Upcoming Release Review: Saving Marty

***Upcoming Release!***

Saving Marty

by Paul Griffin

9780399539077

Age Range: 10-14

Release Date: September 19, 2017

Dial Books for Young Readers

In the wide array of animal stories, there is little I love more than one about a unique animal. We have our fair share of dog stories, wolf stories, and even cat stories, but with the notable exception of Wilbur, there aren’t many about pigs. Enter Marty. Paul Griffin’s own version of the dog story hit the scene last year with When Friendship Followed Me Home, a lovely tale about a boy and his dog. At the time, I was the Children’s Book Buyer for my store and this is how one of my most trusted reps pitched it to me: “It’s a story about a boy and his dog, where the dog doesn’t die!” It doesn’t take much to get me to read an animal book, but I do have to say I went into Friendship notably relaxed about the dog’s prospects. The beauty of this emotional and heartwarming story was how it wrenched you apart in other ways, waving this happy dog friend in front of you so you didn’t think to worry about anything else. It is an excellent book, and Griffin’s talent at pulling those heartstrings is put on display again in Saving Marty.

Lorenzo Ventura is an outsider. He has his best friend Paloma, his mother, and his grandfather. He undoubtedly needs all of them, but does anybody need him? The answer arrives in the shape of a runty piglet, accidentally left behind and welcomed into a litter of puppies. The tiny pig takes to Lorenzo instantly, as well as to the behaviors of the other puppies. Before Lorenzo knows it, months have gone by and he has a 350-pound pig who acts like a dog. Marty’s size causes more and more problems, until one day there’s an accident Lorenzo just can’t make excuses for, and it’s suddenly up to him to protect his friend.

The most powerful aspect I found about Lorenzo’s story is how he sees the hero in everyone but himself. His dad was a hero, a victim of war, and there’s so much about him Lorenzo wishes he knew. His mother is a hero, working tirelessly to support her family. His grandfather, Double Pop, is a hero, filling in the vacant father role and working to help his daughter keep things afloat. Even his best friend is a hero, bravely facing her dreams head on. But Lorenzo himself? Not until Marty comes along does he begin to think of himself as being needed by anybody, and it feels good. Marty’s devotion to Lorenzo is the character’s turning point, the path that leads him to realizing “hero” is quite a broad term. When all else is stripped away, love and supporting those you love is the backbone of Saving Marty.

Griffin brings Lorenzo, Pal, and Marty to life in a truly vivid and relatable way. Readers will be on the edge of their seats, reading furiously to discover how Marty will be saved. As with any tale about an animal companion, the question of Marty’s survival is a stressful one. If the loving pig’s survival is the key factor to whether you will read his story, I encourage you to send me an email or a message on Twitter to ask, as no one should miss the chance to read Lorenzo and Marty’s truly beautiful friendship. Saving Marty hit the shelves September 19th.