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Title: What Would Joey Do? (Joey Pigza Books)
ISBN: 0060544031
Author:
Jack Gantos
Publicate Date: 2004-04-01
Publish: 2004-04-01
List Price: $5.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $1.49
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Merchant Price: $5.99
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Best Book I have ever read!
I have read alot of books, but this is my all-time favorite. This book will make you laugh and cry. Once I started reading this book, I just couldn't put it down. It is both humorous and realistic at the same time. I know some people say that this book is inapropriate, but I don't see how.It is a great read for everyone, not just children. I will recommend this book to everyone! Don't listen to these people that say it sucks. So what are you waiting for? Go buy this book!!!!!
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2: Great in and of itself
You'd think a bunch of books about the same kid would eventually become repetitive, and this is what I always expect with each new Joey book. However, the books always surprise me with a new theme wonderfully dealt with. The first book's theme was, of course, ADHD; the second book was about Joey trying to develop a relationship with his nut of a father. This one is about Joey dealing with everyone going crazy around him, and not having time to focus on himself.
The ONE problem I had with this book is that Joey's mother, who in earlier books had been an island of stability, suddenly goes crazy and seems to forget what a good mother she used to be. While this sudden change bothered me at the beginning, I quickly forgot about it and started focusing on how Joey was dealing with the issues. Joey is delightful. one of the greatest features of the book is Joey's label maker, which he uses to stick hilarious (or sometimes serious and troubled) labels on everything - a very funny and original way of expressing himself.
Joey's grandmother is insightful as always. As she says once, she can view all the goings-on as if on a stage, and knows exactly what's going on and what advice to give Joey - in her usual humorously cantankerous voice. New characters Mrs. Lapp and Olivia are nice additions, especially Mrs. Lapp, who is so nice but so oblivious. Joey's daily answers to her "what would jesus do?" and Mrs. Lapps's reactions are sweet and funny.
At the end, not everything gets worked out, but Joey learns to accept this and not sacrifice himself worrying about other people's problems, which is the point of the book. Very insightful, funny, and touching, "What Would Joey Do?" is a wonderful book.
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3: Joey Pigza Loses Control
Good sequel to Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key.
I haven't finished it yet but I can't wait to!
Also bought the third book in series.
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4: Horrible book for children under 14 years old
Joey Pigza, although triumphant in the end, is the saddest book and story line I have ever read. I read the book with my fourth grader and we absolutely wept together through the last four chapters of the book. Between the neglect and violence of his parents and his well intentioned but sometimes emotionally abusive grandmother, Joey's world is going to leave us depressed for a long time to come. I'm happy for Joey that his character grows so much and comes out a better person for all of the trials he endures, but this book does not need to be in an elementary school library nor does it need to be read by tender hearted souls who hurt for the real Joeys in our society.
My fourth grader wants to add that she cried until she felt like she was going to vomit. Not only because Grandma died but because Joey is left completely alone in the world and because of the neglect he endured by his idiotic, selfish and totally immature parents.
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5: Excellent Way to conclude the Joey Pigza Trilogy!
Joey has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). He can't focus, can't be understood by most, can't ease his tension, excitement, stress, and anxiety much at all. Joey lives with his alcoholic, trouble-filled mother and dying, smoking-fiend grandmother. Joey's father is out of the picture: his parents are divorced, and his father never was and will probably never be the father every dad should be. Occasionally, when Joey's mother and father do see or even exist in each others presence, conflict and violence break out almost instantaneously. Joey has gone through numerous schools, none ever working for him. Joey has two friends: his Chihuahua, Pablo, and a blind girl named Olivia, who is the only other student in his "school"- a devout Christian woman who teaches Joey and her daughter in her home. To just name a few examples, most can obliviously conclude on the apparent difficulties that lie in Joey Pigza's life, every single day. However, in the final book of the Joey Pigza trilogy, Joey goes up against all odds and shows the world his true character- not the dysfunctional outcast he appears to be, but the kind, positive, humble kid he actually is, with a helping hand and a heart of gold to all.
With a "Mr. Helpful" label taped to his forehead and a smile on his face, Joey Pigza takes you through his last story in What Would Joey Do?. With more pressing issues arising and more problems being solved, Joey discovers real facts of life. In this final book, he tries his best to make himself the best person he can be- less of a problem-starter; more of a problem-solver. Not only does he help others, but he also realizes that he can and is able to make choices on his own; that he is responsible and mature enough, ADHD or no ADHD, to function and live like every other extraordinary person. What Would Joey Do? and the Joey Pigza trilogy is by far one of the best young-adult series I have ever read, and I would recommend it to anyone of any age who loves a great read on overcoming weaknesses and living life to the fullest.
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