Saving Marty

Saving Marty
Paul Griffin
Dial/Penguin, 2017 195 pages
Grades 5-8
Animal Story/Realistic Fiction

Lorenzo is a farm kid, who is big for his age and loves animals and playing the guitar with his best friend Paloma. The guitar formerly belonged to his father, who is a deceased army hero, and Renzo is trying to learn more about him, even though he died before Renzo was born. When Mom sells off the new piglets, one accidentally gets left behind. He is adopted by the family dog, who also recently gave birth, and imprints on Renzo. The boy names him Marty after his late father and the two become inseparable. Marty thinks he's a dog and likes to cuddle and jump on his owner, which is cute when he is a piglet, but soon Marty grows to over three-hundred pounds and things spiral out of control. Mom says that they must sell Marty and Renzo starts scheming to keep his friend. Meanwhile, local thugs are out to get Marty after he beat their dog at a race and are making Renzo uncomfortable. He and Paloma join an open-mic event and Pal is offered a scholarship at a music camp. It is her dream, so leaves to pursue it and Renzo feels bereft. He digs into the mystery of learning more about his father, especially how exactly he died. As the saying goes "be careful what you wish for" and Renzo learns some painful truths about his hero. At first devastated, Renzo finally realizes that his father was a real person, warts and all, and instead of trying to be Dad, decides to become himself. Renzo discovers what may be a permanent solution for Marty, although it involves danger, all while realizing the wonderful person that he is meant to be.

Much as in last years When Friendship Followed me Home, Paul Griffin knows how to deliver a heartwarming animal story that is so much more. Yes, it's a story about a pig who thinks he is a dog and the boy must save him, but it's also a story about growing up, friendship, finding your true passion, having courage to do the right thing, standing up to bullies, and the plight of the disappearing farmer. That feels like a lot going on in 195 pages, but the story is never rushed or jumbled. Lorenzo tells his tale in the first person and Griffin manages to hold this character beautifully. Readers will feel Renzo’s pain and sympathize with his dilemma, even if they don't particularly care for pigs. All of the main characters are fully drawn with the exception of the bullies, yet Renzo never really gets to know them and he is telling the story, so it is forgiven that are stock characters. The rural Pennsylvania setting, outside of Pittsburgh, is also fully realized. Having just visited that area within the past month I can attest to the very rustic country in this area of Pennsylvania. Griffin does not shy away from violence and hard truths, making this a book more appropriate for older elementary children. Animal lovers are the obvious choice, but any reader who enjoys realistic fiction, especially problem novels which are currently hot, will enjoy this new book, released just this month.