In the book, Joey lives with his mom and he goes to his dads house for six weeks. He starts to play baseball on his dads team. His position is starting pitcher. He has a hyperactive disorder, so he has to wear a medicine patch so he wont lose control and go nuts! Then his dad says he doesn't need them anymore, so he flushes them down the toilet. At first, things go fine, but then they get out of control.
A. F.

Joey Pigza is a kid who can get very hyper. His  parents are divorced and he doesn't see his father
often.  Joey's mother has always said his father was a  bigger version of him.  When Joey does get hyper, he can do a lot of crazy  things.  The teachers at school noticed this, and  suggested that he use a patch that supplies  medicine,  to help calm down.

Joey's father is an alcohol abuser and a  heavy  smoker.  The last time Joey's dad, Carter Pigza,
 was  arrested, he had two choices, jail or community  service.  He chose community service.  He was
 assigned  to coach a junior baseball team.  Joey was the  star  pitcher on the team.  One night his Dad wakes him  up  and takes him to the bathroom and dumps all Joey's  medication in the toilet.  The first couple of days  without his medication, Joey does fine.  Then, it  struck.  While pitching in the championship game,  he lost control and ran away.  He ended up at the  mall  and called his Mom.  A friend of Joey's Dad walked  into the mall and told him to come with her. They  waited until his Mom got there and then Joey left and  went home with his Mom and started on his  medication  again.

I would rate this book as OK.  It was  somewhat  exciting in some parts and lacking excitement in
 most  other parts. I would recommend this book to anyone  who  is looking for quick and easy reading. Joey Pigza  is  sometimes hyper and sometimes he is calm. The book  is  just like Joey, sometimes exciting and sometimes  dull.

Ryan M., Grade 5
George R. Hanaford Elementary
 
 

Please send student comments, suggestions, etc to: Joy Helmold helmold@snet.net
This page was updated January 15, 2002.