The fifth and final book in the groundbreaking Joey Pigza series brings the beloved chronicle of this wired, wacky, and wonderful boy to a crescendo of chaos and craziness, as everything goes topsy-turvy for Joey just as he starts to get his feet on the ground. With his dad MIA in the wake of appearance-altering plastic surgery, Joey must give up school to look after his new baby brother and fill in for his mom, who hospitalizes herself to deal with a bad case of postpartum blues. As his challenges mount, Joey discovers a key that could unlock the secrets to his father’s whereabouts, a mystery that must be solved before Joey can even hope that his broken family might somehow come back together—if only it doesn’t pull him apart first.
KIRKUS REVIEWS, STARRED REVIEW
“Joey takes on his toughest set of challenges yet in this heart-rending, triumphant series finale . . . Dark, funny and pawzzz-i-tively brilliant.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, STARRED REVIEW
“Readers . . . will appreciate the irony and emotional punch of his final triumph . . . Groundbreaking, heartbreaking.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, STARRED REVIEW
“Collectively, the Pigza series is a poignant examination of modern dysfunction, a window into how kids in tough family situations come to believe they are damaged and incapable of redemption.”
THE HORN BOOK, STARRED REVIEW
“Readers of all ages are going to cheer Joey on as he heroically deals with one over-the-top situation after another. By the time this final book of the series—as elegantly and propulsively written as the others—draws to a close, you know that no matter what the future holds, Joey’s inner strength and smart, sweet nature will prevail.”
BOOKLIST, STARRED REVIEW
“Features all of the drama, havoc, and heart readers have come to expect, dread, and love . . . Fans of all ages will want to grab their copies as soon as possible.”
