Pigboy (Orca Currents) [Hardcover]

Vicki Grant (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Orca Currents

A boring field trip turns dangerous. (RL 2.0)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9–Dan Hogg is the class brain who wears glasses and has weird hair. But his biggest problem is his name: it just begs for insults. And the kids in his class are glad to oblige. When they go on a field trip to a heritage farm specializing in raising pigs, Dan knows that it will be the worst day of his life, but he never imagined just how bad it would get. An escaped criminal has made his way to the farm and locked up the owner. The convict is not sure what to do with the bus full of eighth graders, but soon figures out that he needs to get rid of them all. Surprising even himself, Dan, in a bumbling, self-effacing way, becomes a hero by saving his classmates and teacher. He is still the class nerd, but he has earned the respect of the biggest bully, and that helps. Grant has done a fantastic job of developing the voice of an adolescent who is the class bully's whipping boy. Dan's wry sense of humor catches readers' attention and has them rooting for him practically from the first page. Pigboy is a great quick read for boys who may be reluctant readers, but others will enjoy it as well.–Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD
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Review

"It would suit high interest low vocabulary readers with its brevity and reading level, but the high action and excellent writing, not to mention the likable main character, would make it a good choice for any reader." (Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Books 20061101)

"Grant hits the nail on the head when she brings both mucous and underwear into the story line Grant writes a compelling story with lots of suspense, but it's the journey to Dan's personal redemption that is most enjoyable to read Highly recommended." (CM Magazine 20061215)

"Dan's wry sense of humor catches readers' attention and has them rooting for him practically from the first page. Pigboy is a great quick read for boys who may be reluctant readers, but others will enjoy it as well." (School Library Journal 20080615)

"This quick read is perfect for reluctant readers, especially boys. In a story of bravery and redemption, Grant moves quickly to first establish Dan's post on the lowest rung of the social ladder, and then chronicles his eventual rise to the top." (KLIATT )

"Middle school readers will appreciate this adventure." (VOYA )

*no details* (Canadian Book Review Annual ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 101 pages
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551436663
• ISBN-13: 978-1551436661
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,844,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, March 12, 2007

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pigboy (Orca Currents) (Paperback)

Dan Hogg is the kid that everyone teases and insults....his name just begs for it, and besides that, he wears glasses and has weird hair. He really dreads the upcoming class field trip to a farm that raises pigs -- this should be an especially bad day for Dan, and the day does start out with the class bully making life miserable for him.

A career criminal has knocked the farm owner out, and locked him in a shed in order to rob him, but when the bus load of 8th-graders show up, it really messes up his plans. He's not quite sure what to do with them, but his boss says to get rid of them all.

At first the kids and the teacher believe the robber is the farmer that they have come to see, but gradually realize that he is not, and that they have much to fear. Dan is determined to outwit the crook and save his classmates from the sure death that the man is planning for them.

The story is narrated by Dan, the class nerd, himself. It's an exciting, funny adventure, with the tension building to a very satisfying finish. This award-winning author has a great sense of humor, and will have you laughing at Dan, and with him, as he outsmarts the bumbling robber and rescues his classmates in a short, quick read that will appeal to reluctant readers.

Reviewed by: Grandma Bev

3.0 out of 5 stars Ok for Hi-Lo Readers, June 9, 2009

By 

Laura C. Perenic (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pigboy (Orca Currents) (Paperback)

Tormented for being an allergy prone momma's boy, Dan Hogg's life as class geek takes a deadly turn when his class is held hostage while on a school field trip. Shunning both his personal phobias and social stereotypes set by the cool kids, Dan maintains both a humorous and positive outlook while rescuing his classmates. This compact story designed for reluctant readers, showcases action over description but also makes some plot sacrifices with the over use of teen cliques.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Damaged Book, April 5, 2010

By 

Rosalie Tolson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pigboy (Orca Currents) (Paperback)

I actually sent you an e-mail that one of the copies of Pigboy was damaged and never received a reply. Would it be possible to get another copy of the book. I have the damaged copy if you need me to return it to you.