Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

(1998, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Jack Gantos)

Average Rating by Parents & Educators

They rate this title on for age 5 and up.

They give it three stars

Based on 7 reviews

Average Rating by Kids

They rate this title on for age 3 and up.

They give it three stars

Based on 16 reviews

Have you read it? Review It!

Most Recent Reviews

 

Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say

  1. 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.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 1.0

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 2.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Great Book for 9th Graders

    A lot of kids I know really enjoy reading this book because the protagonist is someone who feels the same way they do...They are so used to people getting fed up with them and saying things like, "why can't you just sit still for a while?" Here is a protagonist who has to hold on to his chair until his knuckles turn white or he may just explode out of his chair and hit the ceiling. A believable story of a young man who consistantly tries to do the "right thing" though the right thing, just like in real life, doesn't always go as planned.

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

 

Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say

  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 for age 2 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 2 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  5. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Joey Pigza swallowed a key

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Nice

    i just started to read the book and it's all right for now

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 2.0

    its OK

    its funny and a good book 4 most kids 8-10

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Joey Pigza Swallowed th key

    this book was very interesting my child liked it alot it was grusom at times and i only recall one bad word!!

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Loved It!

    I loved this book so much and I can relate to it because my brother has problems like Joey and they both mean well but things happen that they can't control. A very good book. I just wish that I could go into the book and be his friend because I felt so bad!

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I laughed by head off

    I love how joey is so innonent and means well I thought that he was so crazy when he did the spin thing I started laughing!!

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    pretty good book for anyone

  15. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A hilarious book for everyone!

    I think Joey Pigza swallowed the key is a great book! FUNNY,FUNNY BOOK! It got my whole class laughing!

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Go Joe !

    This Book is so good! I love it!

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