A sympathetic, detail-rich portrait of a boy with severe behaviour issues.

This book has been out and earning recommendations for years-there’s probably not a library system out there that doesn’t have a copy or two banging around-but somehow, I’ve managed to miss it-until now.

Joey Pigza describes himself as wired.  Offered only “dud meds” and unable to control his impulses, Joey ricochets from one thoughtless deed to another-sharpening his fingers, jumping from roofs, and yes, swallowing the key-putting himself in danger and exhausting everyone who comes in contact with him.  However, after one accident too many and a suspension from school, Joey just might get the help he needs to pull things together.

The first person narration deftly handles two difficult tasks at once-it invites the reader into Joey’s mind and shows how his behaviour appears from the outside.  It’s the reader’s insight into the situation that makes Joey’s behaviour almost painful to watch-it seems to unfold with all the senseless inevitability of a car crash.  When Joey says he can’t help himself, it’s believable-after all, the reader has been along for the whole white-knuckle, tooth-rattling ride.

This book offers a deeply sympathetic, and more importantly, extremely understanding portrayal of a troubled kid.  For students, there’s a lot of information about why someone like Joey would act “like that”, without excusing his behaviour or bogging down the narrative.  For all the heaviness of the subject, the book is funny and appealing, moving from A to B with all the energy of its protagonist.

Reading Level:  5.2

Rating (out of five):  ★★★★

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key @Amazon.com