I Am Not Joey Pigza

I Am Not Joey Pigza follows a young boy with ADHD whose life takes an unexpected turn when his father returns with a lottery win and a new identity. Joey's parents decide to change the family's names and start fresh, pulling Joey from his stable routine into an uncertain new life. The story centers on Joey's struggle to maintain his sense of self while his father pursues a plan to run a diner, forcing Joey to leave school and work in the family business. His mother offers little support, caught up in the excitement of spending newfound wealth and reconnecting with Joey's unreliable father. Through family upheaval and personal challenges, Joey must navigate complex relationships, forgiveness, and questions of identity. The novel is the fourth installment in Jack Gantos' series about Joey Pigza and his experiences managing ADHD amidst family instability. The story explores themes of authenticity, family loyalty, and the tension between accepting people as they are while protecting oneself from their destructive behaviors. Through Joey's perspective, the narrative examines how children cope with adult inconsistency and the burden of parental expectations.

Readers appreciate the honest portrayal of Joey's struggles with ADHD and his complex relationship with his unreliable father. Parents and teachers note the book helps children understand living with ADHD and family challenges. Readers highlight: - Joey's authentic voice and internal thoughts - Balance of humor with serious topics - Relatable family dynamics - Growth of Joey's character Common criticisms: - Too much focus on Carter Pigza (Joey's father) - Less engaging than previous books in series - Some found the plot meandering - Parent concerns about mature themes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (80+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "The emotional depth really resonated with my students" - 5th grade teacher on Goodreads "Not as strong as the first two books but still captures Joey's unique perspective" - Parent reviewer on Amazon "Helps kids understand that family isn't always perfect" - School librarian review

Joey Kemp Takes on the World by Gordon Korman A hyperactive teen navigates family upheaval and school challenges while learning to manage his ADHD.

Rules by Cynthia Lord The sister of a boy with autism struggles with family dynamics and her own identity as she learns about acceptance and understanding.

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt A foster child works through trust issues and family complications while finding her place in a new household.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt A sixth-grade girl with dyslexia conceals her inability to read until a teacher helps her understand her learning differences.

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor A twelve-year-old girl maintains resilience through unstable living conditions and an unreliable mother while creating her own definition of normal.

🎯 The Joey Pigza series was partly inspired by Jack Gantos's own experiences with ADHD as a child. 📚 Jack Gantos won the Newbery Medal in 2012 for "Dead End in Norvelt," though not for this series. 🎬 This book is the fourth installment in the critically acclaimed Joey Pigza series, which has helped many young readers better understand and relate to ADHD. 📝 Gantos kept detailed journals throughout his life, starting in elementary school, which he uses as inspiration for his writing - a practice he strongly encourages in young writers. 🏆 The first book in the series, "Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key," was a National Book Award finalist and earned a Newbery Honor.