Plot Summary

Joey Pigza Loses Control

Jack Gantos
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Joey Pigza Loses Control

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1998

Book Brief

Jack Gantos

Joey Pigza Loses Control

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1998
Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Contemporary

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

800L

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Super Short Summary

In Jack Gantos’s Joey Pigza Loses Control, Joey Pigza spends six weeks with his estranged, alcoholic father, Carter, who coaches a baseball team and insists that Joey stop taking his ADHD medication. As Joey’s symptoms return and his hyperactivity and anxiety increase, he struggles to cope alone while trying to earn his father's approval and learning critical life lessons about control and self-reliance. The book discusses issues surrounding addiction.

Emotional

Challenging

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.3

5,378 ratings

66%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Jack Gantos' Joey Pigza Loses Control is praised for its authentic portrayal of a boy managing ADHD. The narrative is compelling, while the character development, particularly Joey's relationship with his father, is noteworthy. Some critics, however, find the pacing uneven, and the father's recklessness can be unsettling for younger readers. Overall, it's a heartfelt and impactful story.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Joey Pigza Loses Control?

Readers who enjoy Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos are typically upper elementary to middle school students who appreciate heartfelt, humorous stories with complex, relatable characters. Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney and Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan will find similar enjoyment in Joey’s adventures.

4.3

5,378 ratings

66%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

Joey Pigza Loses Control is a sequel to Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, and both books were National Book Award Finalists, showcasing Jack Gantos's compelling narrative style and exploration of complex themes.

Jack Gantos drew from his own experiences with ADHD to create the character of Joey, allowing readers to empathize with Joey's challenges and adventures in a relatable way.

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The character of Joey Pigza has resonated with many readers over the years, leading the series to be celebrated for its honest and humorous portrayal of a young boy dealing with hyperactivity and family dynamics.

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Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Contemporary

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

800L

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