Jack Gantos

Jack Gantos is the author of many books, including the Rotten Ralph picture books and several collections of stories for middle-graders featuring his alter ego Jack Henry. He lives with his wife and daughter in Boston, Massachusetts.

Jack Gantos is also the author of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, a National Book Award Finalist, an ALA Notable Book of the Year, and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. He is also the author of Heads or Tails, Jack's Black Book, Jack's New Power, and Jack on the Tracks.

What's it's all about...

When Joey Pigza meets his dad, Carter, for the first time in years, he meets a grownup version of his old hyperactive self -- the way he was before his stint in special ed, the way he was before he got his new meds.

"He was wired, No doubt about it . . . , Now I knew what Mom meant when she said he was like me, only bigger."

During their summer visit together, Carter is eager to make up to his son for past wrongs. He wants to teach Joey how to be a winner. He wants to show Joey how to take control of his own life. And Joey is willing to do whatever his dad says, even though -- in this high-energy sequel to the acclaimed Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key -- he fears it will do him more harm than good.

"All I could imagine was the worst part of me getting or a train a long ways off. That old Joey was coming to get me and I couldn't do anything about it . . . There was nothing to do but wait, and worry."

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Joey Pigza Loses Control

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