This is a masterful, funny story about a girl and her newfound best friend, a memorable pig with a lot of character. Saucy is a symphony of many parts working together. There's a quirky protagonist with an upbeat -- but maybe flawed? -- nature. There's a family where everyone is walking to his or her own tune, but all band together when required. There's a mysterious, dark undertone. And there's a diva named Saucy. And Saucy has needs-- no, she has demands! She demands to be fed in large quantities whenever she wants to-- she'll chew through Becca's mom's vegetable garden just for show. She'll tip chairs to make a point, and she'll plow through screen doors if she hears a potato chip bag opening. Saucy, in short, is more than "one smart pig." She's one smart pig with a magnificent personality.

Kids will relate to Becca's desire to take risks for Saucy because, "owning a pig obviously involved all kinds of quick executive decisions." Owning a pig is a chance for Becca to show the world that she's responsible enough and good enough to own a pig. Even school bullies don't matter as much when you've got a pig like Saucy in your life. She's Becca's purpose, her thing. But Saucy's past carries an overwhelming secret, which kids will also appreciate -- the adult world is complicated and sometimes scary. In this story, though, love and commitment triumph over pain, and it shows that when all of the different parts work together, harmony can be achieved.