“We were on our way to Dad’s house and Mom was driving with both hands clamped tightly around the wheel as if she had me by the neck.”

From Jack Gantos’ Joey Pigza Loses Control.

As a young boy struggling with an attention deficit disorder, Joey Pigza faces challenges in every aspect of his life.  After not seeing his father for several years, Joey is going to spend summer vacation with his dad.  Joey is nervous and the trip there is filled with Joey asking lots of questions about his dad and Joey’s mom giving the occasional answer as the barrage of questions overwhelms her.  What would have previously set Joey off into an erratic spiral of thoughts and restlessness, Joey’s concerns about staying with his dad are more manageable with his new medicine patch that helps him think through things better.  When they finally make it to his dad’s house, Joey instantly recognizes similar attitudes and behaviors in his father that the boy struggled with before his medication was right.  Joey’s dad pushes to make up for lost time and encourages Joey to take charge of his life without the interference of medication.  Joey is initially excited to take control of his life just like his dad has done, but as things begin to spiral out of control again, Joey must find balance in his life before his life comes crashing down again.

Author Jack Gantos’ second book in the series about a boy living with ADHD is filled with the same somewhat-erratic narration and happenings as the first book in the series.  The characters are allowed the chance to grow through the story, and the situations still provide an interesting story for readers.  Joey Pigza Loses Control highlights both the highs and lows of mental disorders all while showing that some struggles are universal.