Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key is a children's novel by Jack Gantos, published in 1998. It is the first of a series of books featuring the character Joey Pigza. The book was a National Book Award finalist.[1]
 | |
| Author | Jack Gantos |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
Publication date | 1998 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 160 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0374336646 |
| Followed by | Joey Pigza Loses Control |
Plot
editThe book describes the life of a child named Joey Pigza who frequently gets into trouble at school due to his erratic behavior. He has a habit of swallowing a key attached to a piece of string in order to pull it back out again, and on one instance he forgets to attach a string to the key, preventing him from pulling it back up. At school, Joey puts his finger in a pencil sharpener, runs around with scissors, and cuts the tip of a girl's nose off. Pigza is on medication which he takes regularly, but it doesn't seem to be very effective.[2] As a consequence of slicing off the tip of his classmate's nose, Pigza is suspended from school and sent to a special education center. Joey Pigza fears that "something [is] wrong inside" him, a fear which escalates until the medications he is on are readjusted, and he feels he is able to make better decisions.[3] The book implies that Joey Pigza is dealing with a condition such as ADHD, adjustment disorder, depression, or conduct disorder, but an exact diagnosis is never specified.[2]
Reception
editIn a starred review for The Horn Book Magazine, Jennifer Brabander praised the complex characterizations of Joey and the adults in his life and the book's frantic pace, reflecting Joey's narration.[4] Kristi Beavin, writing for Horn Book Magazine, also applauded Gantos' ability to craft Joey's voice.[5] While exploring disabilities in adolescent literature Abbye E. Meyer criticized that Joey never takes pride in his disability but instead is able to find self-acceptance only because of his intelligence.[6]
The book received numerous honors and awards including being National Book Award finalist, American Library Association notable children's book, and School Library Journal's book of the year.[7]
References
edit- ^ "National Book Award Winners and Finalists since 1950" (PDF). National Book Foundation. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ a b Perring, Christian (26 April 2002). "Review - Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key". Metapsychology Online Review. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ "Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ Brabander, J. M. (1998). Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Horn Book Magazine, 74(6), 729–730. Retrieved from ebsco.
- ^ Beavin, K. (1999). Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Horn Book Magazine, 75(6), 763. Retrieved from ebsco.
- ^ Meyer, A. E. (2013). “But she’s not retarded”: Contemporary Adolescent Literature Humanizes Disability but Marginalizes Intellectual Disability. Children's Literature Association Quarterly 38(3), 267-283. Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved December 27, 2018, from Project MUSE database.
- ^ Jack Gantos. (2015). In Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit, MI: Gale.
