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Pigboy
Dan is not sure he'll survive the boring field trip to a remote heritage farm. How could a place with no running water, telephone or electricity be anything but dull? The farmer knows nothing about farming and is angry about having to conduct the tour. And what's with his tattoo? The teacher requests a private word with the farmer and then mysteriously disappears. After a messy attack of allergies, Dan is excused to find a tissue. He sneaks back to the school bus and discovers the driver and teacher have been bound and gagged. The farmer is really an escaped convict with nasty plans. Will Dan be able to find help in time?
Also available in French.
Also available in French.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2006
33 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Grant
30 books138 followersAfter a long and messy adolescence, Vicki Grant stumbled into writing. She worked her way up from 30-second ads to 30-minute television scripts to full-length novels. She's written sixteen young adult, middle-grade and high-low novels. Her most recent YA novel, 36 Questions That Changed My Mind About You, has been published worldwide in over twenty territories.. Vicki lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2006): Quid Pro Quo
Red Maple Award: Not Suitable For Family Viewing
CBC Young Canada Reads: The Puppet Wrangler.
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2006): Quid Pro Quo
Red Maple Award: Not Suitable For Family Viewing
CBC Young Canada Reads: The Puppet Wrangler.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
March 3, 2020
In the book pigboy by Vicki Grant is A good fictional book for many reasons. I for one think it has a great climax,character development,and ending. The climax is the big part when Dan Hogg and his classmates go on an unsuspecting field trip to a farm. The trip turns for the worst when the host goes mad! The characters grow throughout the book. For example Shane is a bully at the beginning and he is very helpful towards the end. The ending is a typical happy ending but good. That is what the author did well.
My personal opinion is that it is a great book but i didn’t like the part when the fake Mr. van wart knocked out Ms. Caesar and the bus driver. I also think the start was good when they didn’t want to go on the field trip and when they did it turned bad i think that was foreshadowing. I think this is one of the better books i have read.
My personal opinion is that it is a great book but i didn’t like the part when the fake Mr. van wart knocked out Ms. Caesar and the bus driver. I also think the start was good when they didn’t want to go on the field trip and when they did it turned bad i think that was foreshadowing. I think this is one of the better books i have read.
January 8, 2019
It is a good book, I really enjoyed it! It was really intense I just wanted to know everything that was happening right away.
February 8, 2022
This was TORTURE.
March 10, 2022
Cute, enjoyable. Very funny and rather impossible at points, but it only adds to the plot!
November 27, 2014
Have you ever been bullied by someone because of your name? Well maybe you can relate to Dan Hog's. How ever Dan has no friends at all no one hangs with him. Pig Boy by Vicki Grant is a very good mysterious fiction book Dan is about 13 years old and is trying to survive middle school. Dan is not like all other kids in his class he has dyslexia and a weird body form. Dan goes to school and is picked on emotionally and Physically by a bully named Shane Collen. I really feel sorry for poor little Dan because he won't defend his self he's to scared so as a result he keeps getting beat up by Shane.
This book starts in the summer around 9:45 at heritage farm on a Tuesday. The conflict for this story is person vs. person because when Dan is on the at farming talking to the farmer *******spoiler alert******The farmer is really an escaped convict with nasty plans. On the other hand, The farmer knows nothing about farming and is angry about having to conduct the tour. Dan sneaks back to the school bus and discovers the driver and teacher have been bound and gagged By the farmer which is really his dad. As for this, Dan tells the police and they take him away and all the kids come home.
I rate this book 4 stars because it was good , at first i didn't know if i was going to really like this book but how ever it was good. I didn't like how the farmer kidnapped the substitute teacher in the middle. I recommend this book to anybody who like a good mysterious book because it was really good to me. “I'm going out,” I said.I loved the way that sounded. It was just like what the heroes say in war movies right before they hurl themselves out of the plane. Quote by Vicki Grant i love this author shes such an amazing
This book starts in the summer around 9:45 at heritage farm on a Tuesday. The conflict for this story is person vs. person because when Dan is on the at farming talking to the farmer *******spoiler alert******The farmer is really an escaped convict with nasty plans. On the other hand, The farmer knows nothing about farming and is angry about having to conduct the tour. Dan sneaks back to the school bus and discovers the driver and teacher have been bound and gagged By the farmer which is really his dad. As for this, Dan tells the police and they take him away and all the kids come home.
I rate this book 4 stars because it was good , at first i didn't know if i was going to really like this book but how ever it was good. I didn't like how the farmer kidnapped the substitute teacher in the middle. I recommend this book to anybody who like a good mysterious book because it was really good to me. “I'm going out,” I said.I loved the way that sounded. It was just like what the heroes say in war movies right before they hurl themselves out of the plane. Quote by Vicki Grant i love this author shes such an amazing
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March 30, 2022In Vicki Grant’s fiction story, titled Pigboy the main character goes through bullying and he actually handles it well but at the same time hates himself. This story does not take any dark turns really and stays positive, a book well-suited for children. The story is about the main character who basically saves his whole class and finally gets some respect and kindness he deserves.
The story actually takes place mostly on a farm where the class was supposed to go for a field trip but takes an awful turn. Dan Hogg is the main character and a student that is picked on a lot and when it comes to a trip to an animal farm, he already envisions the new insults the bullies would say to him. The story takes a turn when Dan strays from the crowd to go back to the bus to see his teacher and the bus driver completely knocked out. He then realizes that the man that has been guiding his class around the farm was a psycho and he only has a limited amount of time to call for help before it's too late. Shane Coolen is one of the bullies of Dan and the anger built up from all the bullying pushes Dan to become the best version of himself.
For a short and playful story, Vicki Grant was able to make the story interesting and a learning experience. The way she used metaphors and humor definitely added a different sense for the reader to feel more hooked on the book. The reader learns the message Vicki tries to send, which is to use hatred from people to fuel your success. Dan in the story has the short and sudden moment of character development to help his character seem more real. Even though it is a fiction book and it is really not likely for a psychotic man to kidnap a bus of children to a farm, it is an entertaining book for kids to really learn bravery and pride.
Vicki Grant creates a developing and maybe relatable main character and side characters to help the reader understand more about Dan and the backstory. From a reader to another reader, this book is great to show to your kids and/or your class as a fun little book to laugh at.
The story actually takes place mostly on a farm where the class was supposed to go for a field trip but takes an awful turn. Dan Hogg is the main character and a student that is picked on a lot and when it comes to a trip to an animal farm, he already envisions the new insults the bullies would say to him. The story takes a turn when Dan strays from the crowd to go back to the bus to see his teacher and the bus driver completely knocked out. He then realizes that the man that has been guiding his class around the farm was a psycho and he only has a limited amount of time to call for help before it's too late. Shane Coolen is one of the bullies of Dan and the anger built up from all the bullying pushes Dan to become the best version of himself.
For a short and playful story, Vicki Grant was able to make the story interesting and a learning experience. The way she used metaphors and humor definitely added a different sense for the reader to feel more hooked on the book. The reader learns the message Vicki tries to send, which is to use hatred from people to fuel your success. Dan in the story has the short and sudden moment of character development to help his character seem more real. Even though it is a fiction book and it is really not likely for a psychotic man to kidnap a bus of children to a farm, it is an entertaining book for kids to really learn bravery and pride.
Vicki Grant creates a developing and maybe relatable main character and side characters to help the reader understand more about Dan and the backstory. From a reader to another reader, this book is great to show to your kids and/or your class as a fun little book to laugh at.
April 12, 2018
Pigboy by Vicki grant is about Daniel Hogg getting bullied because of his name. The text says, that the bullies called him pigboy. Additionally, the text explains that he saved his class from a crazy pig farmer. Futhermore, the text explains that he was then treated like a hero and was no longer bullied. Overall, the main message of the story is don't judge people by their looks or names.
April 28, 2022
This book was not my thing. We read it in class for French class, and it was… something else. The jokes in it were not funny at least to an eighth grader and someone who enjoys reading good books. This book was very boring and not my thing. But then again it’s for the third grade,but it’s in the curriculum for the eighth grade. I highly do not advise you not to read it unless you have to.
January 6, 2017
I think the book was great! It had an amazing turn of events and shocking surprises.Not to mention great foreshadowing and things that lead up to events. I like this book because it is easy to understand and funny at the same time.
April 8, 2020
An exciting read aimed at junior high/ high school readers. The reading level and length of the book will be attractive to reluctant readers. The plot is fast-paced and interesting, if a bit far-fetched.
February 6, 2021
I found the character Dan Hoggs, aka Pigboy, to be so frustrating and a wimp in the initial stages but he really managed to overcome an emerge as a hero in this book. It started picking up when he found the substitute teacher unconscious in the school bus.
Easy to read in one sitting.
Easy to read in one sitting.
August 22, 2018
Great story for a low reader. Engaging with short sentence structure
October 12, 2021
This would be a good High Low book for a struggling middle school reader.
November 2, 2021
I don't think it was that good i wouldn't recommend.
October 20, 2022
This was a super fun (and quick) read aloud with my 5th graders!
November 21, 2023
Fast paced book about a field trip gone wrong.
December 11, 2023
Read with my students for our first novel study!! Very captivating, great comprehensive language, less inferencing necessary - great for youth with lower executive functioning
January 1, 2024
Cute, fast read. May be a book that reluctant readers would like.
March 31, 2024
My teacher read this in class with all of us
Why did he do it? Who knows but I'll never forget it
Why did he do it? Who knows but I'll never forget it
May 10, 2024
High-low. Good middle grade novel for reluctant readers.
August 26, 2024
It’s a book for children
September 20, 2024
Engaging Hi-Lo for teens. Plenty of suspense. One of the better ones I've read.
November 21, 2025
Justice for Dan
November 23, 2025
fun read
April 25, 2014
BLURB: Dan is not sure he'll survive the boring field trip to a remote heritage farm. How could a place with no running water, telephone or electricity be anything but dull? The farmer knows nothing about farming and is angry about having to conduct the tour. And what's with his tattoo? The teacher requests a private word with the farmer and then mysteriously disappears. After a messy attack of allergies, Dan is excused to find a tissue. He sneaks back to the school bus and discovers the driver and teacher have been bound and gagged. The farmer is really an escaped convict with nasty plans. Will Dan be able to find help in time?
RATING: 5 stars for Pigboy By: Vicki Grant
STARTED: APRIL 24,2014
FINISHED: APRIL 24,2014
REVIEW: Pigboy is great for anyone that enjoys suspense,humor, and action this book includes a wide variety of all three of them as it progresses. I enjoyed this book because it told the life saving story of Dan Hogg who saved all of his friends, and teachers from a criminal that just broke out of jail! I was on my feet the whole time waiting to see what would happen! I was hooked, and pulled in on this book as soon as I started reading it, and it is a very short book, but better that most I have read lately! I thought I would not like Pigboy as much by looking at the cover, and the title but when I read the synopsis I was like WOW, and I read it in one day! A very addicting short story book that you probably cannot put down!
RATING: 5 stars for Pigboy By: Vicki Grant
STARTED: APRIL 24,2014
FINISHED: APRIL 24,2014
REVIEW: Pigboy is great for anyone that enjoys suspense,humor, and action this book includes a wide variety of all three of them as it progresses. I enjoyed this book because it told the life saving story of Dan Hogg who saved all of his friends, and teachers from a criminal that just broke out of jail! I was on my feet the whole time waiting to see what would happen! I was hooked, and pulled in on this book as soon as I started reading it, and it is a very short book, but better that most I have read lately! I thought I would not like Pigboy as much by looking at the cover, and the title but when I read the synopsis I was like WOW, and I read it in one day! A very addicting short story book that you probably cannot put down!
November 11, 2012
Reviewed by Grandma Bev for TeensReadToo.com
Dan Hogg is the kid that everyone teases and insults....his name just begs for it, and besides that, he wears glasses and has weird hair. He really dreads the upcoming class field trip to a farm that raises pigs -- this should be an especially bad day for Dan, and the day does start out with the class bully making life miserable for him.
A career criminal has knocked the farm owner out, and locked him in a shed in order to rob him, but when the bus load of 8th-graders show up, it really messes up his plans. He's not quite sure what to do with them, but his boss says to get rid of them all.
At first the kids and the teacher believe the robber is the farmer that they have come to see, but gradually realize that he is not, and that they have much to fear. Dan is determined to outwit the crook and save his classmates from the sure death that the man is planning for them.
The story is narrated by Dan, the class nerd, himself. It's an exciting, funny adventure, with the tension building to a very satisfying finish. This award-winning author has a great sense of humor, and will have you laughing at Dan, and with him, as he outsmarts the bumbling robber and rescues his classmates in a short, quick read that will appeal to reluctant readers.
Dan Hogg is the kid that everyone teases and insults....his name just begs for it, and besides that, he wears glasses and has weird hair. He really dreads the upcoming class field trip to a farm that raises pigs -- this should be an especially bad day for Dan, and the day does start out with the class bully making life miserable for him.
A career criminal has knocked the farm owner out, and locked him in a shed in order to rob him, but when the bus load of 8th-graders show up, it really messes up his plans. He's not quite sure what to do with them, but his boss says to get rid of them all.
At first the kids and the teacher believe the robber is the farmer that they have come to see, but gradually realize that he is not, and that they have much to fear. Dan is determined to outwit the crook and save his classmates from the sure death that the man is planning for them.
The story is narrated by Dan, the class nerd, himself. It's an exciting, funny adventure, with the tension building to a very satisfying finish. This award-winning author has a great sense of humor, and will have you laughing at Dan, and with him, as he outsmarts the bumbling robber and rescues his classmates in a short, quick read that will appeal to reluctant readers.
February 9, 2017
The book is Pig Boy, written by Vicki Grant. There is a teacher (Ms. Creaser), a class of fourteen year old ranchers, and two bad guys. Then there is the main character Dan, he is tired of all the field trips, and he doesn’t want to be left alone with Shane.He is a troublemaker and gets into lots of trouble.
This is a book about a class that is going on field trips to different farms. They are at a ranch and all the corals are broken. The sheep farm fences were pretty good. There was a pig farm that was in the best shape.
They visited a pig farm, cattle farm, and a sheep farm. Something bad happens on one of the farms!
My connection is in the book there was a ranch. All the corals boards were broken. I saw a ranch like that before, the ranch was abandoned and the corals were rotting away and most of the boards were broken.
I would recommend this book to some kids that like farming and animals. If they like a mystery and some suspense this would be a good choice also. This is a good choice for a nonfiction book.
This is a book about a class that is going on field trips to different farms. They are at a ranch and all the corals are broken. The sheep farm fences were pretty good. There was a pig farm that was in the best shape.
They visited a pig farm, cattle farm, and a sheep farm. Something bad happens on one of the farms!
My connection is in the book there was a ranch. All the corals boards were broken. I saw a ranch like that before, the ranch was abandoned and the corals were rotting away and most of the boards were broken.
I would recommend this book to some kids that like farming and animals. If they like a mystery and some suspense this would be a good choice also. This is a good choice for a nonfiction book.
March 26, 2014
Dan is not sure he'll survive the boring field trip to a remote heritage farm. How could a place with no running water, telephone or electricity be anything but dull? The farmer knows nothing about farming and is angry about having to conduct the tour. And what's with his tattoo? The teacher requests a private word with the farmer and then mysteriously disappears. After a messy attack of allergies, Dan is excused to find a tissue. He sneaks back to the school bus and discovers the driver and teacher have been bound and gagged. The farmer is really an escaped convict with nasty plans. Will Dan be able to find help in time?
Oh my gosh, I was dumb enough to read this at around 10pm and that was a mistake. It was very creepy so i ended up reading the entire thing (all 114 pages of it) before going to bed. It was very suspenseful and showed how even the disliked nerd of a class can do big things too. It was a very good read and I would recommend it, just don't read it at night...
Oh my gosh, I was dumb enough to read this at around 10pm and that was a mistake. It was very creepy so i ended up reading the entire thing (all 114 pages of it) before going to bed. It was very suspenseful and showed how even the disliked nerd of a class can do big things too. It was a very good read and I would recommend it, just don't read it at night...
October 19, 2009
This book is about Dan Hogg being teased by everyone in his class. He had no friends and everyone thinks he's disgusting. One day it was a class trip and he was afraid he was going to throw up on the bus. But he thought the class wouldn;t be going on the trip because his teacher wasn't here so he didn't had to worry. But they had a substitute and arrived at a farm which is there class trip. Than this naughty guy came guy and trapped all the kids in a room, except for Dan Hogg because he was sneezing and the guy letted him to go into his house to get tissues. The teacher was in the bus tied up because the naughty guy beated her up while they stepped out. So Dan tried to save everyone but didn't work. But lastly he saved everyone and ended up the naughty guy in the farm was a robber.
July 20, 2014
Full of action and angst from an outsider as main character. A well written mystery-adventure that shows that a story's hero does not need to be the strongest, coolest or a genius.
I remember this title from a few years back when it was one of the ten books nominated for an OLA award. There was some controversy over the content and some schools chose not to offer this title due to its contents. Having read it, finally, I don't see what all the fuss was about. It presents, as a foundation to to the adventure, a look at overcoming labels and bullies without forcing a happily ever after ending.
I remember this title from a few years back when it was one of the ten books nominated for an OLA award. There was some controversy over the content and some schools chose not to offer this title due to its contents. Having read it, finally, I don't see what all the fuss was about. It presents, as a foundation to to the adventure, a look at overcoming labels and bullies without forcing a happily ever after ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews