually learns that his father does not have all the right answers, can be irresponsible and selfish, and has not turned his life around.
The description of Joey’s thoughts and actions make his characterization convincing and relatable to the reader. Joey is a beli More...
The description of Joey’s thoughts and actions make his characterization convincing and relatable to the reader. Joey is a beli More...
Oct 25, 2009
Sara
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Mar 16, 2009
Pandora
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I find the Joey Pigza series to be difficult books to read. Joey is a likeable character but, what happens to him seems at times seems a bit too much to be real. The tone of the Joeys books is like Desperate Housewives just too far out to be real. The adults around Joey you also have to wonder about. Such as why his Mom would allow Joey to be under the care of his out of control father and his somewhat abusive grandmother. I do also wonder how the poor dog is going to survive.
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Jul 18, 2009
Rachel
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My version looks like this but was published in 2000 and only has 196 pages. This book was good and at times as funny as the first book in the series. This one is about Joey whose ADD is finally under control until he has to spend 6 weeks with his father, who is an on-again off-again alcoholic and wired crazy like Joey. I felt sorry for Joey's grandma in this story, b/c although she was crazy in the last story and did all kinds of mean things to him, in this book she is just sad and pathetic. Sh
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Sep 03, 2009
Sandra
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A boy with ADHD must deal with his father who is convinced Joey can control himself without the medication he so sorely needs and takes the medication away. Joey narrates, allowing him to express what it feels like to be ADHD and unmedicated, the trouble that he really doesn’t mean to cause and the outcome, when he loses a ballgame (as pitcher) his father pressured him to win because he is unmedicated. He then TAKES control, finding his mother and the welcome medication. The book subtly sugge
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Jun 26, 2010
Katyh
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This is one of those great books that is funny and engaging enough to give a reluctant reader that also has some really good meat on its bones. Joey Pigza (who is on meds for a raging case of ADHD) is raised by his single mom. His dad, who walked out when he was a baby and self-medicates his own undiagnosed case of ADHD with alcohol, has recently dried out and wants to spend time with his son. Joey can't wait to get to know his father, but the reality doesn't live up to his expectations. A lot o
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Mar 23, 2010
Lisa
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Dec 07, 2011
Shelbi
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Joey Pigza is a little boy with ADHD who goes to live with his dad for the summer with the intentions of proving that he is not as hyper as he used to be. When Joey's dad was young, he was a lot like him and the last thing he wants for his son is to grow up and be like he is now. Joey's dad, Carter Pigza, wants to make up for what he has done in the past and wants to show Joey how to be " a winner" and to take control of his life.
This book would be a great one to read becaus More...
This book would be a great one to read becaus More...
May 13, 2009
Kaitlyn
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this book is about Joey Pigza he is a kid who has a medicine patch to keep him under control since he is really crazy without it. he is in special ed since he is so wild. he has a bald spot cause he scratch it a lot and scrachted all the hair off thast spot and made it bleed. he is going to spend time with his father who is just like him. while he is at his dads house his dad gets rid of his patches. joey dosent know what to do? he is woried that he will lose control! can he control himself with
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May 01, 2010
James
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This is a very good book. There is plenty of humor and the plot is very easy to understand even though this is one of the many books in the series. It is about this boy named Joey who can not stand still at all, so he wears these pacthes everyday to calm him down. He calls it his medicine. His parents are divorced so one day his mother decides to let him go to his dad`s house for summer vacation. Joey is really excited until his dad makes him do some dramatic things that will turn Joey back into
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Sep 19, 2011
Dan
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I thought this book was fantastic! It made me laugh out loud but it also made me feel sad because it reminded me of how hard it is for some kids to deal with their family situations. Jack Gantos did such a great job of letting the reader know what it is like to have ADHD. You actually get into the head of Joey and how he thinks with ADHD.This book is about a young boy named Joey who had ADHD. Joey just meets his dad for the first time in years. Joey thinks that Carter is like a grow-up versio
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Sep 19, 2011
Irene
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I keep meaning to read more of the Joey Pigza books. If you know someone who is struggling with ADD or ADHD, then they make genuinely like this book. Joey is just getting his middle school life together and learning how to cope with his ADHD. Then he goes to visit his stellar dad and grandma for the summer. Dad, an alcoholic who swears he's on the wagon, disposes of Joey's medication. Joey doesn't want to see his dad as the screwed-up alcoholic that he really is. When Joey finally accepts
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Oct 29, 2008
Paola M
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I looked at the front cover, and knew right away that it was the perfect book for me to read.....
Life is just what it is, we can’t change it or give it away, we have to try new things, reach old dreams, and look forward to life, what i really enjoyed about joey, and got me impressed, was that he lost control but he never lost his heart! Joey Pigza...living in the real world, has to struggle against ADD (attention deficit disorder). Joey doesn’t understand, with his ADD problem, things are More...
Life is just what it is, we can’t change it or give it away, we have to try new things, reach old dreams, and look forward to life, what i really enjoyed about joey, and got me impressed, was that he lost control but he never lost his heart! Joey Pigza...living in the real world, has to struggle against ADD (attention deficit disorder). Joey doesn’t understand, with his ADD problem, things are More...
Mar 29, 2008
Adrianna
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This is the second book in the Joey Pigza series, which I didn't realize when I started it, but I had no trouble with the storyline not having read the first book (Joey Pigza Swallows the Key), which I am planning to read.
I very much liked this book, even though there are some difficult dynamics going on with the characters. This family is definitely dysfunctional (aren't we all, I mean, really?!), and author Jack Gantos portrays it quite intensely. I thought it was a great story a More...
I very much liked this book, even though there are some difficult dynamics going on with the characters. This family is definitely dysfunctional (aren't we all, I mean, really?!), and author Jack Gantos portrays it quite intensely. I thought it was a great story a More...
Sep 19, 2011
Stevecrandell
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Joey Pigza needs his meds, and he knows he needs his meds. He has an adult appreciation of his out-of-control behaviors. So adult, that he realizes he’s more grown up than his own estranged dad. Then again, Joey is still Little League age. And still ADD. So this book once again has its share of “Joey drives Dad’s car” and “Joey covers himself in shaving cream” and “Joey stuffs Grandma in a shopping cart to help her buy her cigarettes.”
When the craziness hits, Joey itemizes the damages More...
When the craziness hits, Joey itemizes the damages More...
Aug 27, 2009
Kim
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I read Joey Pigza Swallowed a Key and wanted to read more of Jack Gantos's books. I found both of these books in the Washburn University CRC. I fell the author does a good job of helping me feel what a child might experience with ADD and ADHD. The author wrote in a way that caused me to feel empathy for Joey and all students who are struggling in school. I liked both books and recommend reading them in order first Joey Pigza Swallowed a Key then Joey Pigza Loses Control.
May 05, 2009
Michael
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This is realistic fiction alright. Joey Pigza is a very lovable protagonist who suffers from ADHD. He spends the summer with his estranged father who encourages him to quit taking his medication. In a less courageous book, this situation would be played only for laughs, but the book deals with the very serious (though, yes, often funny) consequences of this. I was shocked by the ending. It was very bittersweet. This book is clearly aimed at kids who are capable of handling an ending that doesn't
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Apr 12, 2009
Lisa
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Fun story about a boy with ADD or ADHD who visits his sometimes sober but making-an-effort father over the summer with his toy dog Pablo. When dad thinks it's a great idea to take him off his meds and not tell his mom...then starts drinking increasingly more - only trouble can happen.
Listened to the this one, the boys liked it; but Jack Gantos should stick to writing and let someone else narrate his audio books. (no offense!)
Listened to the this one, the boys liked it; but Jack Gantos should stick to writing and let someone else narrate his audio books. (no offense!)
Mar 25, 2009
Kim
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The cover does not do any justice to this book. I was expecting a goofy story, but it is a story about a kid who is struggling with ADHD and is visitng his alcoholic father for the summer. Dad thinks that Joey doesn't needs his meds adn he sprirals back into a hyper kid. Joey is written as a true kid who is really struggling and who needs his father and his father is not capable of being an adult.
Sep 14, 2008
Jess
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In this sequel to Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, Joey has a chance to reconnect with his dad. Of course this leads to plenty of disasters, since his dad is a grown-up version of Joey - wired differently, and often a little out of control. Like the first book, this one has plenty of humor and is a fascinating insight into life with ADHD. But this one felt darker than the first one - maybe because Joey is actually better than his dad at keeping things together and making smart decisions. Gantos
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Apr 15, 2011
Melinda
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Although intermixed with some comical scenes, the overall theme of this book is really quite heartrending. Understanding Joey's desire to get to know his father, believing that what his father tells him should be obeyed, yet realizing that his father has his own deep-set, difficult to overcome issues, Joey is placed in some compromising positions. I think that quite a few young readers will be able to identify with both Joey and his situations. I good read for discussion.
Mar 06, 2011
Tracy
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This is the sequel to the first book. Joey goes to visit his dad for the summer, and he brings along his dog. He plays baseball for his dad's baseball team, and he pitches like he's been playing for years. Another continuation of this young man's struggle with understanding his parents' decision to divorce, and how he understands the importance of him taking his ADHA medication.
Jun 11, 2009
This book is about a kid named joey pigza who he goes to visit his father and he is a little scared. The mom is having second thoughts about him. But joey is seeming to likt him. They go to baseball games and all kinds of stuff. I would rate this book a 5star because it was really cool someone else could have been like that and never seen his father and go places with them.
Nov 14, 2010
Shelley
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WOW! I don't know what the point of this story was, it was sooooo dumb! I couldn't stand any of the characters. Mind you I haven't read any of the other Joey Pigza books, though why would I since I couldn't stand anything about this story. I can't understand why this book received the Newberry Honor Book Award. It sucked and was right up there for one of the worst books I've ever read in my entire life!
Apr 09, 2009
Treasure
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I listened to this as an audio book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am a sucker for audio books read by the authors. I appreciate how Joey's life isn't easy or simple, but he still proudly and honestly wades through the mess of being hyperactive with separated parents who have addiction problems. He is so sweet, yet I can see why the adults in his life are exasperated with him.
What a fantastic read for kids with less than perfect lives (um, that would be ALL kids!), especially boys, reluctant More...
What a fantastic read for kids with less than perfect lives (um, that would be ALL kids!), especially boys, reluctant More...
Nov 23, 2011
Jenilyn
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This book was very interesting, but I really enjoyed it. It shows that not everyone comes from a perfect home life, as evidenced by Joey and his divorced parents. Joey also has some kind of disorder or something (it doesn't really specify in this book) that he needs to be medicated for. When he goes to visit his dad for the summer, his dad takes him off the medication. All Joey wants is to be normal and not be on the meds, but he realizes that for him that's not possible. He also realizes that i
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Dec 17, 2009
Chris.t
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I think that this was a very good book because it is a book about a kid who has too much energy.he finnaly gets to meet his dad. but on the first day he is there his dad takes him off of his medication and he starts to get even more hyper. he cant decide if he should call his mom or not and tell her the truth.
