1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gantos, Jack. 2002. JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL. Harrisonburg , Virginia
2. PLOT SUMMARY
This story begins when Joey’s mom sends him to visit his dad, who is an alcoholic, for six weeks during the summer. He is very apprehensive about spending time with his father for the first time since he has missed out on so much of his life. On the car to visit his father Joey drives his mom crazy being your typical hyperactive child. Joey learns to face his problems and comes out of top despite the circumstances.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Gantos’ story includes a plot full of trouble, and discusses the issues of alcoholism, hyper activity, family struggles, absence of a parent, divorce, and worries about losing control of ones actions. Readers may be able to relate to this some what dysfunctional family in some way as well as being effected by ADD. If they have not personally been effected by these issues they may know someone who has been in these situations. The story is written in first person so readers are able to get the story from Joey’s own perspective. Throughout the story Joey learns a lot of life lesson about himself regarding his medication for ADD and to what makes a family.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
*Starred review in PUBLISHER WEEKLY: “Like its predecessor, this high-voltage, honest novel mixes humor, pain, fear, and courage with deceptive ease. Struggling to please everyone even as he sees himself hurtling toward disaster, Joey emerges as a sympathetic hero, and his heart of gold never loses its shine.”
* SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Readers will be drawn in immediately to the boy’s gripping first-person narrative and be pulled pell-mell through episodes that are at once hilarious, harrowing, and ultimately heartening as Joey grows to understand himself and the people around him.”
* Booklist: “Ganto’s skillful pacing, sly humor, and in-depth characterization make it a truly memorable read.”
*Newberry Honor Award
5. CONNECTIONS
*Characters- Have the students make a list of Joey’s actions while taking his medication and without his medication. Then ask the students whether they feel Joey should take his medication. Why or why not?
*Brown-Bag Book Report
*Have the students write a diary entry from Joey’s perspective about one of the days he spent with his father.
*Other Joey Pigza books:
-I AM NOT JOEY PIGZA
-WHAT WOULD JOEY DO?
-JOEY PIGZA SWALLOWED THE KEY
No comments:
Post a Comment