Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer

Debut novelist Kelly A. Jones introduces brave, highly intelligent and resourceful Sophie Brown, a 12-year-old poultry farmer in the making.

Jones takes readers into Sophie's world with a series of funny, insightful letters. Sophie's father has lost his job, prompting the family to leave Los Angeles and move to Gravenstein, Calif., where her recently deceased Great-Uncle Jim has left them a farm. While Sophie's father sends out his resumé and her mother writes articles, Sophie writes to Redwood Farm Supply in search of advice. Sophie also writes to her deceased Abuelita to confide her disappointment in her former best friend, and how she misses L.A. and dislikes the fact that there are "no brown people" like her and Mom. But Sophie also admits her fondness for Gregory the mailman and some potential friends in town. Sophie soon learns that Great-Uncle Jim had some chickens, and she begins to discover their whereabouts. She grows quite attached to them, and soon has another problem on her hands: Ms. Griegson keeps showing up with her orange pickup truck, trying to snatch Sophie's "unusual" chickens. Not wanting to lose the chickens or disclose their unusual qualities, Sophie keeps them secret from her parents, feeding and protecting them herself. Katie Kath, with spontaneous pen-and-ink and watercolor wash artwork that calls to mind Sue Truesdell's work, injects humor and emotion, while also informing readers with occasional drawings of various chickens.

Readers will hope for more from irrepressible Sophie and this talented author. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness

Powered by: Xtenit