Book Review: 'Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key'

Editor's note: Every week, staff at the  will suggest one book, DVD or other item to check out from the library.

• Type: Audio book
• Title: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
  
• Artist: Jack Gantos

Joey Pigza loves the days when he can sit still, wait patiently, and concentrate without bouncing from one thing to the next. He also loves when he can control his behavior enough to make good decisions.

But Joey often finds that most days don’t turn out this way for him due to his ADHD, his “dud meds” that wear off by lunchtime, and his chaotic life at home.

After a series of mishaps at school, including sticking his finger into a pencil sharpener, swallowing his house key, and accidentally hurting another student while running with scissors, Joey finds himself in a downtown special ed program and eventually finds what he’s wanted for so long – placement on a path to being “normal.”

Joey is a highly-likable, charming, and energetic boy who just needs some additional help and quality meds to function the way he wants to.

His story is heartbreaking at times, for even though he’s aware that he has it so much easier than some other kids in his school, he so badly just wants to be a good boy. Thankfully, with the right people and the right program, he’s able to tame his ADHD and unleash the kid he’s known was inside himself all along.

This audio book format is narrated by the book’s author, Jack Gantos, who allows Joey’s fun and bouncy personality to really shine through.

If you’d like to follow more of Joey Pigza’s adventures, check out Joey Pigza Loses Control and I Am Not Joey Pigza, as well as a biography of the author in Jack Gantos: An Author Kids Love.