What Would Joey Do?

Joey Pigza faces new challenges in this third installment of Jack Gantos' series about a boy managing ADHD, family tensions, and the complexities of growing up. After his father's motorcycle accident and subsequent disappearance, Joey begins homeschooling with Mrs. Lapp and her daughter Olivia. Joey must navigate his mother's new relationship, his father's erratic behavior, and the task of building a friendship with Olivia, a blind girl who resists his attempts at connection. The arrangement becomes more complicated as Joey tries to balance his grandmother's wishes, his schoolwork, and his own needs. As events unfold, Joey works to find solutions to problems that seem beyond his control, including his family's instability and Olivia's determination to return to boarding school. The story centers on Joey's efforts to make the right choices while dealing with the adults in his life who struggle with their own decisions. The novel explores themes of personal responsibility, the limitations of helping others, and the challenge of defining oneself separately from family dynamics. Through Joey's experiences, the story examines how young people learn to set boundaries and prioritize their own well-being.

Readers note this book offers a more serious tone than previous Joey Pigza installments while maintaining humor. On Goodreads, parents and teachers mention the book helps children understand ADHD through Joey's perspective. Readers appreciated: - Joey's growth and maturity in handling difficult situations - Realistic portrayal of family dysfunction - Balance of serious themes with comic moments - Insights into living with ADHD Common criticisms: - Less entertaining than earlier books in series - Some found the grandmother character too harsh - Plot moves slower than previous installments One teacher noted: "My students with ADHD related strongly to Joey's internal thoughts and struggles." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (65 ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 (parents), 4/5 (kids) Several reviewers mentioned the book works better when read as part of the series rather than as a standalone.

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📚 Jack Gantos wrote parts of his first book while serving time in a federal prison for drug smuggling before becoming a celebrated children's author. 🎓 The Joey Pigza series has been widely praised for its realistic and sensitive portrayal of ADHD in children, helping reduce stigma around the condition. 🏆 The series has won multiple literary honors, including a National Book Award finalist nomination and a Newbery Honor. 🔍 Gantos draws from his own childhood experiences with attention issues to create Joey's authentic voice and perspective. 📝 The author kept detailed journals throughout his life, starting at age 10, which he uses as inspiration for his writing - a practice he now teaches in writing workshops.