Welcome, MOBsters,

We are about to begin our second stimulating discussion. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, by Jack Gantos, was published in October of 1998. The book was a National Book Award Finalist, an ALA Notable Book of the Year, and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.


Granted it was an accident, but if it was going to happen to someone, did Maria Dombrowski deserve to have the tip of her nose cut off? Why? / Why not?

In a way she did and in a way she didn't. She (to me) seemed like she was "all that" and that she was in charge. What ever was going through her mind when she stepped infront of Joey is a mystory. She KNEW that there was something wrong with Joey and she Knew he was running with the scissors. It was her own darn fault to get infront of him so she could say "you were being bad now so I have to go tattle-tale."

In another way it wasn't her fault because Joey isn't that stupid. He must of heard something like: don't run with the scissors! sorta thing but then again he wouldn't remember. He has more brains to know that someone might get hurt if he did.

Either way I still don't think it was intirely Joeys fault. He should get punished but not by everyone. The Mr. Dombrowski (Maria's father) had no right to chase Joey! He had no right to yell threats and try to carry them out.

But I am afraid I am going a bit beyond the question so I will just stop there :p

I agree with Winter and I as sort of in the middle. It is not entirely either person's fault. I think she partly deserved it because she acted as though she was "The Boss" of the class. But even though you act really mean (or bossy), nobody deserves to have a part of their body nipped off, and go to the hospital

(the first sentence is supposed to say:
I agree with Winter and I am sort of in the middle of choosing if she deserved it)

Me too, Nonsense and Winter. It wasn't exactly her fault, but it wasn't Joey's, too. And I also agree with the fact that Maria's father should have not chased her off the lawn. That was really mean, when all he wanted to say was sorry. But I guess he was scared that he would come and try to chop off her nose again!

I think Maria should have been more careful. Like Winter said, she knew that Joey had a problem with his behavior. So, she might have gotten out of the way before he chopped her nose off. On the other hand, Maria did not deserve to have the tip of her nose cut off because, well, no one does. Overall, I would suppose that although she is bad, she does not deserve such a big punishment.

I was horrified when I read the part of the book where the tip of Maria's nose is cut off!! I felt that although it was an accident, it was Joey's fault. I was impressed that he walked all the way to Maria's house to try and apologise - that took courage. But the fact remains, that for the rest of Maria's life her face will be scarred.

Sorry, I would like to say one more thing:

What would happen if it was the other way around? How would Joey's mom react if her son came home with his nose cut off and that same day (I think that is how it was) the girl that cut it off (marie) came back. Would Joey's mom think that she should chase the kid down the street or would she allow her to say hi and sorry to Joey?

If it was turned around and everything was the opposite, how would each student react? No one has to answer this but...I don't know. Was the Author doing this purposely so Joey was put on the spot? to make a good story? sorry this might not make sense. mmmmmm....I don't know....

I think that Joey's mom would have really panicked, but when Marie comes to apologize, I don't think she would have shouted and/or chased her away. I think she would have welcomed her and let her say sorry to Joey.
I agree with the part which says it was done purposely to put Joey on the spot but I think it was also done to let the readers know how Joey would have reacted when he injured someone seriously.

Maria is a spy. Whenever Mrs. Maxy was out of the room and kids did what Maria thought they shouldn't, Maria wrote down their names and handed them to Mrs. Maxy. And what kind of a name is that? Is Mrs. Maxy the maximum? Maximum what???

Sorry can "the Giver" explain that a little bit more. I am a little confused

Maria is a tattle-tale, or squealer. She would tell Mrs. Maxy who misbehaved. That's what I mean by saying she's a spy.

As for Mrs. Maxy's name...I am just wondering out loud if the author, Mr. Gantos, had something in mind when he gave her that name???

In _Matilda_, Matilda's teacher's name is Miss Honey. (And she's very sweet.)

In response to "the Giver". I think it is wrong of a teacher to single any student out and give them the power to tattle on other students. It sends the message that 1)It is a good thing to tattle, and 2) it puts the student with the power in a difficult situation. On the one hand, that student feels good because they have been given special treatment by the teacher, but on the other hand it will change their relationship with the rest of the class. Mrs. Maxy should take full responsibility for disciplining the class. She has done Maria no favor by giving her that power. Maria is a pawn, she is being used by Mrs. Maxy.

In response to "the Giver" I think that Mr. Gantos was probably thinking about giving Joey's teacher a sly and sort of innocent last name.
As for "Atlas" I agree with the part that Maria is being used, but I think she has a bit more power than a pawn and I think that she is something like the horse. (in chess)

I agree with mostly everyone that although Marie didn't need to be right there, Joey didn't need to be running with scissors, so it isn't either kid's fault.

One more thing....How do you think that your parents would react if the tip of yoour nose was cut off? It'd be kinda painful, you know. I don't think that either of them deserved the punishment that they got. Joey shouldn't have been shooed from Maria's house, and Maria should have not had the tip of her nose cut off.
But what if that hapened to you? You'd kinda be mad, right?
But what if you did that to someone else? You'd kinda be in trouble, right? That wouldn't exactly be the best situation in the world to be in , right? (okay, I'm sick of saying right by now)


Are there any sixth graders in this MOB discussion right now besides me?

if someone cut the tip off my nose my parents would be pretty scared, but i dont think they would chase someone away who came to say sorry. I would be mad, but I don't think anyone would really do it on purpose.
If I did it to someone, I would probably be suspended or maybe expelled. And you are right that it wouldn't be the greatest situation to be in.

I agree with nonsense in that i don't think that my parents would chase off the person. In fact, if i got my nose cut off and told them what happened they probably would say that it was my fault as well. I have to say that I would really hope that it was all Maria's fault and that she definately deserved it because from her description, I don't like the sound of her at all. I have to say, though, that she didn't really deserve it. She's not that bad of a person and she's only doing what Mrs. Maxy asked her too. (although she's overdoing it a bit) If something less severe had happened i probably would have said that she definately deserved it but going to the hospital isn't something that any ES student deserves.

Yeah. I wonder what would have happened if it was Joey's nose that was cut off instead of Maria's. His mother would probably go balistic, and then she would blame him for everything. What do you think would happen if Joey got his nose cut off and then his grandmother or father was around instead of his somewhat-nice mother? Would he get in even more trouble?

I thought that scene in the book was a little out of control. It was a little gross, too. I mean, it was kind of funny when you read it, but if you think about it, I thought it was too violent. I'm totally ok with all the funny stuff in the rest of the book, it's just halarious...but I wonder what the point was to include that scene. Does anybody else think that the author was going a bit too far?

Sorry one other question for. (Sorry to those who do write the questions)

Most books have a backround. A theme (LoL! Mrs. OCP!!!! AHHHH) What is the true meaning of this book. Like what did the author have in mind in what he wanted the people to think when he wrote it.

Did he write it because he wanted to share what he thinks happens to mentally, emotionally, physically, retarded people?

Thanks to all those that answered my question. I agree that my parents would not chase them away. Or Joey's mom chase away marie. (sp?) As to The Giver:

You got something there. I didn't notice it until now. mmmmmm...But then again....strange. I will have to think about that one. mmmm...

This book is REALLY confusing when you think about it. Not the actually situation and the plot line but what the author wants you to think. I always thought books were kind of something that made you think. Isn't that why they have LA reading books? And all those annoying questions that cause you to think MORE then you already were? mmmmm....

I don't know....There has to be something behind this book. Something that has to have a meaning....mmmm....

Perhaps the meaning of this book was to entertain the author. That is one of the reasons why I love to write, it is frightfully entertaining. Or maybe he wanted to write something different.

I do not think that Maria deserved to have the tip of her nose sliced off. After all, she was just an innocent child. As for her as the person in the class who reports any misbehaviors, I think that that would be the teacher’s fault, not her own. Mrs. Maxy appointed her to that position. She did not award it to herself. If it had to happen to someone, perhaps it should have happened to Joey himself. Perhaps such an incident of pain would help reinforce to Joey that he must be careful, and exercise extreme control and caution.
When Maria's father chased away Joey that day, I don't it was necessarily his fault. He was probably just worried over his daughter's permanently scarred condition, that it made him seek vengeance. My father might have done the same thing, or my mother, for that matter. It certainly was inexcusable behavior, yet one can hardly blame him. This was the boy who butchered his daughter's face with a sharp blade.

In answer to "Sage"'s question:
I think that the Grandmother wouldn't really care that much, but she would continue worrying about how many cigars she could get. The father, on the other hand, would probably have become totally angry at him because the baseball season was coming up and he needed a pitcher. I think he would have chased Maria away.

In answer to "Winter"'s question:
I think he wrote it to (sort of) show what kind of kid he was, and to remind the adults how kids act. I don't think he wanted to say anything about people who have problems.

Hi,
You all have written some very thought provoking messages. Let's give Maria time off for good behavior and focus on Joey.

Joey says his family tree is like a set of high voltage wires strung across a field from one steel pole to another. What does he mean by that? What does your family tree look like?

The leaders of the MOB would like to invite MOBsters to come to the library during lunch period next Thursday, March 21, for a slice of--what else?--shoofly pie. We hope to see you there :-)

I think Joey ment that he had a very weird family. The "High voltage wires" Kinda give it away...To me atleast.

My family tree looks like a desert. Miles and Miles of desert with only grains of sand. Each sand though represents a family member. Thats kinda how I view my family geneology. My dad has this computer disk thing that shows most of our family from my mom's and Dad's side. It just keeps on branching off. More and More and More. Never ending sorta thing. My grandpa (on my dad's side) does this to. He has his dating back to the viking age. The weird thing is that one of my Great, Great, Great, Great etc great granfather was a viking and had stolen a noble princess. (or something like that) and took her for a wife. weird huh? Ok enough about me.

Thats how I picture my Family...Miles of Desert, each grain of sand a family member.

Sorry I want to add something to Joeys family tree thing. The high voltage thing means "jumpy"
can't stay streight sort of thing....Does that make sense? If it doesn't please say so...LOL

I think the high voltage wires mean that they are all hyper-active. My family tree, does not look like a tree at all. Mine looks like a vine of grapes that have been growing for the last couple of centuries.

I want to add something to my description of my family tree:

The vines are all really long, and each vine has an average of 3 grapes

I actually kinda feel sorry for Joey, as he comes from a background of "jumpy" people. His father gave him all these jumpy genes that make him kinda go nuts. I feel sorry for him cuz it's not his fault that he's kinda on the high-voltage line. It is actually his parents' fault. But still put yourself in his shoes. You're jumpy all the time, and nobody understands when you swallow the key to your house and then pull it back up your throat. THat's kinda sick, but it gives him the attention that he longs for.
As for my family tree, I have no idea what in the world mine is like. I mean, my parents' generation is all kinda small talk people, but then when it comes to my generation, you better buy some earplugs! I'm the oldest (I'm twelve) and the youngest was just born. It's not exactly the quiet quality time you'd expect from a family gathering, but it's loud in a nice way. But still, I like it!!

In reply to Kristiegirl: I couldn't help but notice that you said that it was not Joey's fault. And I agree with that. It is not Joey's fault for being the way he is. What I do not agree with is its his parents fault. It is not his parents fault that they passed those genes on to him. In fact it is not there fault for haveing those genes at all.
In a sense it is no ones fault. I hate to bring religon into this but...God made Joey what he is. If his parents really did not want him to be "jumpy" they would have to go have some weird Operation to solve it. Besides, how would they know if this is the way he would be?

Yeah, Winter. I know it's kinda like suddenly back on here again, but I do agree with you. The religion thing, too. I wonder what type of operation they'd have to do on him? ;)

hmmmm...Some weird operation....They must have somekind of operation that changes genes slightly or his way of thinking...So it isn't as jumpy.

I think Joey means that his family is very active and, well, wired. (they are weird, too--I'll bet you someone once mixed those two words up.)

It is interesting that he said this, because he seems like a really weird person who can never control his actions, but when you think of him saying this, you can see that he actually is a somewhat smart person, to be able to make this kind of a similie.

As for my family, we might be words in a book. Some of us are very timid, while others are bigger and speak up more. Each person is represented by a word.

Sorry--I have one question for everyone.

Which word do you think would represent you the best?

Greetings MOBsters,

1. Mr. Gantos will be here this week!

2. Don't forget to come to the library during lunch Thursday for a slice of shoofly pie :-)

Here's some food for thought:

Joey says his mom has been calling her Amaretto cocktail her "medicine" since Joey began taking his medicine. Joey's mom says this gives them something in common. Does it?

hmmmm...Intresting question. LoL! I don't really see anything that makes them in common other than the fact that Joey's mother calls the cocktail her medicine and then there is Joey's medicine. Both drugs or is cocktail just drink? I though it was some alcoholic drink but I wouldn't know. But then these kinds of Medcines are two different kinds of drugs. Doesn't Joey get his from a Doctor? I don't remember reading that so I am assuming it. hmmmmm...I don't really know...

That really is something to think about. What is in common.

As to what word I would look like (sorry for going back to the last question) is....People who know who I am might agree with this. It would be LOUD. REALLY LOUD. lol

I don't really think that she should be calling her drink her medicine, as it doesn't really relate. There's something wrong with Joey, yeah, but there isn't anything that is wrong with his mom! Joey's mom doesn't have anything that is wrong with her that she needs to take medicine for. Especially to have something in common with her son. But she already does! He is her son, and isn't that enough? I mean, my mom doesn't say, Okay, I need to wear bellbottom jeans just like you so we can have something in common! I mean, that's just wrong, especially since it involves medicine and alcahol (sorry I spelt that wrong). But, maybe she doesn't feel that close in relationship to her son,and this is the way that she is "bonding" with Joey.

Intresting way to "bond" With Joey...But parents are funny that way...

I think it makes them together because both of the medicines don't work all the time. I don't know why Joey's mom drinks it but Joey's medicine doesn't work.
But I also agree with Kristiegirl because you don't really need to relate with your son, especially if you are the mother.

Jack Gantos is like THE BEST author ever! I haven't read the Joey Pigza books, but they sound great. After all, they are always checked out at the library. Can't wait to see Jack Gantos!

Me too, Fagolden1!!

I think that Joey's mother might merely be trying to make Joey feel better about his problem. Maybe to make him feel like he is not alone. It might also give him confidence or something. The mother also probably sees it as a way for her son to feel a bit better, and also have a person to make her Amaretto Cocktails. I think that she takes them to deal with stress. Consuming liquor is considered relaxing, though I don't suppose I would have any say in the matter, for I have only had little sips of alcohol, and never actually swallowed them.

I think Joey's mom calls the Amaretto Cocktails her medicine because, as Doublestar said, she probably thinks it will make Joey feel better if he knows he is not the only one to take medicine. But, on the other hand, I do not think cocktails should be considered medicine, even if they do make you feel better. Joey's mom should not be drinking them so often (in the book it seems like she has one every day). But, then again, many men and womenn drink a beer every day, and it never harms them, so I suppose it wouldn't be that bad.

Well I agree with everybody that it isn't really Joey's mom's "medicine," mostly because, well, it isn't. It's alcohol, and it's probably hurting her more than helping. I do think that it makes Joey feel better though, about him having to take medicine. I also think that the mom sort of uses it as an excuse, because she wants to drink it, but she knows that it's bad for her. But she thinks, "oh, well it's ok, because it's making Joey feel better..."even though her consince is probably telling her not to drink it.

Why is it making Joey feel better though? I mean, If I were to try and make Joey feel better, I would not start taking "meds" to make him feel like we had something in common. I think that would be just like saying, "you are such a horrible kid that I don't know what to do with you other than drug you, and I can't live with you without being drugged myself!"

But maybe Joey doesn't see it that way. Maybe he sees it like his mother is a lot like him.

P.S. As to what word would describe me... BOOK!!!

hmmmm In reply to doublestar: HEALTH!! LOL! Beer does effect a person if not mentally.

I agree with all ya guys. IT is kind of intresting that his mother calls it her medicine, but maybe it is an excuse to drink alcohol. I mean, what other reason does she have? One and that is telling Joey its her medicine so she can have a couple of drinks everyday.

Would she let Joey have it if he asked? Nope! LoL! Some parents need excuse to drink because teachers are always telling kids that it is bad for you. The kids come home telling them not to drink. Maybe she doesn't want that happen so she says its her medcine....I don't know. I don't think it is ment to be something in common with Joey and his Mother.

I wonder...How would the mother react if a teacher came home with Joey because Joey told the teacher that she drinks for her "medicine". Awkward situation ain't it? LoL

I am not sure. It could be a way to bond or maybe so Joey doesn't feel "different. So it can be a good thing and a bad.

Sorry, One more thought!

About the teacher telling kids its bad to drink and the kids come home telling the parents to stop. It might not even be that. They know it is bad (Well Most of them) and they really want that excuse.

For Joey's mom, here is the solution, saying its her medicine. If joey was smarter he might ask what doctor prescribe it.

Sorry ANOTHER reply: to frizzy:

Joey knows he is different and it looks to me like he accepts it. so why does his mother think that this "Bonding thing" Will help? Even if he is "different"

I think that Joey's mom wants Joey to feel as if he isn't the only one who has to take medicine in the house, so he doesn't feel as if he's really strange or anything. I mean, he already knows that he's too hyperactive a lot of the time and different from the other kids but at home, if somebody else was taking "medicine"with him, and especially since it's his mom, he might feel more comfortable and not feel completely alien-like. I also think that the amaretto cocktail is kind of like Joey's mom's medicine because she has to take care of him a whole lot so that's more or less her break in the day in which they're taking "medicine"�@together and it also probably helps her to relax a bit. I don't think that their both taking medicine really gives them something in common because they have quite different personalities and joey's mom isn't nearly as high strung as Joey is. I think, though it kind of gives them something in common because both of their medicines help them relax. Joey's is a different kind of relaxations than his mom but never-the-less, it does help them both relax.

I agree with 247reader. Although having an cocktail is not strictly medicine, it does help Joey's mom relax, just as Joey's medicine helps him relax. I also think Joey's mother could have the cocktail and not say anything to Joey, but by saying they are both having their medicine it is a way show that sometimes people need help relaxing.

Jack Gantos was great. HE was REALLY funny. I think I am going to start writing my own journal from now on.

Not really, because she just keeps on drinking alchohol.

I am sorry But you guys are confusing me, Are you saying that they both take the medcine so they can be relaxed? That doesn't make sense. Joey's medicine only work half the time and it only lasts for so long. Getting Drunk on the other hand (sorry I have strong feelings about alcohol) lasts for some time and it also gives you the feeling you need more. Joey didn't want to take it in the first place until his mom got this cocktail thing going on. Doesn't Joey's mom Want it? I mean want to drink it? Like I said before...Some adults need an excuse to drink.


I just had a weird thought!!! Jack Gantos could be reading all this stuff right NOW!! I mean he could of read all our replys and such! Scary thought...

Jack Gantos' presentation was great! Did everyone else like it? Does he have access to this discussion? (just wondering)

I think its a good way for Joey to get used to taking his medicine, and its a good idea that his Mom thought of it, although there is the risk that Joey will one day figure it out, and he might get mad at his Mom, but i doubt that happening. I think that any way that they can get to know each other better and bond better is good, because theyre the type of family that should know each other as well as possible. So if Joey thinks that his Mom is like him, then he will like his Mom more, cause it helps if you have something in common. However, if Joey ever decides that he wants to see if his Moms medicine works on him, then that wouldn't be very good, and i dont think i need to go into the details of that.

Jack Gantos was the best author that's ever visited ASIJ! He had a great sense of humor and the ultimate book writing talent. I thought that he also had the ability to grab his audience better then any other author that's come to ASIJ.

My little brother in fifth got to see all the stuff that I didn't see in Mr. Gantos' presentation, so I got to learn all of what he did! But he did different things for each group, and I think that that is weird. Oh well! I don't know if I want to start a journal, cuz then my little sis will want to too!

I already have a journal...But he gave GREAT ideas for writing! :D

Hey Winter:
Mr. Swist said that Mr. Gantos has acess to this conversation....FYI.

WOW!! That is Kind of Scary,,,That he knows what we think of his book!

He was Hilarious! I could not stand it! For those of you who know what "google friday" is then you will understand this:

The day that he talked to us was on Friday for me and I was all dressed up in Blue! It was soo Funny! And my Google Twin was with me so there we were, 3 or 4 rows from the first where he could easily see us and we were laughing the loudest (I thought) That it could of brought anyones attention! :P!

LoL

Nonsense, FAGolden1, and Kristiegirl, what we said is on the main page! Isn't that soo cool?!?!?!?

LoL!

Hello MOBsters,

We were so lucky to have had Mr. Gantos here last week. From a librarian's point of view, Mr. Gantos covers "both sides of the street." First, he got us interested in his creative stories. Then he reinforced the basic structure and discipline necessary for any one of us to try to become a writer. Finally, he demonstrated that his successful stories had him as a character and usually his home as the setting. In other words, look around. Then take out your journal :-)


When Joey arrives at the Amish farm, he wonders if the kids might have preferred a fieldtrip to his house when his grandmother and he were living together. Why would you choose one tour over the other?

Sorry I am not sure what the question is...Could someone explain it to me please? :p

Ummmm well the Amish farm is really dull and his house is really active and everything - if that's what you mean. I'm not really sure what the questions is either...will someone please explain to Winter and I?

I think this means that he thinks that his house would be more interesting to the kids since there you could jump on the couch and run around and do whatever you want, where at the Amish farm you have to just sit around and it might be quite boring. . . . . does this seem right?

I am not sure what the question means either, but I think it means that the Amish children would have found his house to be very interesting, if they had been there on a field trip. I suppose Joey meant that they'd have preferred it, because it is far different than there Amish way of life. They had modern conveniences, that the Amish did not have. I guess that when he said that they would have preferred it when he had been living with his grandmother, he meant that they would have found their highly active lifestyle interesting and entertaining.

WOW i havent been in here for awhile but look at what every one has been doing!
Well i think it was great to see Jack Gantos come to our school. He was HILARIOUS!!! I cant believe that he had such an interesting life. Im jealous. I ,myself, write in a diary and journal and I was glad to get tips on how to write in it. It is hard, though, to write in it every day because well with hw and all there's just not enough time.
I think this means that the children would of found Joey's house much more interesting because of the things that happen to him when he is with his grandmother. The field trip to the Amish farm is boring and they have to listen to the teachers and just sit around doing nothing. But if they were at Joey's house they could do any thing they want and I think from Joey's point of view, going to his own house is much more interesting then going to an Amish farm.

Hello MOBsters,

Yes, Mr. Gantos reads the postings periodically. He has told me that he enjoys reading your comments very much and is looking forward to reading our treatment of JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL. Mr. Gantos also mentioned that he is working hard on another revision of the third book in this series, WHAT WOULD JOEY DO?

Joey's mom's rule #1 is: "Slow down and think about what you're doing." Does this work with Joey? What is one of the more effective rules in your family?

Hotstuff,
EXACTLY!!! Good wording.

I think Joey means to obey this rule, but, having ADD, it is sometimes hard for him to think before he acts. Joey is a very caring person despite the fact that he has ADD, and I think if it was easier for him to control what he was doing he definetely would obey.

I'll answer the other part of the question later.

I've got an answer now.

One affective rule in our family is that we are not allowed to wake up at 3:00 AM when it is snowing out and go to the 7-11 and buy a chocolate bar.

....Like "sage" said, Joey means to obey but being the way he is, it is more difficult then it is for others. If he was given a chance for a whole day with-out acting "Weird" I bet he could follow the rule.

One of the effective rules in our family is:

Not waking up early on Christmas morning to find out what we got, instead we have to wake the others up so we can all go in as a family!

(We kids added the last part of waking everyone up ;)! )

This law only works a little on Joey, but at least sometimes, more often than not, he remembers and obeys it. I mean, it could be worse and he would go crazy doing something really weird like jumping out the window and acting like a dog or something really crazy. But at least he is able to check himself!!

If Joey does slow down and think about what he is doing, I think it will really work well with him. My family has a lot of rules but the main one is, that when there is school the next day you must sleep by 8PM, unless you still have homework to do. This is especially hard for me because the earliest I reach home is around 5

Hello MOBsters,

Sitting next to his mom on the bus to Pittsburgh, Joey's mom says to him, "So why, after all I put you through, do you still love me?"

Why did she say that to Joey?

So Joey would understand how much his mother loves him. I mean my mom does that to me all the time.

The only reason you tell people not to do something or to do something means that they care about you and your welfare. If I said "Don't go into my room" most likely means "Don't go in unless you don't want to get into a big fight and then get in trouble with mom/dad".

Every thing that parant put you through is because they love you. (Unless it is child abuse) And every child I know knows that if not in their mind in their heart.

Another thing is that Mothers/Fathers and Kids have a bond that no one has. Not even brothers or sisters. You can't say "I hate you" and mean it to someone. Atleast that is how I was brought up. If I said "I hate you" I would feel VERY childish. I mean who says that other than little bratts? (Sorry If I offend anyone in any of the comments above.)

I agree with you Winter that Joey's mom did it to show just much she loved him. My parents do it to me all the time, too. I also really liked Winter's example. I think another reason that she said it was because maybe she wanted him to just think about that. I usually ask questions that aren't really straight-forward, and it makes the other person think a bit. I think that this question would have made Joey think, at least a litte.

Yeah, I think that Joey's mother saying that to him was just a way of reassuring herself that even though he's kinda nuts, his mom and dad are split up, and his family's just plain weird, he still loves her no matter what.

(and vice versa too)

I think that she said that to Joey so that he will realize that no matter what she does she will always be his mother and he will always love her almost no matter what. Also, by saying that, she makes him realize that just like he will always love her, she will always love him because he is her son and she will always love him no matter what. It will make him realize that she will always love him and he will always love her. It also makes him think about why he loves her and why she loves him so much that they each put up with whatever the other one does.

Why is Joey special?

I think Joey is special because of how he tries many things even though he is handicapped. That's one of the ways that I admire him (sometimes)

Joey is a special type of person who has different things going on his life. He has this "excitement mode" where he goes crazy. He swallows a key and it comes out later. :p I am not sure I have ever heard of a kid that did...that kind of stuff. His mother and most of his friends know it and notice it frequently. THats probably why people love each other. Because they are different from anyone they knew and they are different from themselves showing them new and intresting things. Joey, I think, can be very easy to like

I think that Joey is special for just being who he is. Everybody is special in their own special way. Joey is special because he's a funny, creative and imaginative kid and he also has a hyperactive "problem". But he doesn't let that get in his way of doing things. He always tries to be normal and calm down enough so he can do things right but it never seems to work. Still, he goes on and keeps right on trying. He's also, from what you see from the author'S point of view a very funny kid. He is a unique child with qualities other children don't have and that is what makes him special along with other things. But then again, keep in mind that everybody is special, no matter who or what they are.

Calling All MOBsters

You're Invited to a

Pizza Lunch

Wednesday, May 29th

MS Library

RSVP to Mr. Swist by Monday, May 27th.

I thought that Maria didn't deserve to have her nose cut off, but that she would have at least a little more compassion to Joey, because she obviously knows there is something wrong with him, and that while he's holding scissors she shouldn't really get too close to him.