From: Deborah Hopkinson <hopkinda>
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 10:11:37 -0800

Joey Pigza was also my favorite novel this year. I loved how Gantos portrayed the adult characters so masterfully, but always from Joey's point of view. They seemed so real and flawed yet Gantos is compassionate in his portrayal too. (I'm convinced our next door neighbor is the model for Joey's father.)

I also loved how something important happens in this book, but it happens in the midst of everyday life and to regular people. This book has stayed with me and it's next on my list to read with my teenaged son. I haven't talked with anyone who has shared this book with kids, but it seems to me they would find a lot to talk about.

Deborah Hopkinson Whitman College Walla Walla, WA hopkinda at whitman.edu
Received on Thu 18 Jan 2001 12:11:37 PM CST