It is a tremendous achievement to incorporate so much understanding and explanation into a cracking good story. I found it a vivid and startling book

One of the funniest recent publications . . . Written with the energetic, breathless, non-stop gusto of the main character

Its wit, verve and strong story make it a fascinating read

[This] could easily become required reading for anyone who works or lives with children and for any child who enjoys brilliant comic writing tinged with the poignancy of reality

The reader will quickly be engaged by the gritty honesty of this character who has a great deal of moral courage . . . Joey Pigza stays with you long after the last page has turned