Paul Griffin does triple duty as author, narrator, and musician in this funny, touching story of a boy and his pig. Griffin infuses real feeling and an authentic Western Pennsylvania twang into the character of Renzo, who finds a runt piglet and names it Marty, after the father he never met. Over the course of a year, Renzo struggles with previously unknown truths about his father’s military service and confronts the potential loss of his best friend, the now-huge Marty, to the auction block. Griffin makes Renzo’s fear, grief, and joy part of the story as much with his tone as with his words. The vocal interludes of Paloma Lee, as performed by Sarah Whelan, are a special treat for the audio production. N.M. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

* "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

09/01/2017
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

★ 2017-07-17
A failing peach farm and a mountain of bills force 12-year-old Lorenzo Ventura's mother to consider selling his best friend, Marty—a 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)