A review by jcpdiesel21
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos

3.0

I have mixed feelings upon finishing. On one hand, I like how the story is told entirely from Joey's perspective, and seeing these events through his eyes is enlightening for readers who don't have ADHD and are unfamiliar with how it affects daily existence. I also appreciate that this book deals with some difficult topics by incorporating them into Joey's life. On the other hand, these challenging themes are dealt with on the surface level only, which is a little frustrating since it is fairly heavy material for a kids' book. Also, sometimes the story feels particularly dated, especially when it comes to Joey's experience in special education and the consequences he faces following a severe action.