Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan by Frances Dowell - OPTIONAL

Dowell, Frances O’Roark Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan, 112 pages. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2016. $15.99.

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G

Seven year old Sam wants to find a way to make a lot of money, just like his big sister, Annabelle. He thinks he’s too little to do much, until he realizes he can help take care of the neighbor’s chickens while she’s away. He does such a good job, that he decides to save money for his own chicken, which he houses with the neighbor’s chickens. In the meantime, he starts taking an older neighbor on daily walks to see the chickens, and develops a friendship there.

This book started out very slow. The first few chapters seemed like a lot of whining from a seven year old boy, and a, maybe unintentional, lesson on the value of a dollar. As the book progressed, the story did get better. The book is about a third grade reading level, but I don’t think it would appeal to children of that age. It could work for a simple read aloud. It may appeal to someone who raises their own chickens.

EL (K-3)-OPTIONAL. 

Reviewer: J. Rosskopf