For young readers grappling with loneliness and bullying, this story explores finding friendship, dealing with betrayal, and using art as an emotional outlet.
This book is for the child who feels like an outsider, burdened by responsibilities they feel no one else understands. It speaks directly to the painful experiences of being bullied, making a new friend, and navigating the devastating fallout of a misunderstanding. Based on the Oscar-nominated short film, this stunning graphic novel tells the story of Pig, a lonely boy tasked with protecting his town from a toxic fog. His isolated life changes when he befriends the artistic and popular Fox, but a perceived betrayal leads him to make a dangerous choice. The story powerfully explores complex feelings of anger, loyalty, and forgiveness, making it a great choice for older elementary and middle school readers ready to discuss the nuances of friendship and emotional resilience. The painterly art style beautifully captures the story's moody, emotionally resonant tone.
The protagonist makes a dangerous choice out of anger, deliberately putting his community at risk.
Sad Content
Moderate
Deals with intense loneliness, social ostracism, and feelings of betrayal.
Scary ContentModerate
A menacing, toxic fog threatens to envelop and destroy the town, causing panic.
ViolenceMild
A character is bullied, including being physically dragged into a restroom and harassed.
Sensitive Topics
Bullying is a central theme, depicted directly with scenes of harassment and social ostracism. The approach is not sanitized; the emotional pain is palpable. The fog serves as a powerful, secular metaphor for overwhelming threats, be they environmental, social, or internal like depression. The resolution is hopeful in that Pig acts heroically, but it's also realistic, acknowledging that actions born from pain can have real consequences (damage to the windmill) and that reconciliation is a process.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for a sensitive, introspective reader aged 9 to 13 who feels different or misunderstood. It will resonate strongly with a child who has experienced bullying, the intensity of a first best friendship, or the sting of a major misunderstanding. It is also an excellent choice for a young artist who understands the power of creative expression.
Parent Prep
Parents should preview the bullying scene (where Pig is dragged into a restroom) and the climactic sequence where Pig deliberately endangers the town. These moments can be intense. The story offers a great opportunity to talk about how deep hurt can make us want to hurt others back, and the importance of looking for the full story before reacting. No special context is needed to read it cold, but a post-reading conversation is highly recommended. A parent might reach for this after their child has a significant falling out with a friend, especially if it involves miscommunication. It's also a good choice if a child is being bullied and feels like no one is on their side, or if they are feeling crushed by expectations or responsibilities.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will connect with the clear injustice of the bullying and the joy of finding a friend. They will see Pig's final act as purely heroic. An older reader (11-14) will appreciate the psychological depth: the moral ambiguity of Pig's choice, the complexity of Fox's character, and the rich symbolism of the ever-present fog. They will understand the ending not just as a victory, but as a moment of profound growth.
What Makes It Special
Its breathtaking, painterly art style sets it apart from almost any other graphic novel for this age group, creating a deeply atmospheric and cinematic experience. Unlike many books on bullying that offer simple solutions, this story delves into the harrowing emotional consequences of social pain and explores the complicated, messy reality of friendship and forgiveness. Its comparison by critics to darker, more adult works like "Carrie" speaks to its emotional gravity and complexity.
Read plot summary
Pig is a young, isolated boy responsible for operating a massive windmill that keeps a toxic fog from engulfing his town. Despite his crucial role, he is ostracized and bullied at school. He finds a kindred spirit in a new student, Fox, who is also an artist. Fox teaches Pig to channel his difficult emotions into drawing. Their friendship is shattered when Pig sees what he believes is a cruel caricature of himself drawn by Fox. In his grief and anger, Pig abandons his post, allowing the fog to roll in and threaten the town. He soon discovers the drawing was a misunderstanding: it was a portrait of them as friends. Pig rushes back to save the town, reaffirming his responsibility despite his pain.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
When Pig saw the drawing, he only saw part of it and ran away. Have you ever jumped to a conclusion about a friend's actions and later found out you were wrong? What happened?
2
Pig was so hurt that he decided to stop the windmill, even though he knew it would put everyone in danger. Why do you think his feelings were powerful enough to make him do that? What are other ways he could have handled his anger and sadness?
3
Fox uses her sketchbook to make fun of people but also to connect with Pig and help him express himself. Can art be used in both hurtful and healing ways? How do you decide which is which?
4
Nobody in town helps Pig or even thanks him for his important job. Why do you think he chooses to save them in the end? What does this story say about doing the right thing, even when it's hard and unappreciated?
