Joey Pigza Loses Control facts for kids
Dust jacket of the hard-cover edition showing the Newbery Medallion
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| Author | Jack Gantos |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
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Publication date
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2000 |
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| Pages | 220 pp |
| Preceded by | Joey Pigza Swallowed The Key |
| Followed by | What Would Joey Do? |
Joey Pigza Loses Control is an exciting book by Jack Gantos. It won a special award called the Newbery Honor. This book is a sequel, meaning it comes after Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Published in 2000, it tells the realistic story of a young boy named Joey. Joey faces challenges because he has ADHD, which affects how he focuses and acts.
Contents
Story Summary: Joey's Journey
This book follows Joey Pigza, a young boy with ADHD. The story starts with Joey, his mom, and his dog on a road trip. They are heading to his father's house. Joey is both excited and nervous about spending six weeks with his dad. He hasn't seen his father in many years.
Meeting His Dad
Joey has many "what if" questions about his dad. These questions show readers how a young boy with ADHD thinks. Joey's mom seems a bit impatient. She is also relieved about Joey's long stay with his father. This makes Joey feel a little better. He realizes his mom has her own worries, not just about him.
Joey has been using an arm patch for his ADHD medicine. This patch helps him "settle down and think." He starts to think about good things he wants to happen. When Joey finally meets his father, Carter, he feels a strange sense of familiarity. It's like meeting his old self, before the medicine. It's like meeting the hyperactive Joey he used to be.
Taking Control?
Carter, Joey's father, wants to make up for lost time. He decides to teach Joey how to "take control" of his own life. Carter believes this will help Joey become a "true winner." The first step Carter takes is flushing Joey's ADHD medication down the toilet.
Joey is nervous and unsure about this. But he follows his father's lead. The main conflict of the book is Joey trying to take control while also trying to please his dad. Joey starts to worry that things will go wrong, like they have before. Without his medicine, Joey slowly begins to lose control of his behavior and feelings. Throughout the story, he tries to find his own voice and understand what "control" really means for him.
Main Characters
- Joey Pigza: The main character. He is a young boy who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Carter Pigza: Joey's father. Joey spends six weeks of his summer with him.
- Fran Pigza: Joey's mom. She is loving but sometimes impatient.
- Granny Pigza: Carter's mother and Joey's grandmother.
- Leezy: Carter's girlfriend. Joey meets her during his visit.
- Pablo Pigza: Joey's small Chihuahua dog. Joey thinks of Pablo as his best friend.
Awards and Recognition
Joey Pigza Loses Control has received several important awards and honors:
- Newbery Medal Honor Book
- ALA Notable Book
- Publishers Weekly Best Book
- School Library Journal Best Book
- NY Times Book Review Notable Book
- BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
- Booklist Editors' Choice
- Horn Book Fanfare Book
- Booklinks Lasting Choice Selection
