Reviews

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones

brendalovesbooks's review

3.0

This was pretty cute, but the format of letter writing started to feel tedious. I would have rather just read the story in a more regular format. This is a battle of the books selection for 5/6th graders for next year. I'm unsure how popular it will be with the kids, so I'm interested to see if they like it.

ajay913's review

adventurous funny informative lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Racism

itsmechelly's review

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

hayleybeale's review

5.0

A charming, funny, and thoughtful upper elementary/lower middle grade novel about a lonely girl and some highly unusual chickens. There is some subtle and sophisticated commentary on race and economic disparity woven in too. The illustrations, particularly of the chickens, are hilarious. Read my full review here.

linguinismom's review

2.0

This book is not my cup of tea but the ending was very cute.

abishop23's review

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

showell's review

5.0

There's is a lot more going on in this story than your average children's book. The top level storyline with the supernatural chickens is entertaining, but this is also a story about coping with loss, a move to the unknown, the (hopefully) temporary downturn in a family's economic position, and discrimination- all from the perspective of a 12 year old.

My 10 year old loves this book, and so do I. May be the best book I've read so far this year.

livres_de_bloss's review

4.0

This was cute and well put together. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
I learned a lot more about chickens than I've ever thought from a children's book. The illustrations were great and I particularly enjoyed the chubby chicken!

Next one my list is to read the Hoboken Chicken Emergency!

I confess the only thing that held me back from giving five stars was the cavalier and brash way death was handled especially in the early letters to Grandma and Uncle Jim. It just seemed kind of distasteful to beat the point home the way it was, they're deceased, we get it...

bluestjuice's review

4.0

I read this for my kid's Torchlight curriculum. It's a lot of fun, combining a good kid's narrative voice with just enough magical realism to be unusual. Sophie is a great main character, talking through her decision-making processes and making justifications for her decisions while, at heart, being a well-meaning kid who wants to do the right thing. There is also honest conversation about the realities of being a Mexican-American kid and the racist assumptions people make about her family, and how Sophie deals with that, all of which is gracefully and respectfully handled.

Also, the chickens' personalities are rather hilarious.

There is at least one sequel, and my kid requested it from the library to read voluntarily, so I'm calling it a win.

heidisreads's review

3.0

Laughable moments led me through this, but I didn't enjoy the epistolary format as much as I have in other books with the same format. Loved the illustrations, though!! Do kids want to read and write letters in 2017? Do they understand the fun of waiting for the mail carrier? I honestly don't know.