Joey Pigza Loses Control

Bibliography
Gantos, Jack. 2000. Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York: Farrar Straus, and Giroux. ISBN: 0374399891.

Plot Summary
In this sequel to Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, Joey is taking medication for his attention deficit disorder and is much more in control of himself. In this book, Joey is going to spend his summer with his estranged father and is excited about getting to know his father. In the process of knowing his father Joey finds out that his father is an alcoholic and also as wired as he was. His father wants Joey to get rid of his medication believing that Joey is normal and does need any medication. Joey also wants so much to be part of his father’s life that he agrees to go without medication, but soon sees his old self coming out; Joey was getting out of control.

Critical Analysis
A very well told story written from the perspective of a person suffering from an attention deficit disorder. It is an interesting read as readers can see what is really going on in the head of a person with disability. Joey is a very loveable character, full of energy, and very mature too. Joey is fully aware of what is going on with him and with his new medication he has more self control. Jack Gantos has very nicely brought forth the vulnerability of Joey to get to know his father and his need to be loved by his father. Gantos has adeptly shown how Joey is torn between his mother and father and like any other normal child Joey secretly wishes for his separated parents to get together. The language in the story is very realistic and reflects the ways children usually talk and feel. The story deals with the typical facets of contemporary realism like need for acceptance, coping with disability, and coping with separation of parents. The story is very appealing and the plot is very fresh. Readers would never have thought that Joey’s father will force him to give up his medications and readers will want to know how Joey gets himself out of this situation. The story has a blend of humor, emotions, and excitement making it a very enjoyable book to read.

Children who loved Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key will also love this sequel.