Bibliography- Gantos, Jack, Joey Pigza Loses Control, Listen Library, 2009, ISBN 31668042690542
Plot Summary- Joey is young boy with behavior problems who lives with his mother. She decides he needs to visit his father for about six weeks so the Joey and his mom take a drive to another city where Joey's father lives. Although Joey has not seen his father he is determined to gain the likes of his father. Joey's father posesses little postive parenting skills and thinks it's best to teach Joey how to take control of his life by not encouraging his to use his medicine as needed for his behavior. Joey knows whats best for him however he wants to please his father. Joey has a hard time by trying to live up to his fathers instruction and his keep his mothers instructions as well. Evidence of Joey's wanting his fathers approval is presents in the story when he compares his encounter of snipping the end of a girls nose to his father butting someones nose at a bar. Joey worked hard to connect with his distant father who suffered from the same behavior disorded as Joey but he still missed his mother and felt as it was a Joey for mom and a Joey for dad because of the two different life styles of each parent.
Critical Analysis- Gantos author and reader of this audio book does a wonderful job with voice inflections and keeping the listener engaged. Gantos lays out each charcters personality well enough that the listener can imagine how they look and sound. Gantos shows that Joey is an intellegent kid and is well aware of what is going on with him Joey says " I knew I could be wrong most of the time" Gantos make Joey a very in touch kid inspite of the behavior problems.
Excerpt (s) "Readers will sympathize with Joey and his father" Children's Literature
"This story is more than a message it is a truly memorable read" Booklist
" A tragic tale in many ways, but a triumph too" Kirkus
Awards- Newbery Honor Book 2001, Maine Student Book 2002, Parents Choice 2000 , 2003, White ravens 2001.
Connections- This would be a great book for middle school students who has ADD or know someone with ADD, this book could as be used to help students talk about alcohlism, or father son relationships.
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