Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

They say I'm wired bad, or wired sad, but there's no doubt about it -- I'm wired.

Joey Pigza's got heart, he's got a mom who loves him, and he's got dud meds, which is what he calls the Ritalin pills that are supposed to even out his wild mood swings. Sometimes Joey makes bad choices. He learns the hard way that he shouldn't stick his finger in the pencil sharpener, or swallow his house key, or run with scissors. Joey ends up bouncing around a lot - and eventually he bounces himself all the way downown, into the district special-ed program, which could be the end of the line. As Joey knows, if he keeps making bad choices, he could just fall between the cracks for good. But he is determined not to let that happen.

In this antic yet poignant new novel, Jack Gantos has perfect pitch in capturing the humor, the off-the-wall intensity, and the serious challenges that life presents to a kid dealing with hyper-activity and related disorders. This title has Common Core connections.

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key is a 1998 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature.

Author: Jack Gantos
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
Published: 10/14/1998
Pages: 160
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 8.52h x 5.72w x 0.62d
ISBN: 9780374336646
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.9
Point Value: 5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 29525 / Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key


Award: Sasquatch Award - Winner
Award: National Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Iowa Teen Award - Nominee
Award: Maine Student Book Award - Third Place
Award: Iowa Children's Choice (ICCA) Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 10/26/1998 pg. 67
Booklist 12/15/1998 pg. 752
Kirkus Review - Children 10/01/1998 pg. 1457
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/1998 pg. 65 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style
ALA Notable Children's Books 01/01/1999 pg. 1303
SLJ's Best Books 12/01/1998 pg. 25
Booklist 12/15/2001 pg. 729
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/1999 pg. 65 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style
School Library Journal 12/01/1998
School Library Journal 09/01/2007 pg. 58

About the Author
Jack Gantos has written books for people of all ages, from picture books and middle-grade fiction to novels for young adults and adults. His works include Hole in My Life, a memoir that won the Michael L. Printz and Robert F. Sibert Honors; the Joey Pigza series, which include a Newbery Honor book and a National Book Award Finalist; Dead End in Norvelt, winner of the Newbery Medal and the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction; and the Rotten Ralph series.