Chapter 3 Dr Bryce

In this chapter, Cam returns home to find his mother and father arguing about the possibility of a cure for him - a high risk procedure that is both experimental and controversial involving transgenics and the use of a genetically enhanced pig heart. Mum doesn't think the procedure is a good idea, but Dad does. What are the arguments that they use to say that they are right? Who do you agree with? What is the main reason, in your opinion, that each of them are hanging onto their point of view? Who is the one person who is forgotten in the overheard discussion, and why is that a problem?

Please add some of your ideas and thoughts about the book, and perhaps what you think will happen next - do you think that Cameron will opt for the transplant, and what was the unsaid message that Dr Bryce was trying to get across to Cam during the discussion?

Chapters 1 and 2 - Drowning and Ticking

We read the first two chapters of this book today, and I think from what we said in class you all seemed to enjoy it and want to find out what happened to Cameron in the end. Does he die at the start of the book and have his life flash before his eyes? We will have to wait and see. All we know so far is that he is dying because he contracted a viral infection that has damaged his heart. He only has months to live and the doctors can't do anything for him. We decided that he felt out of control and very angry about his situation as well as sad and frustrated. Swimming was one way that he could rebel and do what he wanted, but was he right to go swimming. Tomorrow we are looking at the positives and negatives about his visits to the pool, but was he right to go? What do you think? Write a comment below and remember to add your name in the box at the bottom.

Welcome to the Pig Heart Boy Blog!! Over the next couple of weeks we can use this blog to discuss this fantastic book written by Malorie Blackman. If you are lucky enough to be looking at this from home, away from the school network, you can click on the video link below to see her reading the opening chapter of this book. You can also visit the video bar at the side which has previews and trailers of other books you might like to read.

What do you think about this book? Have you heard of it before? Does it create any images in your mind before we start? 

Add to the blog with your ideas and comments, and If you get time have a look at Malorie's biography on the net to find out more about this influential author.