Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Joey Pigza explains that he can focus on his schoolwork in the morning, but in the afternoon, his meds wear off, and he becomes distracted. Despite his proficiency in Math, when Mrs. Maxy, his teacher, calls on him to answer a multiplication problem, he impulsively answers by saying “Can I get back to you on that?” (3). This leads Joey to laugh hysterically and, after repeating this dialogue several times, Mrs. Maxy ejects him from class. He entertains himself by tying his sneaker laces to his belt and spinning as fast as possible in the hallway. He follows the Superball that bounces out of his pocket and spins down the hallway until bumping into the glass walls of the principal’s office. The principal holds him against the wall, reviews his “behavior goals” (6) and has Joey sort crayons into separate piles of colors for the remainder of the day.

Joey’s parents, Fran and Carter Pigza, left when Joey was in kindergarten. His paternal grandmother raises him alone until recently, when a stranger who identifies herself as his mother appears at the door. She apologizes for having been away for so long, but