January 4, 2008

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key - by Jack Gantos

Have you ever swallowed your house key? Joey Pigza, who narrates this story about a year in his fictional life, did just that one day at school, along with a ton of other things that hurt himself and others. Joey is a good kid, at least that's what he tells us, but he's got "dud meds," which explains some of his wild behavior in school and at home. Joey has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and this is the story of how he and his family deal with that, and how he learns to live with his wild mood swings and tricky family situation. By the end of the book, you'll be sure to agree with Joey that he really is a good kid, but also a very funny one.

This is a great story for lovers of action, humor, school stories, and for anyone who enjoys interesting characters. The way the book is written in the first person makes it even more interesting, and may make you want to read the entire series. For more info, check out Jack Gantos' website at http://www.jackgantos.com/.