- Gantos, J. (2007). I am not Joey Pigza. New York: Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux.
Summary
Joey Pigza is having issues fitting in to school and comes home one day to find that his estranged father has changed his name, and everyone in the family, because he has won a cash prize in the lottery. His family reunites tentatively to see the diner and shack his father has purchased to repair and run in a new town. As Joey struggles with his own identity and worth through adolescence his father continues to make poor choices like a "re-wedding" ceremony to Joey's mother and spending Joey's savings at a sports bar. The real meaning of family does appear near the end of the book, but the ramifications are far from over.
My Impressions
What a great adventure! I really enjoyed reading I Am Not Joey Pigza because of the life Joey leads that seems to be the dream of most kids. His father keeps him out of school to run the diner, goes to a sports bar, sees his parents get back together and so much more seems to fulfill the wants of lots of students I have talked with. This is a good book for students getting into older chapter books who want to read about someone that has the same problems they have, but worse. It is also a good introduction to fiction since there is so much humor in the book.
Reviews
Booth, H. (2008). I Am Not Joey Pigza. [Review of I Am Not Joey Pigza, by J. Gantos]. Booklist, 104(14), 74.
With the return of his good-for-nothing dad, Joey Pigza embarks on a new batch of adventures in this fourth title in the popular Pigza series. Joey’s dad, whose new business venture is a bee-themed diner, renames everyone in the family (their surname is now Heinz), including the dogs. Joey (now called Freddy) struggles with his dad’s return and wonders if he can forgive him for the past. As creator of the hyperactive Joey character, Gantos brings empathy and understanding to his reading, fleshing out Joey rather than making him seem like a caricature. Joey’s antics could easily lend themselves to an overly dramatic portrayal—after all, he jumps off a roof, gets into paintball wars with his dad, and dodges a truant officer—but Gantos tells the story more subtly, in a manner that illuminates and respects Joey’s viewpoint. These episodes don’t spring
forth from left field; they make sense in Joey’s mind. Similarly, Joey’s internal struggles, such as trying to forgive his father, understanding the importance of taking his medication, or accepting his mother’s pregnancy and wondering what kind of brother he will be, seem all the more poignant through Gantos’ compassionate and sometimes humorous reading. Pigza fans will love this outstanding audio. --Heather Booth
Library Usage
This is a good book to read as a chapter book for older elementary students, or to recommend to a student that needs to get into fiction books for curriculum. There is lots of humor and because the hero is a boy it appeals to some boys to check out. I think it is a great circulation fiction for those needing or wanting to read something new in fiction.
forth from left field; they make sense in Joey’s mind. Similarly, Joey’s internal struggles, such as trying to forgive his father, understanding the importance of taking his medication, or accepting his mother’s pregnancy and wondering what kind of brother he will be, seem all the more poignant through Gantos’ compassionate and sometimes humorous reading. Pigza fans will love this outstanding audio. --Heather Booth
Library Usage
This is a good book to read as a chapter book for older elementary students, or to recommend to a student that needs to get into fiction books for curriculum. There is lots of humor and because the hero is a boy it appeals to some boys to check out. I think it is a great circulation fiction for those needing or wanting to read something new in fiction.
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