dancingprince's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
yapha's review against another edition
3.0
In this fifth and final book about Joey Pigza, he and his mother and his new baby brother are back in the house that Joey grew up in with his grandmother. Joey is still struggling with managing his meds (his mother has hidden them) and stopping himself from spinning out of control. When his mother checks herself into the hospital because of postpartum depression, Joey is left alone to take care of the baby. Luckily, Olivia, the meanest blind-girl in the world and Joey's former girlfriend, shows up to lend a hand. As they try to survive one day at a time, Joey is ever watchful for his unbalanced father, both fearing that he will return and hoping that he does. Will Joey ever have the stable family that he longs for? An emotional roller coaster of a book. Recommended for fans of the series, grades 5-8.
piratelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Last in the series; disturbing, laugh-out-loud funny at times, tragic, hopeful
caryleliza's review against another edition
3.0
So strange and surprising and fun, but I felt like I was missing something. I think I need to go back to the beginning and read Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Loved the word-play.
voya_k's review against another edition
3.0
Joey, you are a mess. But a loveable one. You sure do try your best.
What is up with the depression and anxiety metaphorical black box inside of your mean blind girlfriend? That is extremely intense.
These books are more out there character-wise and emotionally honest about mental illness than most stuff for adults. Do kids like them? Do Joey-type kids like them?
What is up with the depression and anxiety metaphorical black box inside of your mean blind girlfriend? That is extremely intense.
These books are more out there character-wise and emotionally honest about mental illness than most stuff for adults. Do kids like them? Do Joey-type kids like them?
nanette_zorn's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this last touching view into Joey's life. We listened to this installment, read by the author. I enjoyed the authors comments at the end of disk 3 as well as his plea to people everywhere to give children with ADD a chance, a second chance, a third chance...
I was moved by the main character's relationship with the people in his life, from his neglectful dad, his hardened blind girlfriend - jaded but so incredibly insightful about her own disability - his helpless but "perfect" baby brother, even the pizza delivery man. I learned so much from Gantos's portrayal of Joey and I will strive to live by the moral unearthed in the conclusion of this series. Thank you, Jack Gantos, for introducing Joey into our lives. I feel a better person for having known him.
I was moved by the main character's relationship with the people in his life, from his neglectful dad, his hardened blind girlfriend - jaded but so incredibly insightful about her own disability - his helpless but "perfect" baby brother, even the pizza delivery man. I learned so much from Gantos's portrayal of Joey and I will strive to live by the moral unearthed in the conclusion of this series. Thank you, Jack Gantos, for introducing Joey into our lives. I feel a better person for having known him.
sentunderscore's review against another edition
4.0
The final book!!!
Even though I know all stories don't have picture-perfect endings, I was disappointed in this one.
Even though I know all stories don't have picture-perfect endings, I was disappointed in this one.
Spoiler
I was hoping for a brighter future for Joey. At least get him away from his parents! Where this ended, it seemed like the cycle was just going to start all over again. :/library_brandy's review against another edition
4.0
After a year of being ineffectually home schooled, Joey is about to start over back in school, and he's looking forward to a return to normalcy. Sure, he has a new brother, and their dad walked out on them again, and their mom is hiding Joey's meds. Joey is getting through his first day of school pretty well when his mom calls, begging him to come home to take care of the baby while she checks herself into the hospital. With no one to turn to, Joey does just that.
it's been a while since I've visited Joey's world, but it seems like he's grown up a lot. I don't have a clear sense of how old he is now, but he's handling far more than a kid should have to. Kudos to mom for getting help, but pulling Joey out of school to care for a baby and keep house like an adult is asking way too much-- but then we've always known that Joey got the short straw in the parent lottery.
Still, Joey is resourceful and tries his best to stay "pawzzz-i-tive," and his efforts pay off-- but it's heartbreaking to watch him need to cope with all this parental drama again.
it's been a while since I've visited Joey's world, but it seems like he's grown up a lot. I don't have a clear sense of how old he is now, but he's handling far more than a kid should have to. Kudos to mom for getting help, but pulling Joey out of school to care for a baby and keep house like an adult is asking way too much-- but then we've always known that Joey got the short straw in the parent lottery.
Still, Joey is resourceful and tries his best to stay "pawzzz-i-tive," and his efforts pay off-- but it's heartbreaking to watch him need to cope with all this parental drama again.
squeakadillo's review against another edition
5.0
This just shot to the top of my Newbery-Eligible Fiction list. Jack Gantos is a national treasure.
missyp's review against another edition
4.0
When I finished what I thought was the last Joey Pigza book, I was despondent. I loved Joey Pigza, and I knew I was going to miss him. Well, what a delight to see The Key That Swallowed Joey Pigza on the new books shelf. And how wonderful to meet his baby brother, Carter. And to encounter Olivia, the most angry, difficult character ever depicted in children's literature. (And IMHO one of the best depictions of a person with a disability.) Anyway, Joey is still Joey, only better. While he's not hampered by his less-than-helpful parents, it's still hard for a kid to take care of a baby, even if Carter is the perfect Pigza. And Olivia is still Olivia, only better and badder. It's funny and sad and wacky. It's perfect Pigza. But I'm sad again. I've heard that this truly is the final book. Oh, well. As I get older, I'm getting more forgetful. Maybe I can wait a few years and start over again with Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key.
A note to my Illinois librarian friends: this review is in honor and loving memory of Sharon Ball, truly the perfect Pigza of a children's librarian. It is Sharon who first introduced me to Joey...and Stanley Yelnats, the gerbils of Kate Duke, and Crysanthemum and other friends of Kevin Henkes.
A note to my Illinois librarian friends: this review is in honor and loving memory of Sharon Ball, truly the perfect Pigza of a children's librarian. It is Sharon who first introduced me to Joey...and Stanley Yelnats, the gerbils of Kate Duke, and Crysanthemum and other friends of Kevin Henkes.