Pig-heart Boy: A gripping story with a huge ethical dilema at its heart (Collins Readers) - Hardcover

Blackman, Malorie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0003302164 ISBN 13: 9780003302165

Publisher: Collins Educational, 2000

Synopsis

Accept a transplant of a pig's heart, or die? That's what Cameron has to decide ...The story: Cameron is offered the chance to have a highly experimental and controversial operation which might save his life. But replacing his heart with one from a pig brings not only medical risk, it places Cameron at the eye of a storm of controversy. Medical ethics, the role of the press and the right to privacy are all brought into vivid focus in this gripping read. Themes: medical ethics; disability; the experience of growing up; animal rights; the individual and society; the media; death. Multicultural Suitable for KS 3/4 (P7-S4)

About this title

Review:

Malorie Blackman's brand of weighty, topical novels has proved immensely popular and won her several top book prizes, including the Smarties and Young Telegraph book awards (the latter twice). Her reputation as one of the best and most prolific children's authors writing today is founded on her intelligent handling of contemporary issues of interest and concern to children--Hacker, Thief! and A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E, her first three novels, dealt with time travel and computer hacking.

Pig-Heart Boy picks up another topical issue, that of xenografts or animal organ transplants. Cameron Kelsey has only a few months to live, and is no longer able to play sport, swim or live a normal life in any way. With no suitable human heart donor available, he agrees to try the revolutionary new process and is given a new heart, from a pig.

Through his tribulations he learns about the meaning of friendship, and how much he loves life and doesn't want to let go. This is a cracking read. Malorie Blackman has a particular skill of getting inside the mind of a thirteen year old. Highly recommended. (Ages 8 to 12)

Review:

'A very thoughtful provoking book for young readers, a difficult subject tackled very well.' Geoff Fox, Cascades Consultant

About this edition

• Publisher: Collins Educational
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0003302164
• ISBN 13: 9780003302165
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208