Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key Study Guide & Plot Synopsis

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key Plot Summary

Preview of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key Summary:

"Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key" by Jack Gantos is the story of young Joey Pigza, who suffers from attention deficit disorder. The story follows Joey, showing the journey of a boy on a path of destruction who through medication, care, and behavioral modification is able to become a productive member of his class.

Joey tells the story and knows that he is not like other children. He knows that his actions sometimes are wrong, but he feels unable to control himself. Joey is not a bad child, but his actions often lead to bad results. His medication for ADHD appear to last only through the morning, and his afternoon behavior is therefore out of control. His father abandoned him and his mother when Joey was in kindergarten. Joey's mother, Fran, who is an alcoholic, followed his father, and left Joey in the care of his grandmother. Years later she returned,...
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