Pigture Perfect: A Wish Novel

by Jenny Goebel

From Alpaca My Bags author Jenny Goebel comes another heartwarming tale of friendship, loyalty, and finding your voice. Twelve-year-old Grace is desperate for a puppy. All she wants is someone to love -- and to love her back. Someone who won't disappear on her like her dad did. Someone who'll make her new stepfather's house feel like home. Christmas morning, Grace springs out of bed hopeful that her dreams are about to come true. But the present that awaits her isn't soft and furry. It doesn't have padded paws. And instead of a dark, wet nose, there's a flat, pink nose instead. It's not a puppy at all -- it's a PIG. Grace tries to make the best of the situation. She names the pig Bernard and dutifully learns how to care for him. But spending time with him is nothing like being with a dog. Bernard is awful at playing fetch and walking on a leash -- in fact, he's all around terrible at doing the things Grace dreamed of doing with a pet. But when a good friend lands in the hospital, Grace discovers that Bernard might have a special talent for making sick people feel better and that his calling might be as a certified therapy animal. Grace loves the idea of visiting patients with Bernard and bringing a smile to their faces during an otherwise tough time. But can Grace convince her skeptical family to get on board? Or will she and Bernard both end up out in the cold?

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2021

About the author

Jenny Goebel is the author of GRAVE IMAGES, a forthcoming middle grade novel from Scholastic (Nov 1,2013).

She lives just outside of Denver, and if she's not hiking up a mountain or mothering, or doing both simultaneously, she's probably sitting at her computer writing.

Reviews

[maven calore’s venice b!tch]

been in a reading slump this book took forever for me to read and it’s so short too 😭

[Hamburger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great! The main character (Girl) kinda likes this boy, but overall it was great!

[Ille · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Pigture Perfect' by Jenny Geobel is a very good book in Scholastic's A Wish Novel series.
In this book, the 12-year-old main character Grace wants a pet Dog for Christmas and ends up receiving a Pig instead.
A very interesting - and funny! - story that I highly recommend to anyone in the target age group (4th to 6th grade) or anyone of any age who likes reading animal stories.

I really like that this book teaches the value that some things we think of as 'bad' can end up being good.

[Gabbyluvsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite wish book. The chapters with Liam and Francis were quite boring, as I quickly sped through them. Also, I strongly dislike how they get a pig, and have HAM in their fridge. They eat bacon on their pizza in the same chapter. Personally, the book would be better if Grace was a animal rights activist or at least a vegan and/or vegetarian.

[Ashley Dearmyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

“And we were still very different people, but that was okay. And maybe that’s what was needed for us to truly be friends all along—just being okay with our differences.” - Jenny Goebel

“…about the difference between lying and pretending. And I decided that for something to be a lie, you had to know what you were saying or doing was wrong and choose to do it anyway.” - Jenny Goebel

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my girls over a few weeks as a bedtime story. They are elementary school aged girls and they totally get the drama. I sincerely wanted to know what was going to happen in the story and there was a chapter near the end that made me laugh out loud several times. This is a fun read for middle school/elementary school kids.

[Mary Duda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this on the recommendation of my 6th grader. "Mom! It's SO GOOD!" He's right. Cute story about a middle school girl with a lot going on -- mom remarried, stepsister moving in, new pig, new friends. She learns some things about being true to herself.

[SSM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. There is a little of middle school romance (All though it’s just a teeny bit it wasn’t needed.) Other than that though it was an okay book, just an easy read. Even though it was below my reading level, it was pretty funny.

[Ashley McGillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a light read. I loved every minute of it! The bond between human and pig is so strong and it was shown so well in the book.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute book about finding yourself and figuring out what true friendship is, with the help of a pig.

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute book! I’m glad she learned to like the pig! It also had an important lesson that some friendships aren’t worth saving.

[Mia Iraci · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE BEST OF BEST FOR ANY AGES. This was a very honest book showing emotions actually people have and sad moments but showing anything is possible and love for family. Love love love.