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  • Published: 2 May 2011
  • ISBN: 9781742744261
  • Imprint: Random House Australia
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 336

Pig Boy




An unmissable novel from the award-winning author of The Story of Tom Brennan.

An unmissable novel from the award-winning author of The Story of Tom Brennan.

On Damon Styles's eighteenth birthday, he is expelled from school. But it's what happens afterwards that changes everything.

Now Damon must come up with a plan. It's the only way he can think straight. First, get his firearms licence. Then, see if the Pigman will give him a job - pig hunting will teach Damon what he needs to know. And he'd better get a lock for his wardrobe so his mother won't find what he's hiding.

Damon's taking matters into his own hands - but so is the town of Strathven.

A confronting, powerful story for young adults in the vein of J.C. Burke's CBCA award-winner The Story of Tom Brennan.

  • Published: 2 May 2011
  • ISBN: 9781742744261
  • Imprint: Random House Australia
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 336

About the author

J.C. Burke

J.C. Burke was born in Sydney in 1965, the fourth of five sisters. With writers for parents, she grew up in a world of noise, drama and books, but she decided to become a nurse after her mother lost a long battle with cancer. Since Burke started writing in 1999, she has published a number of acclaimed books for teenagers and young adults, including Children's Book Council Notable Books White Lies and The Red Cardigan, Aurealis Awards finalist Nine Letters Long, The Story of Tom Brennan, Faking Sweet, Starfish Sisters, Ocean Pearl, Pig Boy and Pretty Girl. The Story of Tom Brennan won the 2006 CBC Book of the Year - Older Readers and the 2006 Australian Family Therapists Award for Children's Literature and it is currently on the NSW HSC syllabus list. Pig Boy won the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction in 2012. Jane lives in Sydney with her family.

Also by J.C. Burke

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Praise for Pig Boy

J.C Burke's impressive track record continues with her new book. It may attract some controversy but it also raises awareness of the issues of bullying and boys ... Burke doesn't hold back with Damon's narrative. It's hard-hitting, shocking and brutally honest ... Burke captures the emotions of a victim being pushed to the edge and lets the readers make up their own mind about him. You won't be forgetting Damon in a while ... PIG BOY is an intelligent novel that pushes you out of your comfort zone. A riveting book that's hard to put down. Highly recommended for ages 15 and up.

Oliver Phommavanh, Buzz Words Books

I haven't been this impressed with a main character in quite some time ... But it's not just Damon who shines in PIG BOY . . . JC Burke has created an absolutely unforgettable cast of characters in PIG BOY, and I have no doubt that this confronting book will appeal to everyone who has ever felt like the world is against them.

Holly Harper, Children's Book Specialist, www.readings.com.au

There were moments reading PIG BOY that I could barely breathe, such was the tension. There were moments when I was put in mind of Robert Cormier, as the reading journey grew darker. There was never a moment when I wanted to put down this taut story about small town perceptions and prejudices ... JC Burke is at her best writing challenging, thought-provoking novels for older readers.

slightlyaddictedtofiction.blogspot.com

Burke transforms what looks like a bullied in school story to a tension stayed thriller that asks bigger questions about the nature of violence and revenge.

Ernie Tucker, Choices for English: Books, Films and Other Texts That Work

Shortlsted for Best Fiction 2012

Ned Kelly Awards

Longlisted for the Golden Inky 2011

Inky Awards

Awards & recognition

Ned Kelly Awards

Winner  •  2011  •  Best Crime Fiction

Inky Awards

Longlisted  •  2011  •  Gold Inky Award for an Australian Book