Book Review – Joey Pigza Loses Control
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gantos, Jack. 2000. JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374399891
Gantos, Jack. 2004. JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL [SOUND RECORDING]. New York: Random House/Listening Library. ISBN 1400086167
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Everything seemed to finally be in complete control for Joey, that is, before he visited his absentee dad for the summer. This was finally his chance to bond with the father he’s never known. Of course he loves and appreciates his mom for everything, especially for putting up with his hyperactivity and poor attention span. But after not having the opportunity to know his dad after the divorce, spending time with him was something Joey longed to do.
All of Joey’s dreams seemed to be coming true as he was having a good time getting to know his dad at Storybook Land, and while being the star pitcher for his dad’s little league baseball team. Until one day, Carter (his father), the ex-alcoholic and obsessive compulsive man decided to flush Joey’s ADHD medication patches down the toilet. Carter was a fast talker, impulsive, and self-centered. However, he thought he was doing this for Joey’s own good. He wanted Joey to grow up to be “a real man” solving his own problems, quitting cold turkey, like he supposedly did regarding his alcoholism. As Joey thought he finally had a handle on his outbursts, his world began to unravel again, on one of the most important days of Carter’s little league coaching career. What will Joey do? Find out for yourself as you take a look into the lives of the well-meaning, yet discombobulated family of Joey Pigza.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Unfortunately, the reality of divorce, families in conflict, and those that suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are at an increase in today’s society. Award winning children’s book author Jack Gantos has found a way to help others see a small portion of what it is like for a youngster to be involved with all three dilemmas simultaneously.
Gantos’ comedic writing style in some areas of this piece can put the “fun” in dysfunctional. Episodes involving his accident-prone dog, Pablo, and very unconventional Grandma – who, by the way, got Joey to buy cigarettes for her using his emergency money, provide laughter in between the seriousness. Gantos also provides the voice of the characters in the audio-version of this story. The low raspy tone used while portraying Joey’s Grandma with emphysema, and rapid pace used while playing both Carter and Joey creates an undeniable aura that parallels their characteristics. Although some of the things they did were humorous in one respect due to outrageousness displayed, many of the challenges that each character face are not to be slighted. By involving both physical and mental health concerns which the members encountered, the author was able to show a realistic view of how people in similar situations choose to deal, or not deal, with these problems in everyday life.
The inclusion of Joey’s desire to know his dad, and free time during the summer, are plausible reasons for his mom to even entertain giving his dad a chance to reunite. His mom wanted him to have opportunities to meet friends. Time spent playing baseball on his dad’s team was one place she hoped he would connect with others his age. However, Joey’s main concern was to reconnect with his father. Along the way, he also realized that he wanted more than anything to be “normal.” These themes of family relationships and the search for belonging are among many that children of various ages can identify with while growing up. Readers will come to appreciate Joey’s tenacity and pure heart while overcoming his obstacles.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
NEWBERY HONOR BOOK 2001
ALA NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOK 2001
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2000
KIRKUS: “A tragic tale in many ways, but a triumph too.”
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: Starred Review - “Like its predecessor, Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, this high-voltage,
honest novel mixes humor, pain, fear and courage with deceptive ease.”
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…”
5. CONNECTIONS
· Wondering how this tale all began and what happened afterwards? Take a look at the prequel and sequels in the Joey Pigza series by Gantos:
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key (1998) – ISBN 9780312623555
What Would Joey Pigza Do? (2002) – ISBN 9780374399863
I Am Not Joey Pigza (2007) – ISBN 9780374399412
· Please visit the author’s website http://www.jackgantos.com.vhost.zerolag.com/
Students may do an author study while examining author’s purpose and writer’s craft.
· Other titles with father-son/family relationships and baseball themes:
Green, Tim. 2009. BASEBALL GREAT. ISBN 9780061626869
Lupica, Mike. 2008. SAFE AT HOME: A COMEBACK KIDS NOVEL. ISBN 9780399247163
Wallace, Rich. 2006. SOUTHPAW. ISBN 0670060534
Other resources used:
http://www.jackgantos.com.vhost.zerolag.com/
http://www.kirkusreviews.com
This book review was created as an assignment for a course at
Texas Woman’s University.
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