Very touching in some parts, too graphic in others. I decided it does not meet my shelf standard. ( )

I liked this book...but I don't think I'd hand it over to my 11-year-old. It's not that it's overly violent - although there's definitely some rough scenes - it's just that it might be a little too much for younger kids. The story was quick, it kept me reading, and I enjoyed references to Rutland (which is only 30 minutes away). It was a look into the past that I enjoyed along with some references local and of that time that I recognized. The semi-autobiographical nature of the book (with the author coming from and writing about a Shaker upbringing) also made it more interesting. ( )

semi-autobiographical

I through this will be about a boy who has a pet pig and he at odds with his father. Instead its a coming of age story. With a mix of laugh out lough and sad parts.

Just to let you know there are some brutal killing of animals. I couldn't stand reading through most of it.
I like Robert the way he has a lot of respect for his family and neighbors. He is quit a talker and will say the funniest of things, he also love his pet pig.
( )

This semi-autobiographical novel is a coming of age story that tells of Robert Peck growing up in a Shaker household in Vermont between the World Wars. Live is hard, but simple. Robert's loving but firm father, who can't read, teaches him the value of education, hard work, honesty, neighbors, family, responsibility, and many more things. Somewhat episodic, the series of story-chapters frequently focus on Pinky, a pig given to Robert by a neighbor in gratitude for a significant service Robert provides in the opening chapter. Robert loves Pinky - the only thing that has ever truly been his own. The book is sometimes quite funny, though its overall mood is a serious one. The last two or three chapters become quite somber, as Robert learns some of the most difficult lessons of his young life.
I always am left wondering in these "semi-autobiographical" books, just how much is fiction and how much isn't. One thing is certain though, Robert Peck, author of dozens of books for intermediate readers, loves honors and respects the illiterate father who raised him. In many ways, the book is a love song to his father. ( )