Bibliography:
Gantos, Jack. (2000). Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York, NY: Harper Trophy. ISBN 9781413108514.
Plot Summary:
Joey plans on spending 6 weeks to get to know his dad, whom he does not know well at all. His mother worries and makes sure he has money to phone home and always asks about his medicine. Joey, his dog Pablo, his grandmother, and father have an interesting few weeks when Joey stops taking his medicine. Without the medicine, Joey is liable to lose control. Torn between knowing what is best for him and wanting to please his dad, Joey is put in a difficult situation. How will he handle it?
Critical Analysis:
The character of Joey Pigza is fun-loving and hilarious. He is sort of a prankster and many students will identify with his high-energy character. Joey is put in many difficult situations and sometimes hesitates on how to handle them. Students learn the value of thinking their actions through in Joey Pigza Loses Control. Other characters in the book may remind students of adults in their own lives.
The setting is basic, taking place in a large city (Pittsburgh), with not too much detail about the surroundings in general. One particular place in the novel that was interesting was Storybook Land - the place where Joey's dad goes to think. Students who know nursery rhymes will find this place interesting.
Joey Pigza Loses Control sends the message to students that it is okay to be a little different. Joey has some good ways of dealing with his life trials and children will relate to that. Boys ages 3rd grade and up would most likely enjoy this novel, although girls will enjoy it as well. The book was easy to follow and engaging overall. After reading the novel I found out that Joey Pigza Loses Control is the sequel to Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Perhaps the background knowledge from the first book would benefit the reader.
Awards:
Newbery Honor Book
ALA Notable Book
Publishers Weekly Best Book
School Library Journal Best Book
NY Times Book Review Notable Book
Booklist Editors' Choice
Horn Book Fanfare Book
"Hilarious, harrowing, and ultimately heartening." -School Library Journal
"A truly memorable read." -Booklist
Connections:
*Suggest to readers who like sports or are new to taking medications like Joey.
*Series: Read other books in the "Joey Pigza" series including Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key and What Would Joey do?
*Have students write their own journals in Joey's situation. Have students choose several events in the book that spoke to them in some way and write a response to the event as Joey.
*Joey feels torn between his mother and father, wanting to please them both. Discuss with students when they have ever felt pulled in multiple directions.
*(A few interesting and fun ideas can also be found here: http://kieferja.tripod.com/page3.htm)
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