Young Adult

Pig-Heart Boy

Pig-Heart Boy

  • Downloads：9498
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-11-07 06:53:12
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Malorie Blackman
  • ISBN：055255166X
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

You're thirteen。 All you want is a normal life。 But most normal kids don't need heart transplants。

So there's this doctor。 He says there's a chance for you。 But he also says it's experimental， controversial and risky。 And it's never been done before。

Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal， this is a powerful， thought-provoking story from the award-winning Malorie Blackman。

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Reviews

LB Taylor ，

Really thought-provoking that raises a lot of questions about how we treat people and animals。 Malorie Blackman's books are a real eye-opener。 What is living vs being alive; what is really important in life。 Hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did。 Really thought-provoking that raises a lot of questions about how we treat people and animals。 Malorie Blackman's books are a real eye-opener。 What is living vs being alive; what is really important in life。 Hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did。 。。。more

Voraciousreader ，

Blackman is one of my favourite authors。 I love how she can tackle complex social topics and present them in a way that is easy to digest/comprehend for almost anyone。 She does this well in the noughts and crosses series with the topic of 'reverse racism' but in my opinion， she does it best in this book。 The complex social topic that Blackman tackles in this book is the ethicality of animal transplants for humans。 I read this book about 10 years ago （when I was still a child） and never really un Blackman is one of my favourite authors。 I love how she can tackle complex social topics and present them in a way that is easy to digest/comprehend for almost anyone。 She does this well in the noughts and crosses series with the topic of 'reverse racism' but in my opinion， she does it best in this book。 The complex social topic that Blackman tackles in this book is the ethicality of animal transplants for humans。 I read this book about 10 years ago （when I was still a child） and never really understood the intricacies of transplants。 The title of the book instantly perked my interest， as I tried to connect the commonalities between 'pigs' and 'boys' which lead me to the conclusion that they were both living 'things' with a heart。 The initial 'things' aspect that I had thought of， wasn't so far from what the book was about as the main character Cameron， is no longer treated as a child with a heart condition post his transplant。 Instead， he is deprived of privacy， harassed by the media and abused by someone who believes his transplant decision is wrong。 The journey that Blackman takes us on highlights the theme of forced adaptability and forces the reader to critically understand animals role in medical advancement。 It's an easy read with a profound message。 I recommend it to everyone。 。。。more

Donna Burkert ，

Life or death is an easy choice。 Life， or life with a heart of a pig， is another。 It seems simple to Cameron。 He wants to live his life rather than watch from the sidelines as he has had to do。 He wants to swim and run and dive to the bottom of the swimming pool， just like all his friends do。 Yes， he knows there are risks but he is prepared to take them to live again。 But he isn’t prepared for the public interest of the first person to successfully have a heart transplant from a pig。 People chan Life or death is an easy choice。 Life， or life with a heart of a pig， is another。 It seems simple to Cameron。 He wants to live his life rather than watch from the sidelines as he has had to do。 He wants to swim and run and dive to the bottom of the swimming pool， just like all his friends do。 Yes， he knows there are risks but he is prepared to take them to live again。 But he isn’t prepared for the public interest of the first person to successfully have a heart transplant from a pig。 People change， things get nasty and a complete stranger attacks him in the street。 But all this is worth it if he has a working heart。。。only it isn’t， it’s starting to fail again and Cameron has to make the decision to try again and put his family at more risk or accept his fate will be death。 The imminent birth of his new baby brother or sister prompts a video diary in the event of his not being here on their birth。 Ultimately only Cameron can make the decision and it isn’t as easy as life or death。 。。。more

Undomiel Books （Rosie） ，

I really enjoyed this book so much， and think it would be a fantastic one to open discussion in classrooms with my future pupils！It's a simple book， but I mean this in a good way。 It doesn't try to do a thousand things， but rather it does one thing very sensitively and in a mature， well written way， that is also very digestible for the younger target audience。 I really enjoyed this book so much， and think it would be a fantastic one to open discussion in classrooms with my future pupils！It's a simple book， but I mean this in a good way。 It doesn't try to do a thousand things， but rather it does one thing very sensitively and in a mature， well written way， that is also very digestible for the younger target audience。 。。。more

Kristal ，

Somewhere between 4。0-4。5 starsThoroughly enjoyed this story about a teenage boy who needs a heart transplant and the complicated position that puts him in。 Ontop of everything else he has to deal with （parents fighting， decisions about his health and facing his mortality） he has to face radical， violent activists and the moral convictions that go with using animal parts to save humans。 This is a solid read that gets you thinking。 It’s smack dab between middle grade and young adult， depending on Somewhere between 4。0-4。5 starsThoroughly enjoyed this story about a teenage boy who needs a heart transplant and the complicated position that puts him in。 Ontop of everything else he has to deal with （parents fighting， decisions about his health and facing his mortality） he has to face radical， violent activists and the moral convictions that go with using animal parts to save humans。 This is a solid read that gets you thinking。 It’s smack dab between middle grade and young adult， depending on the maturity and literacy of the adolescent。 。。。more

Simon ，

A good friend and colleague recommended that I read this book。 Partly as a class reader discussion and partly because she really enjoyed it。A young lad needs a heart replacement。 There is a lack of human hearts available。 As the title suggests they have to opt for a pig heart in a new procedure to market。This is the story of the heartwarming and emotional journey…This is a great read and one that I would certainly do in class as well。 Very thought provoking with a number of huge issues that coul A good friend and colleague recommended that I read this book。 Partly as a class reader discussion and partly because she really enjoyed it。A young lad needs a heart replacement。 There is a lack of human hearts available。 As the title suggests they have to opt for a pig heart in a new procedure to market。This is the story of the heartwarming and emotional journey…This is a great read and one that I would certainly do in class as well。 Very thought provoking with a number of huge issues that could be discussed。I would definitely recommend。 。。。more

Eleanor ，

it was good， that’s about it nothing that really sticks to you but i guess it is a kids book

Catherine ，

Such a heart warming story from the start to the end。 Highly recommend this book to absolutely anyone。 It was extremely hard to put down considering I finished it over 3 sittings over a period of 5 hours。

Kristina Briar ，

Malorie Blackman is a great author but her writing just isn't my taste this was another book I read in high school but I just couldn't stomach it （i was forced to read this lmao） I haven't read this in a while but it was rather strange？？？。My medical phobia also didn't want to read this so I ended up spending every page anxious about what was going to happen next I didn't want to read a book about a boy getting a heart transplant from a pig。 （I wonder where Malorie got the idea of a boy getting a Malorie Blackman is a great author but her writing just isn't my taste this was another book I read in high school but I just couldn't stomach it （i was forced to read this lmao） I haven't read this in a while but it was rather strange？？？。My medical phobia also didn't want to read this so I ended up spending every page anxious about what was going to happen next I didn't want to read a book about a boy getting a heart transplant from a pig。 （I wonder where Malorie got the idea of a boy getting a heart from a pig？？？） the writing overall was descent not my cup of tea the main character was irritating and I remember the parents were strange I didn't feel anything but revulsion while reading this book， not for me！ 。。。more

Samadhi Jayawardena ，

um。。 after reading this I learned to appreciate my strong wonderful heart。😰

ki #2 ，

as a child reading this， the idea of a pig heart terrified the life out of me and i couldn’t look at pigs the same ever again -_-

Oyinda ，

Book 194 of 2021This was a really enjoyable read and I had some existential questions while I read。The protagonists in this book are faced with very tough decisions and reading about how they faced it all was fun。Full review to come。

Siobhan ，

Wow！ This was an amazing book！ It may be aimed at children but I think everyone should read it！ It’s more interesting reading this as an adult and after coronavirus and while the vegan life style and animal rights are becoming more apart of daily conversations！

Leona Jasmin ，

I've been meaning to read this book for ages and it really exceeded expectations。 The science-y parts of the book were explained at a level understandable for the character's age and the reader， most behaviour is justified and this book remains wholly relevant with the increasing prevalence of organ transplants and animal ethicism。 The book is highly readable and can be read quite quickly， and has a nice balance of reality and philosophy。 A quick， thought-provoking read which managed to blend a I've been meaning to read this book for ages and it really exceeded expectations。 The science-y parts of the book were explained at a level understandable for the character's age and the reader， most behaviour is justified and this book remains wholly relevant with the increasing prevalence of organ transplants and animal ethicism。 The book is highly readable and can be read quite quickly， and has a nice balance of reality and philosophy。 A quick， thought-provoking read which managed to blend a complex topic with a younger age demographic well， with the humorous aspects of this book being appropriate and amusing。 。。。more

Akshat ，

good storyshould have been longer but it is what it isstill liked it tho

Kathryn ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 One of the best class reads I've ever done。 Quietest time of the day！☺️P。s。 Nan dying was a BRUTAL twist One of the best class reads I've ever done。 Quietest time of the day！☺️P。s。 Nan dying was a BRUTAL twist 。。。more

Siana ，

I loved the noughts and crosses series and thought I should read more books by Blackman。 Didn't dissapoint at all。 Such a great story about this boy with a fatal heart condition。 I loved the videos he made to Alex， it was so cute。 Definitely 100% recommend to anyone who liked noughts and crosses I loved the noughts and crosses series and thought I should read more books by Blackman。 Didn't dissapoint at all。 Such a great story about this boy with a fatal heart condition。 I loved the videos he made to Alex， it was so cute。 Definitely 100% recommend to anyone who liked noughts and crosses 。。。more

Katie Anne Stark ，

I was plagued with reading this in my English class a while ago， and good grief was it a slog to get through。 I don’t actually remember much of the plot （as this was read 2ish years ago）， but I do remember how much I resented this book at the time for how boring it was。 The premise was a brilliant idea， but I don’t think the execution was quite there。

Lynn Eckert ，

It has a pretty good writing style， but I didn’t enjoy the messages that are included， and that he most of the times didn’t follow his believings。 I would say its a book for younger teenagers and maybe I am too old to enjoy it that much。

Clare Marie ，

I love Malorie Blackman as an author， but I didn't enjoy this story。 I'm not sure whether it was because of the storyline or how the characters reacted to the situation。 It definitely had a lot of dilemmas and issues， that would encourage discussion amongst children。 I'd recommend it for children aged 10 or over。 I love Malorie Blackman as an author， but I didn't enjoy this story。 I'm not sure whether it was because of the storyline or how the characters reacted to the situation。 It definitely had a lot of dilemmas and issues， that would encourage discussion amongst children。 I'd recommend it for children aged 10 or over。 。。。more

Reuben :） ，

It ticks all boxes in terms of grasping the reader's emotion as well as attention。 It is heart shattering and heart expanding， a true thriller in my mind， and it is a must read。 Malorie Blackman is great。 However， this book covers sensitive themes such as organ transplant， which some may find upsetting/ distressing， so it might not be the best book for everyone。 It ticks all boxes in terms of grasping the reader's emotion as well as attention。 It is heart shattering and heart expanding， a true thriller in my mind， and it is a must read。 Malorie Blackman is great。 However， this book covers sensitive themes such as organ transplant， which some may find upsetting/ distressing， so it might not be the best book for everyone。 。。。more

Oliver ，

I enjoyed this book a little bit at the start but towards the end it got incredibly emotional

Jade ，

Really good book and also very interesting！ Would recommend！

Dana Lovell ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 This book is about a boy called， Cameron and the choice he has to make。 Cameron can either have a heart transplant or die from the disease that has damaged his heart。。。 the twist is the heart comes from a pig。 The story follows Cameron after he chooses the transplant and the effect it has on him and his family in their everyday lives。 This book is a real page turner。This book could be used in the classroom， in science and PSHE as many anti bullying and lessons about the heart could be created wi This book is about a boy called， Cameron and the choice he has to make。 Cameron can either have a heart transplant or die from the disease that has damaged his heart。。。 the twist is the heart comes from a pig。 The story follows Cameron after he chooses the transplant and the effect it has on him and his family in their everyday lives。 This book is a real page turner。This book could be used in the classroom， in science and PSHE as many anti bullying and lessons about the heart could be created with this book in mind。 。。。more

Carys ，

I enjoyed the first few Chapters。。。 But towards the end it got quite sad。。。

Maz ，

Heart-wrenching book。

Jae ，

A thought-provoking story about a 13 year old boy who needs a heart transplant。 Written with skill and sensitivity。

Katie Hebdon ，

I， like the children in my class， have been gripped by the story。 A definite ‘page turner’。 I delivered a copy for every pupil in my class and it has been our way of feeling ‘together’ as we have read a chapter a day together during our online zooms！ At the end of each day the children have begged to read the next chapter。We have loved getting to know Cameron and the continual back and forth of many arguments， we’ve discussed the ethics of transgenics， the role of the media and the positive/nega I， like the children in my class， have been gripped by the story。 A definite ‘page turner’。 I delivered a copy for every pupil in my class and it has been our way of feeling ‘together’ as we have read a chapter a day together during our online zooms！ At the end of each day the children have begged to read the next chapter。We have loved getting to know Cameron and the continual back and forth of many arguments， we’ve discussed the ethics of transgenics， the role of the media and the positive/negative impacts。 A wonderful story。 。。。more

Lily Pad ，

the book is really good！ highly recommend it。

Angie ，

This is the story of a teenage boy who needs a heart transplant， he is offered the option of a pig heart and takes it。 Written from his point of view this book deals with a controversial subject with sensitivity and emotion。 There is a sad part involving his nan as a warning for others。 Suitable for ages 11 and over。 An excellent read。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Pig-Heart Boy

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Pig-Heart Boy&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Pig-Heart Boy&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0