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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
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.
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
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.
My 10 year old loves this book, and so do I. May be the best book I've read so far this year.
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.
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.
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.
Not sure what I was expecting, but this is a fun book, with humor in it for adults as well as 12-year-olds. I enjoyed the personalities of the chickens.
3.5. Cute idea, endearing protagonist, but the conflict is a little underwhelming.
Continuing with books I read in the past, I read Kelly Link’s middle grade novel back in July 2015. The story is told in letters, an epistolary novel, if you will, of Sophie and her experience raising, as the title says, unusual chickens. Let me give two examples: one chicken lays glass eggs and another can turn invisible. There is a surprising amount of detail about how to actually run a chicken farm for a humorous children’s novel. And it is a funny book.
In this day and age, we have a great need for diverse children’s books. Sophie’s father is white while she and her mother are brown skinned and, while Jones does not dwell on race and diversity, those are important details that are effectively worked into the story.
In addition to telling a great story, Katie Kath’s drawings in the book are quite delightful in showing elements of farming as well as anatomical chicken details with a slightly demented touch. The pictures really go well together with the story.
Engaging and funny.
What epistolary novels have you read?
What was the last truly enjoyable children’s novel you read?
Epistolary novels are always favorites of mine and I fell in love with Sophie on the first page. What a wonderful story! The ethnic diversity makes it a book I can hand to all my kids so they see themselves.