Feedback: ADHD--Joey Pigza series and Only a Mother Could Love Him

Thanks to those of you who commented on my post of May 4, reviewing the three books of the Joey Pigza series by Jack Gantos, and my post of May 10 citing the memoir by Benjamin Polis, Only a Mother Could Love Him.


Reader Shane referred us to his web site at www.adhdguide.blogspot.com, which he started with his own son in mind. If you have an interest in the general area of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disorders in general, check it out. On his site Shane cites a series of adventure novels featuring a dyslexic and ADHD main character, Percy Jackson and the Olympians by author Rick Riordan. All three books in the series received very good reviews (*starred review by School Library Journal for Book I, The Lightning Thief.)

Shane also mentioned that his son had enjoyed the Joey Pigza books and found them helpful. A couple of other fiction books which deal empathetically but realistically with the subject are Susan Shreve's Trout and Me and for slightly younger readers The Flunking of Joshua T. Bates. Both books highlight the strengths as well as the difficulties of two elementary school students who are labelled as "learning disabled" or "ADHD." Both stories are optimistic, showing boys who gain understanding of their own problems and learn to develop a measure of control over them.