The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City is a good book by Jodi Kendall. It tells you about a how hard Jodi's life is being tall, and her parents aren't blessed as most are. Her brother saves the life of a little pig named hamlet. Jodi convinces her parents to keep hamlet. She was to find Hamlet a home before NewYears, that was the deal otherwise Jodi's parents would give Hamlet away to anyone, even if it meant to a bacon factory. Jodi had to pay for hamlets food and everything she needed. She was saving her money up for gymnastics though. She ends up getting too attached to Hamlet and feels as if she's apart of their family. She and her friends to keep Hamlet. Finding what are the reasons they should keep him and such. New Years is cutting close and so now she goes to her moms friend that's an expert with animals and asked her what she should do. She doesn't want to give Hamlet away, but she doesn't want her parents to give Hamlet to person who will make her breakfast. The fallowing day the police show up at her door saying have a pet in her apartment is validating code and laws. So Jodi sits down with hamlet and asks her what he wants even though it's ridiculous. But Jodi is gonna try it 'cause her moms friend said she does that sometimes and it helps her. Hamlet didn't want to stay even thought Hamlet loves Jodi, Hamlet wants to be free and live in the open farms. Ends up she gave away Hamlet to a nice family, her neighbors siblings, and will always be able to visit.

In my personal opinion I can relate to her about being tall, I know this is stupid to talk about. But I wanted to be a gymnast forever, but since I didn't start when I was little it's too late to start. I thinks its so sweet that she wanted to save Hamlet and I wouldn't have wanted to give him up either but she made the right choice. ( )

Literary Merit: Very Good
Characterization: Good
Recommended: Yes
Level: 5-8

Josie Shilling lives in a small house in an Ohio City with her mother and father, younger sister Amelia, two older sisters Ellen and Sarah and her college age brother, Tom. On Thanksgiving Day, Tom comes home from school with a little piglet that he rescued off a farm and facing certain death since he was the runt of the litter. Thinking the pig would make a great pet for their family, Tom quickly learns otherwise, when his father makes it quite clear it’s out of the question.

After some heart wrenching family discussion, Mr. Shilling agrees to let the little piglet stay with the stipulation that the piglet must be out of the house by New Year’s Day. Josie who has always felt lonely in spite of her over crowded house and limited friends at Henderson Middle School is determined to come to the rescue of her new temporary pet, she names Hamlet. Josie’s family struggles with financial problems so even paying for his food is a challenge, in spite of that she is determined to do whatever it takes to secure a good home for Hamlet.

After school, Josie participates on a gymnastics team to pass away her time; but now her desire to compete and become a gymnast takes a back seat in her mind as she is consumed with saving her little pig. Caring for Hamlet takes time which forces Josie to confront herself about what’s important in life as she faces a variety of tough decisions to save her little pig. Most of all, Josie must get out of herself and reaching out to others whether it be at home, school or our community, if she is to succeed with her goal.

Josie’s resolve and perseverance in spite of all the obstacles she must face makes her a stronger person at the end of the day. The main idea of the story is that when you truly devoted to a cause, you must be willing to make sacrifices to see it through, but in doing that you find that the real treasures in life come with a price that cannot be bought. Hamlet does find a home; but the journey, however stressful and heart wrenching is one Josie would treasure for a lifetime and all part of growing up. Highly recommended for middle school readers. ( )