Fans of Because of Winn Dixie will adore this warm and heart-wrenching story of the friendship between a boy and a pig who thinks it's a dog. Eleven-year-old Lorenzo Ventura knows heroes are rare—like his father, who died in the war, or his friend Paloma Lee, who fearlessly pursues her dream of being a famous musician. Renzo would never describe himself as a hero, but his chance comes when he adopts Marty, a runt piglet.
Marty is extraordinary—he thinks he’s a dog and acts like one too—and his bond with Renzo is truly one of a kind. At first, the family farm seems like the perfect home for Marty, but as he approaches 350 pounds, it becomes harder for Renzo to convince his mom that a giant pig makes a good pet. So when Marty causes a dangerous (and expensive) accident, Renzo knows Marty’s time is up. He’d do anything and everything for his best friend, but will everything be enough to save Marty?
Paul Griffin masterfully melds the heartrending and the hopeful in this unforgettable story about the power of friendship . . . and the unsung heroes all around us.
On sale: September 18, 2018
Age: 10-14 years
Grade: Grades 5-9
Page count: 224 Pages
ISBN: 9780399539084
Reading level: Lexile: 650L
Paul Griffin is the award-winning author of
When Friendship Followed Me Home,
Ten Mile River,
The Orange Houses, and
Burning Blue. He lives, writes, and trains dogs in New York City.
* "Smart, honest, and heart-achingly real." —
Kirkus, starred review
* "[Paul Griffin's] well-drawn characters leave lasting impressions, and he gracefully delves into themes that include love, sacrifice, friendship, and accountability." —
Publishers Weekly, starred review
"This moving story will appeal to readers who love realistic fiction with music, animals, and a dash of humor." —
School Library Journal
"Griffin’s novelpacks a powerful punch...[and]captures a slice ofAmericana—the flyover farms of middle America—rarely depicted so sensitively in contemporary middlegradefiction. Hand this one to fans of animal-centered stories." —
Booklist
