Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

I love everything written by Jack Gantos, but the Joey Pizga series is so fun.

With his unnamed diagnosis (most likely ADHD), Joey is often wild and impulsive and gets into all sorts of trouble.

My son has moaned that I bring home too many books about kids having a hard time, and Joey Pizga is a kid who has struggles, but his difficulties are balanced by the funny and shocking situations into which he gets himself. And he wants so much to be better!

This middle grade novel doesn’t have anything to do with ants, but it has everything to do with human behavior. And part of what we do when we observe ants and other living creatures is try to understand our own behavior. Harvard, the character in my book, and Joey both have a problem that makes them act out in ways they can’t always control. In an alternate universe, I’d love to see Harvard and Joey care for the ants in Harvard’s ant farm together.

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key recalls my days teaching at a “special school” for kids who had a variety of neurodivergent behaviors and ways of being in the world. Joey reminds me of several of my brilliant, exasperating, fantastically-minded, and extremely energetic students. Joey is full of heart and excitement – and he gets so excited that sometimes he makes terrible choices. The book is antic and intense – just like Joey – and I totally empathized with Joey’s choices (both good and bad). Highly recommended for anyone who loves kids, or was once a kid. And if you’ve forgotten… show more.

Narrator Joey Pigza is wired. He can’t sit still or follow the rules. He can’t even listen to the rules. It isn’t that he’s consciously getting into trouble. His body moves before he knows what it’s doing. He bounces off walls (literally), jumps off roofs, and swallows his house key—multiple times. The book is both hilarious and heartwrenching as Joey tries to be good, but things just never go his way. I love Joey’s voice and the insight into what it’s like to live with ADHD.