42 pages • 1 hour read
Jack GantosJoey Pigza Swallowed the Key
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1998A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, 10-year-old Joey, dealing with hyperactivity and impulsivity, narrates his struggles with unpredictable behavior, leading to various conflicts at school and home. After an incident at school, Joey is transferred to a Special Education Center where he receives effective medication and therapy, helping him find stability and a hopeful future. Topics in the book include injury, family abandonment, and alcohol abuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jack Gantos' Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key provides a poignant and humorous exploration of ADHD through its lively protagonist. Reviewers praise its realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by those with the condition, though some critique the repetitive narrative and predictability. The empathy in Gantos' writing, however, deeply resonates with both young readers and adults.
Who Should Read Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key?
A reader who would enjoy Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos is likely interested in realistic, middle-grade fiction that explores themes of ADHD, family dynamics, and personal growth. Comparable to readers of Holes by Louis Sachar and Wonder by R.J. Palacio, they appreciate stories with strong, emotionally complex characters.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
890L