Saturday, June 23, 2012

The Secret Chicken Society


Cox, Judy   The Secret Chicken Society     
Holiday House     2012  88p   $15.95
978-0-8234-2372-9       elem    VG    Animal stories   

Written for elementary students, this short chapter book will help introduce young readers to the idea of reading longer chapter books.  Black-and-white illustrations scattered throughout will help students visualize the story.

Daniel is a third-grade boy who loves pets.  His class is doing a project in which they raise baby chicks, from the earliest stages of ordering the eggs and  watching them hatch in an incubator, to caring for and feeding the chicks.  When only five of the eggs hatch, the chicks are offered to class members through a lottery system.  At the end, Daniel and his family get to keep all of them and raise them as pets.  When one of the hens turns out to be a rooster, Peepers, Daniel and his siblings form the Secret Chicken Society to hide the fact from their parents.  Since Daniel’s family lives in the city and keeping roosters is not permitted by law, the Secret Chicken Society pinky swears to keep his identity a secret.  However, neighbors hear the rooster crow and the police are called to investigate.  Daniel and his family have fourteen days to figure out what to do with Peepers.  For Daniel, giving up Peepers is difficult, and he is determined to find the best place for Peepers to live.

The lively text and illustrations add to the story’s meaning.  The author includes Daniel’s Egg Journal, which adds to the already strong story.   Students who enjoy animal stories will appreciate this fast-paced read.  There is also an Accelerated Reader quiz available, quiz #150205.
           
VG       Charleen Forba-Mayer         Chickens, Pets 

 

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