The Pigman

Title: The Pigman

Author:Paul Zindel


ISBN: 978-0060757359

Publisher: HarperTeen

Copyright: 1968
 Plot Summary: This story starts with John and Lorraine making prank phone calls. Mr. Pignati answers one and John and Lorraine pretend to be a charity, to which Mr. Pignati pledges ten dollars. John and Lorraine both come from troubled homes, and when the go to collect their ten dollars from Mr. Pignati they bond. Soon John and Lorraine hang out everyday after school with him, until Mr. Pignati has a heart attack playing tag. While he is in the hospital he leaves John and Lorraine in charge of his home but will they be able to handle the responsibility?

Critical Evaluation:  Paul Zindel makes these teenagers real. They are written in an honest way that makes them feel like real teenagers. Chapters are written from both Lorraine and John, and you get a real sense of the people that they are based on their words, and the emotions lying in the subtext. The reader also feels bad for Mr. Pignati and his loneliness is palpable throughout the text. Even though this book was written in 1968 it is timeless. The ending of this story is well written and surprising to many.

Reader's Annotation:  John and Lorraine enjoy making prank calls until one call changes the way things are forever.

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Classic, Young adult

Author Information: Paul Zindel's bibliography includes a sequel to The Pigman and other titles like, My Darling, My Hamburger, and Pardon me, You're stepping on my eyeball! For more information and other titles by Paul Zindel visit http://www.paulzindel.com

Book talks: Prank calling, love, family, friends

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School


Challenge: Alcohol and tobacco use. These are used as a plot device in some ways to illustrate the behavior of troubled teens like John and Lorraine.
 
Why was this book chosen?:  I had to read this book in summer school and really enjoyed it.