Chicken Feathers
Josh is a worrier - and for good reason. Grandma has arrived to run the household while Josh's dad is busy with their chicken farm, and his mother's in hospital about to give birth. Then there's Semolina, Josh's cantankerous but extraordinary pet hen. In return for prawn crackers... read full description below.
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Full details for this title
| Interest Age |
8-11 years |
| Reading Age |
8-11 years |
| NBS Text |
Children's Fiction |
| ONIX Text |
Children/juvenile |
|
| Number of Pages |
140 |
| Dimensions |
Width: 129mm
Height: 198mm
|
| Weight |
Not specified - defaults to 600g |
|
| Dewey Code |
823.2 |
| Catalogue Code |
32014 |
Description of this Book
A feel-good story about Josh, and his cantankerous pet hen, Semolina. Semolina can talk and in return for prawn crackers and the odd beer, she tells Josh all the animal gossip. The problem is that no one believes she can talk and Josh's warning about a fox on the loose in the chicken house is laughed at - until it is too late. Underscored by the drama of Josh's mother having to stay in hospital until her new baby is born (a Son, we're not good layers.') this has a humorous, folksy feel that will appeal to 9-11-year-olds.
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Awards & Reviews
| Awards |
Shortlisted for New Zealand Post Children's Book Award: Junior Fiction 2009.
|
| US Review |
Channeling Dick King-Smith, Cowley offers a warmhearted tale set on a chicken farm featuring a lad with a feathered confidante that talks - though only to him. In the double-stranded plot, Josh's mother is abruptly off to the hospital to prevent another miscarriage, while back on the farm eggs are disappearing. Josh's hen Semolina fearfully tells him that there's a fox on the prowl, but Josh can't convince his distracted dad. Then Semolina disappears, leaving blood and scattered feathers. Though the humans in the cast display individual quirks and feelings, it's Semolina, temperamental and occasionally poetic - Sun egg or moon egg, fast time or slow time, foxes hunt chickens with big sharp teeth - who's the most vividly drawn character here. Elliot provides an aerial view of the farm, plus a spare selection of spot art. Tucking in just the right number of subplots, the author builds to a climax infused with the sense of the miraculous, leverages happy endings all around (except for the fox) and closes with a twist. Not a standout, but expertly done. (Fantasy. 9-11) (Kirkus Reviews) |
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Author's Bio
Much published, awarded and loved New Zealand children's author. Next to Margaret Mahy, Joy would be our most popular children's author. Joy now lives in Wellington but still has land in the Sounds.
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