Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

This is an okay book written by Jack Gantos. 10-year-old Joey Pigza has a severe case of Attention Deficit Disorder. His alcoholic father abandoned the family when he was really young and then his mother left to go find him, leaving Joey to be raised by his rowdy grandmother. She lets the house stay messy and sometimes says mean things to Joey. At school he is constantly disobeying the teachers and getting hurt. It is decided that Joey should attend a special school for people with disabilities, until they can get his behavior properly medicated.

There were a few gross scenes and others that were funny. I felt sorry for the kid because of how mixed up his family life is and he tries to be good, but often can’t resist temptation. I sometimes think that ADD is diagnosed way too quickly in boys who are exhibiting normal rowdy behavior.