The Adventures of a South Pole Pig: A novel of snow and courage

Product Description Flora the pig was born for adventure: “If it’s unexplored and needs to get dug up, call me. I’m your pig,” she says. The day Flora spots a team of sled dogs is the day she sets her heart on becoming a sled pig. Before she knows it, she’s on board a ship to Antarctica for the most exhilarating—and dangerous—adventure of her life. This poignant novel of a purposeful pig is sure to become a favorite with any young readers who have ever dreamed of exploring the great beyond. Review "It will greatly satisfy fans of Dick King-Smith and E.B. White looking for something similar . . . Engaging fantasy adventure for preteen pig pals." — Kirkus "An upbeat and lively story." — Publishers Weekly"There's humor as well as heart, grit as well as tenderness in the telling of this Antarctic adventure tale." — Booklist"Loyalty, courage, and optimism are important ideas, and newcomer Kurtz brings us a rollicking story filled with all three." —Horn Book, starred review"Told in the voice of a seasoned storyteller, this novel has chapters that will work perfectly for sharing aloud with younger children or as a read-alone for more competent readers. . . . Move over Wilbur and Babe, there's a new pig in town." —School Library Journal, starred review About the Author Chris Kurtz is a talented teacher, storyteller, and writer. In addition to The Adentures of a South Pole Pig, he wrote the middle-grade novel  The Pup Who Cried Wolf and has co-written picture books with his sister Jane Kurtz. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his family. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter 1 Mama, why do we have to live in a cage?” Flora dug in the dirt at something hard and rusty. “Honey, don’t do that.” Her mother nosed heraway. “And it’s not a cage. It’s a pigpen.” “Same thing,” said Flora under her breath.   How unlucky she was—born with adventurous hooves that were stuck inside a pen. But she wasn’t giving up. If there was a way out, Flora said to her- self, she would find it.   She had already packed down trails to each corner of the pen. She had poked her wet snout through every wooden slat to smell the other side. And she had dug holes all along the pen’s perimeter. Usually the only thing hiding under the surface was more dirt—until today. Maybe this hard and rusty something would bring a change in routine.   As soon as her mother turned, Flora went back to digging. She scratched away busily until the thing popped out of the ground.   “I knew it.” Flora gave a little squeal of joy. Now she had to see what it could do.   “Flora!” shouted her mother. Flora took a step back.   Her mother trotted over, and close on her heels were three brothers. Flora had seven, so there was always at least one around to watch her get into trouble.   “Rusty pieces of metal are very dangerous. Why do you insist on unearthing things better left alone?” said her mother.   Flora stamped the ground. “If it’s unexplored then it needs to get dug up.”   “I see,” said Mother. “Well if it is sharp and rusty, then it needs to stay unexplored and underground.” Her mother used her snout to nudge and scoot the nail over to the wooden fence, where there was a space between the ground and the lowest board.   “Mama, wait! I’m not done with that thingy yet.” Flora shoved herself between her mother’s legs.   Her mother pushed her back. “You most certainly are done with this thingy, little one.” With a firm kick, she spun the nail under the board and out of sight.   Flora screwed up her face, not sure if she should stomp or flop on the ground. But before she could choose, her mother lay down with her back against the fence. “Breakfast time!” she called.   A thrill ran through Flora. She was hungry. So were her brothers.   Flora dove for a good spot, only to find herself bumped and turned aside.   “There’s enough for everyone,” Mother said. Nobody  listened.   But Flora, the firstborn of the litter, ha