Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key is a book about a young boy who struggles with Attention Deficit Disorder. The book is written from the perspective of Joey and the struggles he faces dealing with his disorder. His father left him and his mother when he was young and his alcoholic followed the father leaving Joey in the care of his grandmother who treats Joey less than great.
The book is a great read aloud book for students in the 5th grade. In my classroom we just finished reading it and the students responded well to the story. I think that it offers the students a behind the scenes look at a disability that is very difficult to explain. I think it gives the students an insight to what their peers that struggle with this disability are faced with.
I would also like to have this book in my classroom library for my students faced with the struggles of having ADD/ADHD. I think that it is a great book for them to read so that they have an understanding that they are not alone in this struggle.
I would also recommend this book to parents with students that have ADD/ADHD. I think that it can provide parents with an insight to what is happening with their children.
The book can also be used as a bookclub book where students can read one book in the series of four. I think that it could spark some great discussion among peers about disabilities and how they should treat someone with a disability. It can also help in teaching acceptance and tolerance for peers with disabilities.
You highlighted opportunities for parents to learn/understand their children better through this book. I have found the same to be true for better understanding my students as a teacher by reading a range of books.
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