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Includes the name: ChrisKurtz

Works by Chris Kurtz

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Flora is born a pig and destined for many pig things. Her siblings are pigs, she lives in a pig pen, and her mother is a pig. They all have simple pig dreams of food, or at least they all do except for Flora.

Flora wants to do more, see more, and become more than simply a pig. She enjoys talks with dogs, who inform her of their jobs, enjoys chats with cats who tell her nine lives are just a state of mind. Flora, however, can't seem to get out, until one day people come for her. . .

There was some darker areas of this book, animals killed, the mention of how ice and cold effects the body(freezing to death, drowning in it, etc), and some other darker angles, but it was easy to gloss over if you don't think about how the protagonist is basically walking bacon to everyone around her.

This was a tale that made me think of Gordy or Babe. We have a pig who is seen as food or dismissed by humans grow to become more than just a pig and do more than pig things. If you like either of the before mentioned works, you'll enjoy South Pole Pig.

I'd have included Charlotte's Web as it's obviously the most pig book people think about, but Wilbur was a whiny pig at the end of the day. For all Charlotte's Web brought us, it never brought me enjoying a pig's story, and this too, is to be said for Babe in many ways. I could not handle either pig being bullying, pushy, demanding, or expecting things given to them. Taking a page from someone else's review here, I will admit Flora comes out on top to any other pig in written material I've seen as she's genuinely a good character. She doesn't push and shove, she doesn't run in blind. She questions, she asks, she learns. She has a dream but also has friends.

Flora has heart, and doesn't give up, like a true pig.
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Flagged
Yolken | 6 other reviews | Aug 5, 2022 |
This is a story of a pig who is tricked into getting on a boat and who is forced to fight rats to the death. Also, people keep threatening to eat her. Eventually, she almost drowns and is forced to hide in a snow covered pit.

Lots of fun for kids!
 
Flagged
Joe901 | 6 other reviews | Nov 2, 2021 |
Reminiscent of Charlottes Web, it's hard not to enjoy this tale of a determined pig. Flora longs for adventure, and adventure finds her. Along the way she finds the true meaning of friendship, teamwork, and gratitude. Adorable and sweet.
 
Flagged
Dmtcer | 6 other reviews | May 4, 2016 |
Recommended Ages: Gr. 3-5

Plot Summary:

Setting: Flora is bored of her small pen she shares with her mother and brothers. She wants adventure. She digs holes, makes up games to play with her brothers, and befriends a cat named Luna. Flora is jealous of Luna's independence and ability to do what she wants. One day, Flora manages to escape her pen and runs through the corn fields. She gloriously watches the sled dogs practice and tries to keep up, impressing the farmer. Eventually, she is caught and put back in the pen to her dismay. When a man separates Flora's mother from her piglets, they realize trouble is coming. A man tries to pick up a piglet but they work together to avoid getting caught. Hoping for adventure, Flora gives herself to the man and she ends up in a truck with Oscar in another cage. She tries to make friends with him by complimenting his skill and hard work. At the shipyard, she befriends another cat Sophia who ends up being forced upon the ship to help kill rats. On board, Flora is saddened and confused as to why she is not with the dogs because she thinks she was chosen to pull the sled. Stuck in the lowest level with the rats, she perseveres and tells herself she will keep practicing and get stronger. So she pulls the crate she is chained to and gets stronger and stronger. Scared of the rats and barely getting a chance to eat her food before they swarm her, Flora is thrilled to see Sophia. However, Sophia highly exaggerated her hunting skills and was forced out of the kitchen to the lowest level because of her poor abilities. Aleric was punished to the lowest level of the ship and must kill rats. He doesn't know how he's going to do it, but he sees the way Flora and Sophia work together and starts to get credit for their kills. The captain comes down to see them all at work and is very impressed by Flora. On the captain's attempt to head back up to watch for icebergs, the ship crashes into one and water quickly flows into the lowest level. Flora drags the captain to the top of the stairs while swimming and men are able to grab him. They make it onto a rescue boat and land on Antarctic ice. Saddened by the loss of so many dogs and men, the few remaining make a plan. Struggling for food, Oscar and Sophia bring Flora to a secret location to hide so she is not eaten. Most of the men leave on a rescue mission, but Oscar and the Captain are left behind as they are both not well. Aleric insists he should build a sled and go on the few day trip to the place where there is more food, but the Captain doesn't allow it. Will they survive?

Characters:
Flora - pig, has 7 brothers
Alfred - Flora's smallest brother
Sam - Flora's brother
Tommy - Flora's brother
Luna - cat
Oscar - lead dog
Sophia - cat
Amos - chef on board
Aleric - cabin boy who got caught stealing and was forced to kill rats

Recurring Themes: survival, adventure, friendship, perseverance, practice, Antarctic

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: This book totally surprised me. I really liked it! It had the right amount of character development and action. The characters were strong and funny. I knew the pig would survive the journey but I was impressed and surprised with the way she managed to survive. The author surprised me; minor things were predictable (the pig would eventually pull the sled) but the way the author got the characters to that point was exciting and unpredictable. It will be interested in book talk this book without giving away too much because the most exciting conflicts are on Antarctica, but that's the last third of the book.

Genre: fantasy - talking animals

Pacing: fast
Characters: very good character development
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity:

Readalike: Kate DiCamillo
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Flagged
pigeonlover | 6 other reviews | Aug 12, 2015 |

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