Scan barcode
sueodd's review
4.0
I haven't read a middle grade book in a while, and I was happy that this one is written really well and doesn't feel childish. The story is told through the eyes of Sophia Brown, a 12-year-old who recently moved to a farm her family inherited, in the form of letters written to her neighbors and deceased relatives. The book also is peppered with adorable illustrations, but unfortunately they were hard to see on my kindle. This isn't a book about normal chickens. Sophie quickly discovers a chicken with special abilities, and sets about teaching herself to care for it (and convince her parents that she's up to the task) while trying to protect the chicken from a neighbor who is showing far too much interest in it.
danicamidlil's review
Eh, couldn't hold my interest past the first third of the book.
mrswelborn's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was another read-aloud with my kids, and it was just fine. Not entirely memorable, and the last few plot twists at the end had us all a little confused. An okay book, but perhaps a little half-baked.
molly_dettmann's review
3.0
3.5 Super cute story about a girl named Sophie whose family inherits her great-uncle's farm that is also home to some exceptional chickens. Quick, funny read that any upper elementary student would throughly enjoy. The illustrations and chicken facts are fun as well.
crystal_reading's review
5.0
Review copy: ARC from publisher
The title struck me as amusing before I even got to the text. The look in the top chicken's eye's on the cover also cracks me up. There was no way that I could ignore this book and I'm so glad I didn't. Sophie and her adventures had me smiling and giggling over and over even when dealing with serious things. Her first letter to her grandmother is a good example. Her abuela died recently and Sophie writes, "I know you're dead, and I don't believe in zombies, so you don't need to write back or anything."
And those chickens! The chickens are hilarious and only become more so as you slowly learn how unusual they really are. There is a mystery unfolding throughout the book and I don't want to spoil it, but know that there are many laughs along the way. The humor is also embedded in the fun pictures. Katie Kath has added a lot through her playful illustrations. The expressions on the faces of the people and the chickens are fabulous.
This is a light-hearted and entertaining book, but Sophie doesn't only talk about the chickens in her letters. She mentions the chicken that uses The Force and other bizarre happenings involving superhero type powers, but she also discusses race, class, identity and fitting in. It's done in a matter of fact way and doesn't get teachy or preachy. Sophie is half Latina and looks like her Mexican American mother. She explains that some people assume that Sophie and her mother (who was born in the United States) are undocumented immigrants. Another time she writes, "People always think Mom and I are poor. They even did when we had some money, just because we're brown." This is not a case of a humorous story with a character who "just happens to be Latina." Her culture shapes her story and how it is told.
An extra bit of wonderfulness in the story is the recipe for migas. I love books that encourage me to make something new in the kitchen.
Recommendation: Definitely get this as soon as it's available. You'll want to read Unusual Chickens and share it widely. You may also end up grabbing The Hoboken Chicken Emergency since Sophie is a superfan and read it aloud to her chickens.
The title struck me as amusing before I even got to the text. The look in the top chicken's eye's on the cover also cracks me up. There was no way that I could ignore this book and I'm so glad I didn't. Sophie and her adventures had me smiling and giggling over and over even when dealing with serious things. Her first letter to her grandmother is a good example. Her abuela died recently and Sophie writes, "I know you're dead, and I don't believe in zombies, so you don't need to write back or anything."
And those chickens! The chickens are hilarious and only become more so as you slowly learn how unusual they really are. There is a mystery unfolding throughout the book and I don't want to spoil it, but know that there are many laughs along the way. The humor is also embedded in the fun pictures. Katie Kath has added a lot through her playful illustrations. The expressions on the faces of the people and the chickens are fabulous.
This is a light-hearted and entertaining book, but Sophie doesn't only talk about the chickens in her letters. She mentions the chicken that uses The Force and other bizarre happenings involving superhero type powers, but she also discusses race, class, identity and fitting in. It's done in a matter of fact way and doesn't get teachy or preachy. Sophie is half Latina and looks like her Mexican American mother. She explains that some people assume that Sophie and her mother (who was born in the United States) are undocumented immigrants. Another time she writes, "People always think Mom and I are poor. They even did when we had some money, just because we're brown." This is not a case of a humorous story with a character who "just happens to be Latina." Her culture shapes her story and how it is told.
An extra bit of wonderfulness in the story is the recipe for migas. I love books that encourage me to make something new in the kitchen.
Recommendation: Definitely get this as soon as it's available. You'll want to read Unusual Chickens and share it widely. You may also end up grabbing The Hoboken Chicken Emergency since Sophie is a superfan and read it aloud to her chickens.
heathersbike's review
What total fun. Letters aren't my favorite but somehow it worked in this case.
driedfrogpills's review
3.0
It was cute! I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say I absolutely loved it. Definitely a good book for kids, though, especially those who enjoy a bit of adventure and mystery or who are interested in animal stories. Personal rating is a three star but in terms of readability, an interesting heroine, and quick pacing it's really more like a four.
edenpst's review
4.0
Very cute book with some actual facts about chickens.
Fun quick read. Great for kids that love animals or anyone with a curiosity for chickens and a good imagination.
Fun quick read. Great for kids that love animals or anyone with a curiosity for chickens and a good imagination.