Students will enjoy reading about the continuing adventures and experiences of Joey Pigza, a young boy who suffers from ADD, Attention Deficit-Hyperactive Disorder.

Joey Pigza's life is turned upside down when his mother allows him to spend a few weeks in a nearby city with his estranged father and grandmother. Joey has an idealized image of his father, and resents his mother's smothering ways, however when he moves in with his dad, Joey quickly discovers the man is actually very much like him in many respects. Carter Pigza is impulsive and has great difficulty controlling his actions and tongue.

During Joey's visit, his father convinces him to stop wearing the medicated patch which controls his erratic behavior. Joey's behavior and unhappiness spiral out of control. The climax of the novel occurs during a championship baseball game, when Joey, unable to control his frustration has a meltdown on the mound. His mother is called for and whisks him home. Joey finally realizes that his mother has only his best interest in mind and now has a more realistic picture of his father.

Chapter-by-chapter questions will strengthen students' reading comprehension and assist them in developing critical thinking and emotional development.

Overall Expectations:

The students will:

• learn about: character development/growth, self-acceptance, living with the shortcomings of others (i.e., one’s parents), family relationships, the dangers of smoking and alcohol.

• relate events and the feelings of characters found in the novel to their own lives and experiences.

• learn from a first person perspective the challenges of being an individual with special needs (ADHD - Attention-Deficit, Hyperactive Disorder).

• appreciate that the growth of one’s character is often the result of trials that come into one’s life.

• learn the importance of dealing with adversity and developing perseverance in the face of difficult experiences.

• state their own interpretation of a written work, using evidence from the novel and from their own knowledge and experience.

Introduction includes:

• Learning Expectations and Skill List

• Teacher Suggestions

• Synopsis and Author Biography

• Student Checklist

• Answer Key

Chapter Questions

• Chapter One

  • Student Booklet Cover

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

  • Extension Activities

• Chapter Two

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

• Chapter Three

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

  • Extension Activities

• Chapter Four

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

• Chapter Five

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

• Chapter Six

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

  • Extension Activities

• Chapter Seven

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

• Chapter Eight

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

  • Extension Activities

• Chapter Nine

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

  • Extension Activities

• Chapter Ten

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

  • Extension Activities

• Chapter Eleven

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

  • Extension Activities

• Chapter Twelve

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Language Activities

• Chapter Thirteen

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Extension Activities

• Chapter Fourteen

  • Before You Read

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension Questions

  • Extension Activities

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