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Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

(1998, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Jack Gantos)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Sympathetic, realistic portrait of boy with ADHD.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Joey misbehaves constantly, but never intentionally.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Accidental, including Joey tripping with scissors and cutting a girl's nose tip off. Joey's parents abandon him, his grandmother is mean, and he feels he's no good.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Joey's mom is an alcoholic.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Parents need to know that this is an entertaining, sympathetic, and accurate depiction of a child with ADHD.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about ADHD. Do you know someone who acts like Joey? Do you ever feel like he does? Do you think his family could do a better job helping him? Do you like Joey? Why or why not?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key?
  •  I think this book is

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  •  Any concerns?

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See all 23 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    Great book for ages 11 and up because you can really get a sense from the main character of what it's like to be growing up with ADHD. There is a lot of drinking that his mom and grandma do and there are some disturbing parts with his mom and grandma.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy and give it 0.0

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    i think it good for kid to read because i teaches them education by warning them of what not to do,such as running with scissors.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  5. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    Read this book WITH your kids, and discuss!

    I loved this book. Great material for discussing behavior, consequences, and attitude with young people. I would not let my kids read it without discussion, This book doesn't offer moral judgments about pharmaceuticals, ADHD, personal responsibility, chemical imbalances, etc. It just paints a powerful picture, from a kid's perspective, of what a kid feels. The cruelty from other kids, the low self worth, coping with caregivers who may have their own shortcomings, etc. I believe pharmaceuticals (psychotropic drugs) are WAY over-prescribed, and that the whole psychiatric establishment is prone to corruption by big pharma, and values treatment over recovery. Nevertheless, this book tends to portray the industry in a positive light, and reminds me that for all its shortcomings many people are truly helped. Great fodder for getting kids to think about consequences, other people's feelings, judging others, making a difference in the world, and coping with life's challenges. I recommend - but only if you read it, too, and discuss.

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