The Pigman

Zindel, Paul.  The Pigman. New York: Harper Collins, 1987.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Personal Reaction to the book: Lorainne and John become friends with Mr. Pignati when Lorainne calls him as a prank and goes to his home to collect money he was giving for charity.  From the very beginning of the book we realize Mr. Pignati would eventually die, but I was unsure of what to expect otherwise. As with many teen novels the parents of Lorainne and John were a very small part of the story.  The friendship between them and Pigman begins and ends in a zoo with Bobo a mean baboon.

I found this book to be quite hope filled, despite the death of Pigman and the trust that was lost between him and Lorainne and John.  It seems as though despite the loss of his wife, Mr. Pignati worked to make the best of every opportunity in his life.  Mr. Pignati offered to give ten dollars to a charity and befriended two young kids, he rode rollerblades through his home, he ate chocolate covered ants.

Author Facts: Paul Zindel was born on Staten Island and later majored in Chemistry while still living on Staten Island.  Zindel taught high school chemistry and physics for ten years and later decided to write full time.  At the age of 66 Zindel died of cancer, after writing numerous plays and books.

Author Website: http://www.paulzindel.com/bio/nytimesobit.htm