ADHD를 앓는 소년 조이가 몇 년 만에 처음으로 아버지를 만났을 때, 통제불능이었던 예전의 자신의 어른 버전을 보고 있는 듯한 느낌을 받았다. 아버지 카터는 조이가 새 약을 먹기 전에 그랬던 것만큼 흥분해 있었다. 

조이의 엄마는 마지못해 여름동안 조이가 아빠와 함께 있을 수 있도록 허락한다. 조이는 아빠와 마침내 서로를 알 수 있게 되어 좋았다. 하지만 시간이 지나면서, 아빠는 마음 속에 더 큰 계획을 가지게 된다. 자신이 스스로를 제어할 수 있는 것처럼 조이도 의사의 처방 없이 다른 평범한 아이들처럼 똑같이 하게 하려는 것이었다. 카터는 조이가 그럴 수 있으리라 믿었고, 조이도 누구보다 아빠를 믿었다. 조이는 아빠 밑에서 평범하게 살아가는 방법을 배우게 될까?

The sequel to Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, a National Book Award Finalist

When Joey Pigza meets his dad for the first time in years, he meets a grown-up version of his old out-of-control self. Carter Pigza is as wired as Joey used to be before his stint in special ed, and before he got his new meds.

Joey's mom reluctantly agrees that he can stay with his dad for a summer visit, which sends Joey racing with sky-high hopes that he and Carter can finally get to know each other. But as the weeks whirl by, Carter has bigger plans in mind. He decides that just as he has pulled himself up by his own bootstraps, Joey can do the same and become as normal as any kid, without the help of a doctor's prescription. Carter believes Joey can do it and Joey wants to believe him more than anything in the world.

Here is the continuation of Jack Gantos' acclaimed Joey Pigza story, affirming not only that Joey Pigza is a true original but that it runs in the family.

Joey Pigza Loses Control is a 2000 New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year and a 2001 Newbery Honor Book.

Joey, who is still taking medication to keep him from getting too wired, goes to spend the summer with the hard-drinking father he has never known and tries to help the baseball team he coaches win the championship.