Joey Pigza is back. He is spending six weeks with the father who abandoned him as an infant. Against his mother’s better judgment, she leaves Joey with his father so he can decide for himself if this is someone he wants in his life. His grandmother always said Joey was tightly wound, just like her and just like his father. Joey discovers this is true. From the first moment he meets his father, he recognizes the same tightly wound hyperactivity that he so recently learned to manage.

Joey has learned how to manage his ADHD and he hopes he can help his father. But Carter Pigza has his own ideas on life and parenting. He claims he has changed his life, however he is still secretly drinking. He is coaching a little league team. Unfortunately his temper constantly gets the best of him and his verbal abuse of the players is legendary. Yet, Joey is determined to get to know his father. He joins his little league team and discovers he's a great pitcher. Because of him, the team may actually have a shot at the championship. But as great as Joey hopes everything will be, he is still surrounded by people who do not always make the best decisions. When his father decides Joey can handle his ADHD without intervention and tosses his medicated patches down the toilet, Joey fears it's only a matter of time before he loses control and the old him returns. Despite hints of physical abuse and alcoholism, Joey's optimism and faith in others make this a quick, enjoyable read that, along with the other books in the series, will start conversations between parents and their children.

208 pages

Recommended by Jamequa Summerall, Librarian.