A Part of the Sky

A Day No Pigs Would Die #2

by Robert Newton Peck, Unknown Author

In celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the publication of Robert Newton Peck's bestselling classic, A Day No Pigs Would Die, here is the eagerly anticipated sequel. This must for schools, libraries, and summer reading lists is now available for the first time in paperback. Times are difficult during the Great Depression, and thirteen-year-old Rob Peck must struggle to keep his family together after the death of his father. Disaster after disaster strikes and the family is forced to sell their farm. Relying solely on their strong Shaker faith and close family ties, the Pecks finally prevail and young Rob learns that true wealth extends beyond money and that real values are priceless.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Family, Literature, Coming Of Age

Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Robert Newton Peck is an American author of books for young adults. His titles include Soup and A Day No Pigs Would Die. He claims to have been born on February 17, 1928, in Vermont, but has refused to specify where. Similarly, he claims to have graduated from a high school in Texas, which he has also refused to identify. Some sources state that he was born in Nashville, Tennessee (supposedly where his mother was born, though other sources indicate she was born in Ticonderoga, New York, and that Peck, himself, may have been born there). The only reasonably certain Vermont connection is that his father was born in Cornwall.

Peck has written over sixty books including a great book explaining his childhood to becoming a teenager working on the farm called: A Day no Pigs would Die

He was a smart student, although his schooling was cut short by World War II. During and shortly after the conflict, he served as a machine-gunner in the U.S. Army 88th Infantry Division. Upon returning to the United States, he entered Rollins College, graduating in 1953. He then entered Cornell Law School, but never finished his course of study.

Newton married Dorothy Anne Houston and fathered two children, Anne and Christopher. The best man at the wedding and the godfather to the children was Fred Rogers of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood fame.

A Day No Pigs Would Die was his first novel, published in 1972 when he was already 44 years old. From then on he continued his lifelong journey through literature. To date, he has been credited for writing 55 fiction books, 6 nonfiction books, 35 songs, 3 television specials and over a hundred poems.

Several of his historical novels are about Fort Ticonderoga: Fawn, Hang for Treason, The King's Iron.

In 1993, Peck was diagnosed with oral cancer, but survived. As of 2005, he was living in Longwood, Florida, where he has in the past served as the director of the Rollins College Writers Conference. Peck sings in a barbershop quartet, plays ragtime piano, and is an enthusiastic speaker. His hobby is visiting schools, "to turn kids on to books."

—From Wikipedia

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/robert-n...

Reviews

[Rachel Aranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“A Day No Pigs Would Die” was one of my favorite school reads and I was shocked when I found out there was a sequel and that a new edition was coming out during my first year in college. Right away I borrowed it from the library as I was eager to get back to the Peck family and their Quaker ways and life in rural Vermont in the early 1900s. “A Part of the Sky” is a worthy sequel to “A Day No Pigs Would Die”; for everyone who has loved the first book and hated the second, this is a real fear. I wasn’t prepared for my emotions to be messed with this way!

The best way to summarize “A Part of the Sky” takes place with Robert Peck, our main character, dealing with the loss of his father, becoming the head of household, and trying to survive and prevent the loss of his family farm. This was a short (under 200 pages) and poignant read set in the early stages of The Great Depression with a focus on love and family. If you are someone who is skittish about animals dying both naturally and being butchered, then be warned that there are scenes were these events occurred. The animals were old and times were tough on all; they all did what they could and in the end they helped the family. I personally felt the deaths are well handled but others may disagree with me. Although, if you read "A Day No Pigs Would Die" then you're probably toughened up enough to handle these deaths. There was also mention of Robert doing blackface to hide his identity from someone he didn’t want recognizing him. While I found this action distasteful, I had to remember that in the late 1920s doing blackface wasn’t seen as bad and our main character is young and foolish. Even though it was a small part of the chapter, I hate that this event occurred and had to take some points off for it. I think Mr. Peck could have found another way for Robert to be seen as someone between child and man. Overall, this story continues the simple but true-life lessons a young boy needed to become a man. Some of the advice and comments I too found useful as it deals with real emotions and situations that ring true to this day.

I’d recommend reading “A Day No Pigs Would Die” then “A Part of the Sky” really close to each other if not back-to-back. The reason is there are moments referenced back to the original book as it takes place not too long after the events of the first novel. Even though I had a few issues I still give this book.

[Drexel 6 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I read is, “A Part of the Sky.” The book “A Part of the Sky” is about a poor boy’s 13 year old life. In his life there were some ups and downs but mostly downs. I think you should read “A Part of the Sky” because you would laugh at some of the random jokes he’ll tell you and you’ll feel sad for or even cry about some of the crazy things that are going on his life. You should read “A Part of the Sky” because it’s a really great story so try to read it if you can get your hands on it.

-Khalid, 6th grade

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is a worthwhile sequel to A Day No Pigs Would Die, but lacks some of the emotional heft found in its predecessor. I realized how much I missed the interaction between Haven and Rob fairly early in the story.

Still, a sequel that is worth the time to read.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Twenty-two years passed between the publication of A Day No Pigs Would Die and its sequel, A Part of the Sky. The two stories, however, are chronologically separated by only two weeks.

Following the demise of his hard-working father, Rob Peck at age thirteen is abruptly thrust into premature adulthood by the massive responsibilities that now surround him. He must tend to his family's farm that his father worked himself to death to keep, and he must do so while taking care of his mother and aunt and straining to stave off foreclosure by the town's only bank. Almost from dawn to the setting of darkness Rob's life is work, and at the same time that he is laboring so endlessly, he is attempting to go to school often enough that he won't have to become a dropout.

Through triumphs and even into failure, Rob meets the daunting challenges of his new life head-on, refusing to back down from the honest toil that is his father's legacy. Even when he is about to lose everything that his father worked for, Rob retains the strong spirit that always buoys him as it did his father. He has family and friends and even a new girl, Becky Lee Tate, and despite his deep losses Rob knows that he will be all right as long as he remembers the blessings that still mark his new life.

Robert Newton Peck is a good writer whose thoughtfulness blends well with the quiet intensity of Shaker life. A Part of the Sky is a good, sincere follow-up to a classic novel.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to A Day No Pigs Would Die is worthy. There's some harking back to the original book, and there are not a lot of laughs to be had. The Depression is looming on the horizon, and there's a 13 year old boy and 2 old women trying to run a subsistence farm. There's a heap of dying in this book, be warned. There's also a lot of hope, a lot of tenderness, and some plain speaking. I really enjoyed it, and I think from now on, I will read the two back to back.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends, Family and Farm life in the Great American Depression are words to describe this Robert Newton Peck book.
Set in the American Great Depression in rural Vermont, Rob learns to become even more a man as duties of the farm, taking care of his mother and aunt and people he meets up with in trying to save the farm and his family.
My Father lost both of his farms to Banks, both weather related.
I enjoyed how Mr. Peck described farm life and his love Becky in this book.

[DeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the sequel to A Day No Pigs Would Die, this story continues the simple but true life lessons a young boy needs to become a man. Even though the story is set in rural country prior to the Great Depression, it stills has more than enough lessons to teach us all about the kind of people we all should and could be.

[Arlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Peck's writing, and I wish he was more popular. 'A Part of the Sky' is about the loss of his family farm after his father's death. It's a short and poignant read set in the depression - a story about love and family.

[Devin Gaumont]

The sequel to A Day No Pigs Would Die. while not as good as it's predecessor, A part of the sky deals with the aftermath of the events of the first book. Life lessons continue to pour in for our main character as he grows more from being a boy into being a man.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sequel to A Day No Pigs Would Die, this book picks up not long after the first. After Haven Peck has died, his son Rob must help save the family farm during the Great Depression. As the man of the home, Rob tries to spare his mother and aunt some of the work, but it really does become a family affair. In the end, they all come to realize that some things are more important than land and money.

I loved the first book more, but I’m glad that I found this sequel. It wraps the story up nicely.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can a 13yo boy and two old women hold onto a farm during the Depression?

This is a story of work, perseverance, patience, showing the importance of good neighborly relationships. And despite everything, it is a story of hope where faith is not discouraged.

[Karlin Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a sequel to A Day No Pigs Would Die, this book meets expectations with simple Shaker wisdom and ethics.
Again, hard times are met with resilience and adaptation, and some romance adds the spark to make the story hopeful. Not quite the same aching beauty as the first book, but a worthy sequel.

[Kimberly R Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very great book. 10/10 would read again!

I like this book it tells you about life back then, It shows the diversity and new things we never would of thought of.

[Joyfully Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I love this! I tend to find that sequels are not as good as the first books. But this surprised me! I think it's even better than A Day No Pigs Would Die.

[Jonathan Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I never knew there was a sequel to A Day No Pigs Would Die, so this was a surprise and an excellent book.

[Daltonnessinger]

The main characters in this book are Robert, Ma, Aunt Carrie, Becky lee Tate, Mr. Ferguson and Ben tanner. The main conflict in the story is that the bank wants to take Robert Peck's house and it is up to Rob to pay the monthly bills to keep his farm up and running.
The farm hits hard times after Robs dad dies in the first book and also the drought. In the drought their ox salmon dies while he worked the land because of old age and have to put down their only good milking cow for dog meat because she was dry. The times are tough and harsh on the Peck family but figure out ways to find alternatively make money and feed the family also. Rob works with Ferguson a mill owner, Mr. and Mrs. long and helped out Ben Tanner both farmers to get food for Rob's family Mama and Aunt Carrie and also food to pay the large mortgage each and every month.
This story was a good one for the people who like realistic about the old times and can relate to a story where your mom or dad dies and leaves you to take care of the farm all alone. This book is a good read and can clearly understand the words being spoken and not pausing this good book to understand or reread a part or a word. This is the second book in the serious so if you didn't read "THE DAY NO PIGS DIE," I would or the story behind this book might get harder and harder to understand as you read on.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting short book about a young Shaker boy who is forced into taking over the family farm after the death of his father. Emphasizes hard work as its own reward, acceptance of people, and kindness. There are a few unexpectedly adult moments (there is a lot of talk about breeding animals, which is natural and all but I still know it might give parents pause, as well as a rather intense story about a young lady who lost her reputation). But overall, it's a good story about the Depression, farming, and how hard people will work through difficult times. It's a good reminder for ourselves but also for some of today's children: how lucky they are to not have to drop out of school at thirteen to work, how they don't have to rely on the kindness of friends to eat, how they don't have to watch their livelihood sold away from them because they didn't have enough money to save it. It bears remembering that we should be grateful for all we have. And think, Thanksgiving's still a month away!

[Books Kids Like · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that his father is dead, Rob shoulders the responsibility of the farm. He plows, plants, and harvest hay. He works for wages to earn the mortgage money. Rob even manages to go to school enough to pass into high school. But as hard as he works, things slowly begin to crumble around him. The recession is coupled with a drought. The Peck's garden and corn crops fail to produce anything of significance. Their ox dies of old age, and Rob is forced to sell the milk cow when she dries up. No one can afford to pay him for odd jobs. By September, they have missed two mortgage payments, and there is no money for taxes. Food gets scarce, too. Then, Rob works in exchange for food supplies. Despite the extreme hardships, Rob and his mother face the future with courage and resolve.

[Presten Mahnke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Papa died in a day no pig would die (at the end). In the part of the sky Robert had to take care of the farm he lived on. He took care of everything and he worked at Ben Tanners farm for money to pay the payments on the house but he had to get let go because the stock market was crashing and no money. He started loosing the farm so Mr. Gamp the banker told Robert that he will be loosing the farm so Robert started working for a lot of people. He first worked for Mr. Fergueson for money but Mr. Fergueson had to let Robert go. Then Robert started working for Ira Long for food but he was loosing the farm big time by that time. Mr. Fergueson offered Robert, Aunt Carry, and Roberts mom a room in his upstairs loft things and the Pecks lived happy ever after.

[Jared]

I thought this was a good book because Robert Newton Peck as the main characters life was interesting. After his father passes away, he as a young 12 year old, has to keep up the farm all by himself trying to pay off the bills to keep his property. As he works on his farm, bad things happen. When his father dies, all he has left is his aunt, and his mother. He asks his neighbor for help in which he works for food because he cant afford any.

What I liked about the book was how he lived having not much money to support himself and his family.

What I did not like about this book was the different way they talked. Some of it you couldn't really understand, but you learned a lot.

[Mikayla Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good to read I loved reading it. I thought it was amazing when Robert has to do some growing up after his father passed away. He went through some pretty rough times but that's okay because he made it through he was able to pay the first couple months of rent but then it got really hard for them to survive. Robert was only thirteen years old when his farm started to go down hill from the cows passing a way to them loosing there farm that must of been really hard for them to survie.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. This is the sequel to "A Day No Pigs Would Die," which is my favorite book. Young Robert must become the man of the farm after his father's passing. This line has stuck with me "A man doesn't stop when he's tired, he stops when the job's finished." Inspiring in today's wimpy me-me-me world.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminds me a lot of the story of Job -- kid who tried hard, does all the right things, suffers tremendously, but remains virtuous. Different ending, though. But anyone who read A Day No Pig Should Die should know what they are getting into -- this is not a book designed to make you feel better about that one.

[Miramira Endevall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this book higher, and might yet, but was sad when I put some things together and realized that although Peck uses his name for the protagonist, both this and A Day No Pigs Would Die are largely fictional. :-(

[smalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea there was a sequal. I enjoyed the book, although it did seem like he had a harder time writing the way they actually spoke. The ending was not what I expected. But I really enjoyed it.

[Lisbeth Solberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This lacks the narrative arc and emotional power of A Day No Pigs Would Die.

[Marissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished it!

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel to A Day No Pigs Would Die. Good story about a Shaker boy. Middle school kids.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book cause it was about a boy who just lost their dad, and I could relate at that time.

[Christopher Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this almost as much as the first book. Great perspective for our spoiled younger generations (myself included).