It looks like you're offline. Show Previews available in: English To a thirteen-year-old Vermont farm boy whose father slaughters pigs for a living, maturity comes early as he learns "doing what's got to be done," especially regarding his pet pig who cannot produce a litter. Read more Read less Subjects Farm life, Fathers and sons, Fiction, Fiction in English, Juvenile fiction, Pigs, Swine, Teenage boys, Children's fiction, Adolescence, fiction, Vermont, fiction, Large type books, Fiction, thrillers, suspense Book DetailsDewey Decimal Class [Fic] Library of Congress PZ7.P339 Day
Pagination150 p. Number of pages150 First Sentence"I should of been in school that April day." Work Description"We're not rich, Papa." "Yes we are, boy. We have one another to fend to, and this land to tend." When young Rob Peck saves a neighbor's cow, the neighbor gives him a pig as a reward. Pinky is Rob's constant companion as he juggles backbreaking farm work with the schooling that is so important to his father. Pinky is a pet and a friend, but on a farm, every animal must have its use. And on a farm, even a boy must sometimes be a man. Will the support of a loving family and the plainspoken Shaker teachings of his father, Haven, be enough to see Rob through on the day no pigs would die? - Back cover. Read more Read less Links outside Open Library
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Marleny Beautiful coming-of-age story that I highly recommend. There is one description of putting a maiden sow to the boar in hopes of a pregnancy resulting …moreBeautiful coming-of-age story that I highly recommend. There is one description of putting a maiden sow to the boar in hopes of a pregnancy resulting from the union and it's pretty graphic as is a scene of slaughtering a pig. The story takes place on a farm and the author shares with the reader life and death so just be sure your child can handle it. Personally, I think it's fine for the 12+ year-old.(less) Community Reviews· 9,696 ratings · 921 reviews Start your review of A Day No Pigs Would Die
Jun 21, 2017 Stacy rated it really liked it A Day No Pigs Would Die is a book about a Shaker boy, Robert Peck,
growing up in Vermont in a poor family. He skips school, and while playing hookie, comes upon a neighbor's cow in the woods who is struggling to give birth. Robert helps the calf be born, but also discovers that the cow is struggling to breathe because of something in its throat, which he manages to remove (turns out to be a goiter), saving its life. Out of gratitude, the neighbor gives Robert a baby pig, that Robert comes dearly A Day No Pigs Would
Die is a book about a Shaker boy, Robert Peck, growing up in Vermont in a poor family. He skips school, and while playing hookie, comes upon a neighbor's cow in the woods who is struggling to give birth. Robert helps the calf be born, but also discovers that the cow is struggling to breathe because of something in its throat, which he manages to remove (turns out to be a goiter), saving its life. Out of gratitude, the neighbor gives Robert a baby pig, that Robert comes dearly to love. The book
is the tale of a boy, on the verge of becoming a man, and some difficult, painful lessons that he learns. I really enjoyed this book, with its quaint local dialect and phrasing-- so did my son as I read it aloud to him on our errands.
This book has stayed with me for over 20 years and read it again tonight and cried just as hard as I did when I read it for the first time as a child. It's a horribly sad, yet beautiful story. As an adult, I found the relationships more touching than I did when I read it as a child. The heartbreak was felt, though in different ways. I don't know how old I want my children to be when they read this book, but they will read it one day. This book has stayed with me for over 20 years and read it again tonight and cried just as hard as I did when I read it for the first time as a child. It's a horribly sad, yet beautiful story. As an adult, I found the relationships more touching than I did when I read it as a child. The heartbreak was felt, though in different ways. I don't know how old I want my children to be when they read this book, but they will read it one day. ...more
Many readers don't like A Day No Pigs Would Die because of its religious connotations and its "sexism." Personally, I loved it because it depicts real life in all its glory...and its
gruesomeness. Robert is a young boy who learns the reality of life's hardships - the necessity of doing the hard things, the joys of the little things, the truth about making decisions and becoming a man. Though I'm female, I could sympathize with Robert's maturing into an adult and coming face to face with the trut Robert is a young boy who learns the reality of life's hardships - the necessity of doing the hard things, the joys of the little things, the truth about making decisions and becoming a man. Though I'm female, I could sympathize with Robert's maturing into an adult and coming face to face with the truths that parents so often try to spare us from. I especially enjoyed the character of Robert's father who, though
perhaps traditional and sometimes overbearing, is the silent hero of the book, the man who has learned life the hard way and seeks to still create a safe place for his wife and son. This book is about realizing that your parents don't have it all together, that they are smarter than you realized, that they often do everything they do for you, and that you too will have to make the tough decisions like they have. It's a fantastic family/coming-of-age story, and one I will probably revisit
in the future. I also can't wait to delve into Peck's other works, though none, I doubt, are as compellingly real and moving as this book, which, it turns out, is actually semi-autobiographical.
I came across this book after doing some research (for my current novel) on junior high required reading lists, and thought I'd try it. I finished it last night, and found myself horrified
that junior high students might actually be required to struggle through it. Billed as a sweet little farm tale, or a coming-of-age story of a Vermont Shaker boy, there were elements that absolutely appalled me. First let me say that I am a farm woman, used to the gritty details of farm life, and in fact, I us I came across this book after doing some research (for my current novel) on junior high required reading lists, and thought I'd try it. I
finished it last night, and found myself horrified that junior high students might actually be required to struggle through it. Billed as a sweet little farm tale, or a coming-of-age story of a Vermont Shaker boy, there were elements that absolutely appalled me. First let me say that I am a farm woman, used to the gritty details of farm life, and in fact, I usually enjoy reading about them. But this was not so much a story, as one man's memoir of an obviously horrid time in his life. The first
half of this book is almost as benign as Babe or Charlotte's Web, with homespun wisdom and a boy frolicking with his pig. But some of the details in the second half were not only gruesome, but in some cases just ignorant and brutal. Sorry, but I can't imagine how reading this book today, in this world, would further a thirteen-year-old's education. For historical coming-of-age novels regarding the death of a beloved animal, there are much better ones to recommend: Old Yeller, by Fred Gipson,
Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls, or The Yearling, by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. For a more recent coming-of-age book depicting the hardships of ranch life (as well as dads away at war) I'd heartily recommend Heart of a Shepherd, by Rosanne Parry. Please, if we are going to require students to read certain books, let's give them books they can actually relate to, with at least some sensibility into subject matter, and try to instill in them a love of reading - not make them hate
it.
Jan 06, 2010 Josiah rated it liked it "'Never miss a chance', Papa had once said, 'to keep your mouth shut.'" —A Day No Pigs Would Die, P. 91 Here is truly one of the most memorable narrative voices in modern young adult literature. Robert Peck's life as the only surviving son of a quiet,
unassuming Shaker family isn't exactly fraught with action and adventure, but it sure seems that way. I think that is because of the power embedded in the deep emotional moments of his family's life, a life that adheres completely to the Shaker ide —A Day No Pigs Would Die, P. 91 Here is truly one of the most memorable narrative voices in modern young adult
literature. Robert Peck's life as the only surviving son of a quiet, unassuming Shaker family isn't exactly fraught with action and adventure, but it sure seems that way. I think that is because of the power embedded in the deep emotional moments of his family's life, a life that adheres completely to the Shaker ideal of "no frills." I fully expected this to be a good book, but what I didn't expect was the razor sharpness of the story's humor. When I say that, I'm talking
about quite a few moments that had me laughing out loud really hard, usually because of some surprising misconception on Robert's part about the world, arising from his simple country lifestyle. Some of these moments were absolutely hilarious, marking author Robert Newton Peck as a blistering wit who really knows what he's doing when it comes to comic writing. The majority of the book, though, is as unassuming as the Shaker roots of the Peck family. Robert's relationship with his
father is something of a paradox: so simple at times, yet with an ever-present potential for dynamic surprise that left me guessing throughout the narrative. There are some moments of surpassing tenderness; of understated, powerful grief that took me by the throat and wouldn't let go; and of observant wisdom that is so quietly weaved into the story that one can hardly tell it's even there. A Day No Pigs Would Die is a unique book in the truest sense of the word. You may have read a
thousand stories about a boy on a farm who lives with his underprivileged parents, but if you haven't read this book, you won't have experienced anything like it elsewhere. With few direct words it has a lot to teach the perceptive reader, as much through the scenes of humor as through the moments of blackest grief. This is most definitely a book to be read, reread, and handed down to be cherished by further generations. Don't miss it.
I didn't read this book as a young adult, but I recently read it as an old adult. This is one sad story. It could also go on the "I had to face the death of my beloved pet" shelf with Old Yeller and
Where the Red Fern Grows. At least the kids who loved those dogs didn't have to eat them. It could also go on the "I had to face the death of my beloved pet" shelf with
Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows. At least the kids who loved those dogs didn't have to eat them.
Nov 07, 2014 Heidi rated it it was amazing This book reflects the traditional roles for men and women that existed in farming
communities of that time. Any person who thinks that this book is sexist is an IDIOT! This book is very depressing and somewhat graphic in certain ways. I never thought that this was an appropriate book for young children. It is nice to know that real life is always so sunny and so wonderful. This book certainly doesn't reflect how wonderful and how perfect life in this country really is. I guess that is why there ar Any person who thinks that this book is sexist is an IDIOT! This book is very depressing and somewhat graphic in certain ways. I never thought that this was an appropriate book for young children. It is nice to know that real life is always so sunny and so wonderful. This book certainly doesn't reflect how wonderful and how perfect life in this country really is. I guess that is why
there are so many suicides and so many attempted suicides in this country. That said, I will again say that I never thought this was an appropriate book for young children. As a matter of fact, I think adults in general would enjoy it more. Now to go on to say this is one of my favorite novels of all time. This is a book that if I am depressed or upset it really makes me feel better to read it. I think this book is incredibly well written. The fact that it is really more
non-fiction than fiction makes it better. I love this book. It is one of the three best novels that I have ever read in my life.
Mar 05, 2012 Dora Okeyo rated it it was amazing "A Farmer's heart is rabbit soft, That's what caught my attention. It has a powerful beginning and it sums up what the book is all about. I loved reading this book, because everything is told from the perspective of a child-who turns thirteen after his Father's death. Their neighbor, Mr. Tanner tells him at thirteen is when a boy becomes a man, and he yearns for his Father love and guidance, but all he That's what caught my attention. It has a powerful beginning and it sums up what the book is all about. I loved reading this book, because everything is told from the perspective of a child-who turns thirteen after his Father's death. Their neighbor, Mr. Tanner tells him at thirteen is when a boy becomes a man, and
he yearns for his Father love and guidance, but all he's left with are the lessons he was taught, the Shaker way.
Sep 05, 2011 Joanne rated it it was amazing I am amazed at many of the negative opinions regarding this book. It is
very well written, the author balances humor with realism and emotional content. Although there are some disturbing scenes, they are not fictional violence, but a part of the life of the time and place. My book club read this as adults and many of them were more upset at the scenes than the students who read the book. Sometimes as adults we seem to read more into things than children do. Weasling the dogs was very hard for m I am amazed at many of
the negative opinions regarding this book. It is very well written, the author balances humor with realism and emotional content. Although there are some disturbing scenes, they are not fictional violence, but a part of the life of the time and place. My book club read this as adults and many of them were more upset at the scenes than the students who read the book. Sometimes as adults we seem to read more into things than children do. Weasling the dogs was very hard for most adults, but many of
the kids took it in stride. The only thing they had problems with was "parsing" a sentence. After explaining that it was like "diagramming" a sentence, they really enjoyed that scene. As both adults and students we questioned the Shaker connection because the Shakers with which we are familiar did not marry and lived in communities. I think this is an excellent book and would recommend it as a good read for anyone interested in young adult/children's fiction. However, have some tissues handy.
Oct 08, 2015 Eric Oppen rated it did not like it This was the only book I ever rebelled against. In
ninth grade, we were given it to read, and after a few pages, I closed it and said I'd read no more. This was unprecedented behavior for me, since I was normally quite docile vis-a-vis my teachers; open rebellion was unheard of. My teacher knew me well, and asked me why I had said I wouldn't read it. After class, I took him to the library, hauled down the "S" volume of the encyclopedia, and opened it to the article about the Shakers. Unlike the " My teacher knew me well, and asked me why I had said I wouldn't read it. After class, I took him to the library, hauled down the "S" volume of the encyclopedia, and opened it to
the article about the Shakers. Unlike the "Shaker" family in this book, real Shakers lived (and live) in communal manner, rather like a co-ed monastery...and they D-O N-O-T H-A-V-E S-E-X, much less families! I asked: "If this author couldn't be bothered to do five minutes' worth of homework before writing this "autobiographical" novel, why should I read it? Other errors include things like dates. Peck was born a long time after the Shakers had all but died out, so if this is based on
his own boyhood, he must come from an alternate history. And a real farmer would know perfectly well when a pig was in heat, and not bother introducing the boar until that time, leaving one of the most lurid passages condemned as unnecessary cruelty.
Nov 20, 2009 Joy rated it it was amazing This was a sweet coming-of-age story about a Shaker boy in Vermont and "his acceptance of faith, death,
and the hard work of wresting a life from the land." In the course of a year, the 13-year-old takes on
Dec 20, 2007 Jennie rated it it was ok Although overall I enjoyed the book, I felt it would be somewhat challenging for younger readers. Pinky’s rape scene is quite brutal, and although there is some truth to the grotesquerie of animal husbandry- I found it a bit gruesome. Also there is quite a bit of sexism, which I found unpleasant, especially in the assumption that Pinky will be better now that she has been raped. Also the Shaker values are historically inaccurate in many ways rendering the text useless to a history class.
Feb 13, 2009 Art rated it it was amazing A boy becoming a man and the women who help and shape him.
I read this book when I was very young. This book, Charlotte's Web and Summer of My German Soldier were the first three books I ever read cover to cover. This was the absolute first. I never believed that I could read a book all the way to the end until I read this book. To me, when I was in 4th grade, a book was an intimidating thing. I also did not believe in my own abilities. This book changed my way of thinking towards books. I discovered that reading was fun and entertaining and that books I read this book when I was very young. This book, Charlotte's Web and Summer of My German Soldier were the first three books I ever read cover to cover. This was the absolute first. I never believed that I could read a book all the way to the end until I read this book. To me, when I was in 4th grade, a book was an intimidating thing. I also did not believe in my own abilities. This book changed my way of thinking towards books. I discovered that reading was fun and entertaining and that books could be adventures. This book however is not just for kids. This is an excellent book with some pretty big themes. Check it out. It is short. A quick read but worth every second. ...more
Boy, nothing like starting out a kids book with ripping a goiter out of cow's neck. My reading teacher read this aloud in class. More like A Day No Kids Would Eat. Normally I really enjoy horrifically downbeat "young adult" books from this era, but this book and I never really hit it off. Give me good ol' Robert Cormier or M.E. Kerr anyday. Boy, nothing like starting out a kids book with ripping a goiter out of cow's neck. My reading teacher read this aloud in class. More like A Day No Kids Would Eat. Normally I really enjoy horrifically downbeat "young adult" books from this era, but this book and I never really hit it off. Give me good ol' Robert Cormier or M.E. Kerr anyday. ...more
Mar 03, 2018 Philip rated it really liked it *A spoiler or two ahead, but nothing (in my mind) that warrants spoiler
tags. I remember reading this book when I was in 7th grade, and liking it then. It's one of those books from Junior High that stuck with me - like To Build a Fire (7th grade), Hatchet (8th grade), To Kill a
Mockingbird, (9th grade)... I liked it then, but the chapters I remembered most (and found horrifying) were not the chapters that stuck out to me this time. ...I had remembered the weaseling, in particular. Instead of writin I remember reading this book when I was in 7th grade, and liking it then. It's one of those books from Junior High that stuck with
me - like To Build a Fire (7th grade), Hatchet (8th grade), To Kill a Mockingbird, (9th grade)... I liked it then, but the chapters I remembered most (and found horrifying) were not the chapters that stuck
out to me this time. ...I had remembered the weaseling, in particular. Instead of writing about Rob's coming of age, and learning that growing up is doing what needs to be done, I'm going to focus on the weirdest and most (truly) horrifying chapter in the book: chapter eight. Before chapter 8, the book is all, pig, pig, pig, pig, pig, pig, pig. Getting the pig, naming the pig, building the pig a house, raising the pig... The pig touches on everything. And after chapter 8, we're right
back to the pig: taking the pig to the fair, showing the pig, aiming for some cute little piglets... But rest assured, although Pinky wasn't featured, there was a pig introduced in this chapter. There in the middle of the book we have this cryptic chapter 8. Middle of the night, pouring rain. Thunder, lightening. A light in the barn and Rob hears voices. Mrs. Hillman's come in, telling Rob's mom something that Rob can't decipher. Rob goes back to bed, but gets called down to help. He ends
up going to the town graveyard, where a Sebring Hillman is digging up a woman who died by suicide, as well as her infant. Rob's pacifist, Shaker father takes his gun with him to the graveyard to dissuade (unspoken intimidation?) Sebring, but ends up helping him. One gets the impression that young Rob didn't really catch what was going on. He's writing about it reflectively as an adult, now understanding it. And rest assured as a middle schooler, I didn't pick up on a lot of the
chapter either. I don't even remember it being in the book, but it's weird. A crazed man digging up an infant corpse in the middle of a rainy night? Let me quickly unravel what's happened: Sebring's wife is sick, so they hire Haven's young cousin to help around the farm. Sebring sneaks her into the barn, where they have sex - and presumably this happens often. From her sick bed window Sebring's wife could see their comings and goings. Letty (the girl) gets pregnant, has the
child, drowns it, then hangs herself - presumably from shame. The town asks the father to step forward, but no one does. Sebring (who knows how long later) finally feels the guilt, has gone back in the dead of night - so does he really want to make ammends? - to dig up the baby and bury it on his land as one of his own children. Haven doesn't want his cousin's grave disturbed, but agrees to let Sebring take the baby back to his land. They get the body and head home, a
trip which Sebring - now free of his guilt - seems to enjoy: "I want so much breakfast it'll bust britches and crack floors. I never felt so good in a long time" Once home, he has a nice cup of hot coffee and says, "Let's go home, May," to his wife, who is silent. I can't imagine a junior high kid piecing together this chapter. But here it is: this chapter encapsulates the tension between duty and shirked responsibility. The big lesson of Rob's coming of age story is this: "That's what
being a man is all about, boy. It's just doing what needs to be done." Sebring is Haven's foil. When does he do what needs to be done? He's shirked his responsibility to his wife. He's shirked his responsibility to his lover, and their child. He's shirked his responsibility to the town. Only now, in the dead of night, is he willing to fess up to what he's done. His absolution is certainly not absolute, though he appears to feel like it is. Haven, on the other hand, forgives him. He helps
him retrieve the baby and fill in the grave. He returns him to his disgraced wife and feeds him breakfast. Haven, as a neighbor, had a responsibility to his irresponsible neighbor. He just does what needs to be done. Always. A part of the chapter that shouldn't be overlooked comes early. May Hillman is talking to Rob's mom, "...and don't think I don't know where. Spade and all, I saw him go. He picked a night like this so nobody'd see him rile her grave. I know." Although her husband
never owned up, she knew he was the father. And she went to the Peck's. And without being told, they knew he was the father. From this, a reader can infer that everyone knew. But Sebring still held to his delusion that no one knew. And the fact that May told the Peck's straight up, "I know" suggests that she not only knew, but knew that everyone else knew as well, and that she knew they were tiptoeing around her. Nobody talked about it in order to make their existence
bearable. How depressing is that? We pick up different things when we read books at different times in our lives. At this point in my life, I don't remember what I thought of this chapter when I was in seventh grade. But I know my opinion now. Although Pinky weighed 400 lbs, Sebring Hillman was the biggest pig in this book. ...more
Jul 25, 2008 Carmen rated it it was amazing I thought it was a book about a poor Shaker farmboy and his pet; about half way through the novel, I realized I was greatly mistaken. This novel is about love: a boy's love for his pet, in the first half, but the story is really about his love for his father. It's about
understanding. The boy understands his father through loss, and it is a beautiful story told in authentic voice. Some reviewers complain about the sexism in the story; um, do they know anything about the time period of the book? O Some reviewers complain about the sexism in the story; um, do they know anything about the time period of the book? Others complain about the brutality of farm life. Yes, begetting and killing and taming are all included in the story. And the weasel episode is horrifying. But that doesn't make the novel a bad one. What
makes me give this book five stars? The poetry of Peck's characters' voices. Humor. The storyline itself. Love without sentimentality. Authenticity. A line that broke my heart is when Rob stands before a mirror, preparing for a funeral, and his clothes don't fit and he feels like a clown: "Hear me, God. It's hell to be poor." And those words in that context just rocked my comfortable world filled with books and refrigeration and central air and electricity. Some adolescents read this too
soon--maybe it's best left to kids with a few more years under their belt; certainly Rob's world is radically different from the world my surburban kiddos inhabit.
Jun 12, 2020 Bo Xin Zhao rated it really liked it A Day No Pigs Would Die, a book among the
top 100 banned books was an heartbreaking and cruel read about the hardships of living in poverty. One of the main themes was about modesty and living conservatively. As rob helps the birth of two animals, he is rewarded with a pig: Pinky. Robert, the only son in the family, cares for Pinky more than he cared for himself. As the book unfolded, Rob has spectacular experiences with Pinky. His relation with it strengthens. Yet it became more and more clear
A Day No Pigs Would Die, a book among the top 100 banned books was an heartbreaking and cruel read about the hardships of living in poverty. One of the main themes was about modesty and living conservatively. As rob helps the birth of two animals, he is rewarded with a pig: Pinky. Robert, the only son in the family, cares for Pinky more than he cared for himself. As the book unfolded, Rob has spectacular experiences with Pinky. His relation with it
strengthens. Yet it became more and more clear that Pinky could not reproduce. In addition, she was gaining much more weight than originally planned. The ominous truth is explicitly carried out in the last chapter. Pinky is brutally butchered by Rob’s father, who cries for the first time. The reader experiences how a single pig meant so much to Rob. At last, Rob is weighed with a heavy job of caring for the entire farm alone. That's right. His father died. Not the normal “fairy tale ending” is
it? Well guess why? Because there’s a sequel. I am looking forward to reading “ A Part of the Sky.” How will Rob manage the farm himself? Will he continue his dad’s role as butchering pigs? Will he quit his education, to get himself a job? I also advise curious readers to skip a part of chapter 13. (It's not something Seventh Graders normally read) But then again saying that makes you more curious, doesn't it....
Review “Reading this book is like sipping hot cider in front of a crackling potbellied stove. Every page is suffused with wit and charm and glowing with warmth.”–Newsweek “A lovely book. . . . Honest, moving, homely in the warm and simple sense of the word. . . . It is small, accepting and loving and it succeeds perfectly.”–Boston Globe “You’ll find yourself caught
up in the novel’s emotion from the very opening scene. . . . Love suffuses every page.”–*The New York Times "With plenty of Yankee com “Reading this book is like sipping hot cider in front of a crackling potbellied stove. Every page is suffused with wit and charm and glowing with warmth.”–Newsweek “A lovely book. . . . Honest, moving, homely in the warm and simple sense of the word. . . . It is
small, accepting and loving and it succeeds perfectly.”–Boston Globe “You’ll find yourself caught up in the novel’s emotion from the very opening scene. . . . Love suffuses every page.”–*The New York Times "With plenty of Yankee common sense and dry wit, and some pathos as the boy at 13 takes on the duties of a man. For boys of this age and for the young of any age."--School Library Journal. * Originally published in hardcover in
1972, A Day No Pigs Would Die was one of the first young adult books, along with titles like The Outsiders and The Chocolate War. In it, author Robert Newton Peck weaves a story of
I wasn't sure if I should put this on my "memoirs" shelf as well, as Robert Peck uses his own name, along with those of his father, mother, etc... However, it's catagorized as "historical fiction." Any thoughts on this anyone? I haven't read this book since high
school and junior high school, but thought I would pick it up again because, well because it's been so long. I found the dialogue in chapter three very similar to Robert Frost 's poem The Mending Wall Yes, good fences make good neighbors I haven't read this book since high school and junior high school, but thought I would
pick it up again because, well because it's been so long. I found the dialogue in chapter three very similar to Robert Frost 's poem The Mending Wall Yes, good fences make good neighbors. I also saw a greater love in the father's deer hunt. I
remember this being mentioned when I read it for class ("so many years ago") but I guess I thought about it more this time around.
I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book that explores the maturity of the relationship between child and father as quickly, keenly, and adeptly as Robert Newton Peck’s “A Day No Pigs Would Die.” Not
only did I enjoy this novel because of its history, its tribute to rural life, and its coming-of-age story, but the protagonist Rob’s little wonders, thrills, adventures, and lessons in life — all accented by and around animals — brought brief nostalgic memories of my own upbringing on my dad’s small I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book that explores the maturity of the relationship between child and father as quickly, keenly, and adeptly as
Robert Newton Peck’s “A Day No Pigs Would Die.” Not only did I enjoy this novel because of its history, its tribute to rural life, and its coming-of-age story, but the protagonist Rob’s little wonders, thrills, adventures, and lessons in life — all accented by and around animals — brought brief nostalgic memories of my own upbringing on my dad’s small ranch. I don’t know how I would’ve responded to this novel as a youth (the target audience), but as an adult it made me feel deeper than most
books do. (So much so that the last two chapters had me ugly-crying way more than I would’ve expected.) But teardrops and all, it was well worth the journey.
Apr 10, 2015 K rated it it was amazing I read this novel when I was in my early teens solely because it was banned from the school library. Nothing made me want to read a book more than when it was banned, so I immediately borrowed a copy from the public
library. I remember that I loved the story, but I could not recall all that much about it. I decided to read it aloud to my son and I am so glad I did. It is now one of his favorite books. I am a bit perplexed why it was ever banned, as well as why some readers denounce the book becau I remember that I loved the story, but I could not recall all that much about it. I decided to read it aloud to my son and I am so glad I did. It is now one of his favorite books. I am a bit perplexed why it was ever banned, as well as why some readers denounce the book because of "animal cruelty." This is a story of life on a Vermont farm in the 1930's. Life is cruel at times. I have no doubt that most of the events
actually did happen since the story is semi-autobiographical. That is why I loved reading it.
Whoa, I'm almost 100% certain that I read this in either the eight or ninth grade, and I loved it then. I'm curious if I'll love it now. Seems like I've been searching for the title of this book for years, and as soon as it popped up in a search, I knew instantly that I'd found it. Funny how that happens, isn't it?:) Whoa, I'm almost 100% certain that I read this in either the eight or ninth grade, and I loved it then. I'm curious if I'll love it now. Seems like I've been searching for the title of this book for years, and as soon as it popped up in a search, I knew instantly that I'd found it. Funny how that happens, isn't it?:) ...more
Aug 14, 2011 Samantha rated it it was ok My english class read this book, and while my amazingly awesome english teacher also introduced me to a great little read called A Christmas Carol(woo!) I didn't care for this particular book. What can I say? It's not the book for me. I personally feel that the characters were bland. I couldn't bring myself to love, hate, or connect with any of them. Pretty much my entire emotion was disgust. Bloody cow birth, gruesome pig rape. *shudder* I remember reading the pig rape part on the bus to school My english class read this book, and while my amazingly awesome english teacher also introduced me to a great little read called A Christmas Carol(woo!) I didn't care for this particular book. What can I say? It's not the book for me. I personally feel that the characters were bland. I couldn't bring myself to love, hate, or connect with any of them. Pretty much my entire emotion was disgust. Bloody cow birth, gruesome pig rape. *shudder* I remember reading the pig rape part on the bus to school. When I walked inside my friends all asked me why I looked so sick. I shared it with them. Noone could believe it. Ew. After we finished, we were assigned an essay in which we would have to present things that the main character learned. Even though I didn't like the book, I had plenty to write in my essay. I just feel that the story and characters were all over the place and really didn't appeal to me. ...more
Jan 01, 2020 Lisa rated it did not like it I started reading this, considering it for a high school American Literature class, and didn't even finish. The coming-of-age theme and rural farm setting are fine, but they are depicted better in other books I think. In some ways this seemed like the Yearling all ever again. But what made it worse was the sexual violence graphically described between the animals--and reading the first chapter of the sequel shows the exact same theme in that book as well. This very well may be a realistic depict I started reading this, considering it for a high school American Literature class, and didn't even finish. The coming-of-age theme and rural farm setting are fine, but they are depicted better in other books I think. In some ways this seemed like the Yearling all ever again. But what made it worse was the sexual violence graphically described between the animals--and reading the first chapter of the sequel shows the exact same theme in that book as well. This very well may be a realistic depiction of some aspects of farm life, but to describe what is essentially rape so graphically in a book for young readers, and then insinuate it is normal (and she will like it better next time) is not okay. This is the last thing teenagers should be reading. ...more
A great coming of age story about young Rob Peck, a 12-year old kid. I can imagine why people are criticizing this book - some disturbing scenes involving animal slaughter, 'rape' and what may be
perceived as sexism. However, the story is poignant and moving, and seems to convey the realities of a boy on the verge of becoming a man. Due to sheer chance, Rob gets to own Pinky, a cute little pig who becomes his best friend ever. From then on, life changes and culminates in Rob's coming of age. Beaut However, the story is poignant and moving, and seems to convey the realities of a boy on the verge of becoming a man. Due to sheer chance, Rob gets to own Pinky, a cute little pig who becomes his best friend ever. From then on, life changes and culminates in Rob's coming of age. Beautifully narrated, this book has me wanting to know more about Rob's struggles on his farm.
This is one of my favorite mandatory school reads I read in middle school. The story was engaging with Northeastern life and Quaker beliefs that I found fascinating since it is vastly different from my life. Funny enough this book was how I found out about the Quaker Oats Man being of the Quaker in this book. I think everyone should read this book at least once in their life since it shows how wonderful a the family dynamic was and how deep a love for pets can go. It is also very funny to read. This is one of my favorite mandatory school reads I read in middle school. The story was engaging with Northeastern life and Quaker beliefs that I found fascinating since it is vastly different from my life. Funny enough this book was how I found out about the Quaker Oats Man being of the Quaker in this book. I think everyone should read this book at least once in their life since it shows how wonderful a the family dynamic was and how deep a love for pets can go. It is also very funny to read. I laughed out loud so many times my family kept asking me what I was laughing at. ...more
This was a realistic depiction of coming of age on a Shaker farm in Vermont. Peck described all the ins and outs of farm life, and some of it was pretty hard for me to take at times. I'll admit to bawling my eyes out at the ending. This book was very well-written, but I'd have liked one more chapter. We got to see Robert become a man in the eyes of his neighbors. I'd have liked to see his new journey start. This was a realistic depiction of coming of age on a Shaker farm in Vermont. Peck described all the ins and outs of farm life, and some of it was pretty hard for me to take at times. I'll admit to bawling my eyes out at the ending. This book was very well-written, but I'd have liked one more chapter. We got to see Robert become a man in the eyes of his neighbors. I'd have liked to see his new journey start. ...more
Dec 14, 2016 Taylor Guffey rated it it was amazing This was one of my fifth grade teacher's favorite books, and I can see why. I was more interested in this book when I found out that the whole story is true--sort of an autobiographical account or memoir. I wouldn't recommend this to just anyone because it has a lot of farm terminology, but marrying into a farming family made this book hilarious to me. I can definitely see how it would be a great read for the reluctant readers in rural areas. This was one of my fifth grade teacher's favorite books, and I can see why. I was more interested in this book when I found out that the whole story is true--sort of an autobiographical account or memoir. I wouldn't recommend this to just anyone because it has a lot of farm terminology, but marrying into a farming family made this book hilarious to me. I can definitely see how it would be a great read for the reluctant readers in rural areas. ...more
I had to read this in middle school. It was disgusting and disturbing because all I remember is one pig screaming and bleeding as the male mated with her. Sick. I didn't grow up on a farm or ever see animals mating, so I always assumed it was a quiet ordeal. Thanks to this book, I learned that it isn't. I had to read this in middle school. It was disgusting and disturbing because all I remember is one pig screaming and bleeding as the male mated with her. Sick. I didn't grow up on a farm or ever see animals mating, so I always assumed it was a quiet ordeal. Thanks to this book, I learned that it isn't. ...more
From Wikipedia-- Robert Newton Peck is an American author of books for young adults. His titles include Soup and A Day No Pigs Would Die. He claims to have been born on February 17, 1928, in Vermont, but has refused to specify where. Similarly, he claims to have graduated from a high school in Texas, which he has also refused to identify. Some sources state that he was born in Nashville, Tennessee Robert Newton Peck is an American author of books for young adults. His titles include Soup and A Day No Pigs Would Die. He claims to have been born on February 17, 1928, in Vermont, but has refused to specify where. Similarly, he claims to have graduated from a high school in Texas, which he has also refused to identify. Some sources state that he was born in Nashville, Tennessee (supposedly where his mother was born,
though other sources indicate she was born in Ticonderoga, New York, and that Peck, himself, may have been born there.) The only reasonably certain Vermont connection is that his father was born in Cornwall. Peck has written over sixty books including a great book explaining his childhood to becoming a teenager working on the farm called: A Day no Pigs would Die He was a smart student, although his schooling was cut short by World War II. During and shortly after the conflict,
he served as a machine-gunner in the U.S. Army 88th Infantry Division. Upon returning to the United States, he entered Rollins College, graduating in 1953. He then entered Cornell Law School, but never finished his course of study. Newton married Dorothy Anne Houston and fathered two children, Anne and Christopher. The best man at the wedding and the godfather to the children was Fred Rogers of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood fame. A Day No Pigs Would Die was his first novel,
published in 1972 when he was already 44 years old. From then on he continued his lifelong journey through literature. To date, he has been credited for writing 55 fiction books, 6 nonfiction books, 35 songs, 3 television specials and over a hundred poems. Several of his historical novels are about Fort Ticonderoga: Fawn, Hang for Treason, The King's Iron. In 1993, Peck was diagnosed with oral cancer, but survived. As of 2005, he was living in Longwood, Florida, where he has
in the past served as the director of the Rollins College Writers Conference. Peck sings in a barbershop quartet, plays ragtime piano, and is an enthusiastic speaker. His hobby is visiting schools, "to turn kids on to books." For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/robert-n... Other books in the seriesNews & Interviews"Autumn is as joyful and sweet as an untimely end." This slightly unnerving quote, from the French poet and novelist Rémy de Gourmont, nicely... “Never miss a chance...to keep your mouth shut.” — 30 likes “Somehow, the Good Lord don't want to see no man start a cold morning with just black coffee.” — 12 likes More quotes…Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Is A Day No Pigs Would Die a true story?A Day No Pigs Would Die is a semi-autobiographical novel by Robert Newton Peck about Rob Peck, a boy coming of age in rural Vermont on an impoverished farm.
How Does A Day No Pigs Would Die end?Robert hates his father in that moment, but when they are finished, Robert sees that his father's heart is broken, just like his own. Robert then forgives Haven. He kisses his father's hand and, for the first and last time, sees his father cry. Haven dies in his sleep in May of the next year.
What grade level is A Day No Pigs Would Die?Grade Level: 5.
What is the book A Day No Pigs Would Die about?In this classic autobiographical novel set in the 1920s in rural Vermont, 12-year-old Robert Peck comes of age when his father dies and leaves him to manage the farm. Robert Peck lives with his family in rural Vermont where his illiterate father makes a living killing pigs.
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