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Summary
Summary
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.
Author Notes
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.
Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Griffin (When Friendship Followed Me Home) delivers a tender, sensitive portrayal of a boy beginning to wonder about his place in the world. Lorenzo Ventura, over six feet tall and 250 pounds at age 11, discovers a runt piglet left behind on his family's Pennsylvania peach orchard. Bella, the family's pet Lab, has just given birth to a litter of puppies, so she and Renzo both become caretakers of the small pig, which he names Marty after his late father, an Army sergeant. As the months pass, Renzo faces several life-changing situations, including his friend Paloma's musical success and revelations about his father; Marty has become such a steadying force that Renzo can't imagine life without him. Griffin infuses kindness into almost every scene, his well-drawn characters leave lasting impressions, and he gracefully delves into themes that include love, sacrifice, friendship, and accountability. Many readers will know a Renzo, the big-hearted kid who's a little different and has both hardships and undiscovered talents. There are no easy solutions to the characters' problems, nor outright villains, just struggling people navigating life. Ages 10-14. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Lorenzo Ventura's sixth-grade year is hard: his mom struggles to save their peach orchard; his grandfather faces health problems; his best friend goes away to camp; and, worst of all, questions about his soldier dad's death still fester. But Renzo's adopted pet pig, Marty, sustains him through these challenges. Renzo's determination to keep Marty after an accident leads to satisfying surprises in this poignant, ultimately hopeful story. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
On the heels of the acclaimed When Friendship Followed Me Home (2016), Griffin returns with another story celebrating the deep bond between man and animal. In rural western Pennsylvania, Lorenzo Ventura, who's large for his 11 years, forges a deep connection with a pig that thinks he's a dog. Lorenzo names the pig Marty after the deceased father he never met, but unfortunately his mother, struggling to keep their household afloat, says Marty's got to go. As Marty grows and grows, his girth causing a number of problems large and small, Lorenzo presses for information about his father. Though slight, Griffin's novel packs a powerful punch, particularly when Lorenzo receives some unexpected news his father, struggling with PTSD, had in fact committed suicide. A bit unfocused at the beginning, the story gains momentum midway, culminating in an emotional and heartrending climax. Griffin captures a slice of Americana the flyover farms of middle America rarely depicted so sensitively in contemporary middle-grade fiction. Hand this one to fans of animal-centered stories.--Barnes, Jennifer Copyright 2017 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7-Eleven-year-old Lorenzo "Renzo" Ventura's army veteran and musician father died before he was born. A school assignment forces Renzo to consider what it means to be a hero, which has him think deeply about his dad. Renzo lives with his mom and grandfather, Double Pop, on a financially failing farm. A piglet is left behind instead of taken to auction, and Renzo decides to name it Marty, after his late father. Renzo also dreams of running away to California with his best friend Paloma Lee to play music and visit the site where his father's ashes are scattered. Renzo treats Marty like a pet, including racing him at a festival, where he and Paloma Lee play their music and are invited to perform on an live radio broadcast. Throughout the story, Renzo reads letters written by his father, leading him to wonder about a woman, Hana, who frequently appears in the letters. Griffin's novel explores the experience of losing one's home, uncovering difficult truths, and learning the meaning of heroism. Each character is well-developed, and Griffin does an excellent job depicting the financial struggles of life on a farm. Readers who enjoy music will appreciate the sheet music and lyrics interspersed throughout. Small mysteries also add intrigue and propel the plot. VERDICT This moving story will appeal to readers who love realistic fiction with music, animals, and a dash of humor.-Liz Anderson, DC Public Library © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A failing peach farm and a mountain of bills force 12-year-old Lorenzo Ventura's mother to consider selling his best friend, Martya pig who thinks he is a dog. The only things Renzo has to remember his father by are his Bronze Star, some letters, and his guitar. When new and conflicting details about his father's death emerge, the white middle schooler is anxious to know the truth. But his mother and her father, Double Pop, are distracted with saving their home. When Paloma Lee, Renzo's mixed-race (Korean and Colombian) friend, leaves for music camp, Renzo is left alone with his questions and Marty, whose size and enthusiasm are becoming dangerous. Renzo's search for answers leads him to some profound truths: love is complicated, and people will continually surprise and sometimes disappoint you. But whether they are working single parents, military veterans, or simply friends willing to go the distance, heroes come in many types, and Renzo's story is a celebration of them all. Renzo is a gentle-hearted dreamer who learns that there are some things worth fighting for. And Marty is the pig who guides him toward the man he is growing to be. Smart, honest, and heart-achingly real. (Fiction. 10-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
