Two contemporary high school students in New York explore loneliness, peer pressure, loss, and friendship. Paul Zindel’s books, The Pigman and The Pigman’s Legacy, do far more than encourage young adults to read for enjoyment. They offer opportunities to recognize and understand that although the path to adulthood is difficult, it need not always be a lonely or unhappy migration.

Students build vocabulary, study character development and point of view, examine inferences, research, and role-play. They also focus on loneliness as a major theme, write letters to an advice columnist, and use the events in the story to explore human relationships, particularly the skill of listening and the relationship between self-esteem and caring about others. 

Supplementary materials include a test with character identification, short answer, and essay questions. An answer key is provided.

Compassion, Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Truth