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gem114's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key is an adorable middle-grade novel about a neurodiverse third grader who is struggling to learn to cope with his ADHD. I honestly think this novel should be required reading for teachers of all grade levels. I loved Joey, empathized with his mother, and was thankful for the educators and health professionals in his life who made him feel special and empowered him to learn to cope (with the help of medicine and self-regulation strategies) without feeling ashamed. Were all the adults in his novel perfect? Absolutely not, which is one of the reasons it's even more important for adults to read this book. I do also think it would be engaging for kids as well simply because of all the antics (both "fun" and dangerous) that Joey gets up to.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, and Child abuse
Minor: Alcoholism
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