Chicken Boy

by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Book Overview

Since the death of his mother, Tobin's family life and school life have been in disarray, but after he starts raising chickens with his seventh-grade classmate, Henry, everything starts to fall into... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689858167
• ISBN13: 9780689858161
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

What an Amazing Book

Ive read this book so many times and still cant get enough of it. Frances O'Roark Dowell has done it again!! Just another thrilling story! I recommend this for all ages. Trust me you won't be dissapointed.

Interesting Thing...

Well maybe I am just easily pleased, but I really do enjoy this book. Yes, DO as in, I still read it every month or so when I'm broke and can't buy any new books. The characters are simple, but I would have gotten confused if they were too complex, I am no critic, just a person who reads what they can find and afford. I relate to this book, though it may be a little goofy or hard to believe, the dilemma of not knowing whether to stay loyal to your own family or surrender to something that is better yet equally uncomfortable is one I know of only too well. So if you are looking for something simple and not terribly intense, than I recommend this book, if not, well good luck to you.

My reveiw on Chicken Boy

How much do you know about chickens? The book is written by Frances O'Roark Dowell . The story takes place in North Carolina. Tobin (main character) has the last name of McCauley, his family has a record for getting in trouble. Tobin is neglected from his peers and never talks to anyone. That is until he meets Henry. From that moment on Henry never leaves Tobin's side. Now Henry is obsessed with chickens. He gets Tobin involved in the chicken business that he and his brother Harrison are in. At the same time Tobin's family issue becomes horrible. As the book goes on Tobin finds the souls in these chickens and his life becomes better. I thought this was a good read for people who like realistic fiction stories. I recommend this story to people in middle school for the main character is in 7th grade. Also a story that has a fast paced story line and a sarcastic point of view from the main character. I dislike the lack of content in the book. The ending happens too fast in my opinion. But overall it is an awesome read and I highly recommend it.

See the world through new eyes

Chicken Boy, by Frances O'Roark Dowell, sounds very childish and silly, but is a very true and can almost be sickening. The boy, Tobin, lives with is brothers and sisters in an old house behind a gas station. They live in pretty much a pig sty. This is mainly because Tobin's mother died of cancer and since then, their house has been a mess and his Grandma and dad will not talk to each other. This book gives you a real life feeling, it shows you how other people's lives can be. Tobin goes back to school and he doesn't have any friends. There is only one class he likes, and that is English. His teacher really believes he can do great things when no one can. One day, he gets in a fight with a boy and another boy, Harrison, helps him. Tobin and Harrison become good friends. Harrison raises chickens and is using them for a science extra credit project. Tobin gets to know all the chickens and soon gets involved with taking care of them. He buys his own chickens and takes care of them. He gets very close to them and learns that he can relate to them more than some humans and they give him a new outlook on life. This book is really touching because even through all Tobin is going through, he always goes to see the chickens. By Grace

Another Winner from Dowell

Frances Dowell is one of the finest young people's authors out there today. From the masterful and gripping Dovey Coe to the canny Secret Language of Girls, to the thoughtful and gripping world of Chicken Boy, Dowell shows again and again that she understands kids and their concerns. Her books have both strong storytelling and a moral code. She makes characters that provoke lively discussion between parents and kids and teachers. There's so much gloss out there today, books that seem more concerned with showing girls how to be pretty and boys how to be cool. Dowell's books show kids and grownups how to be loving, responsible, kind human beings. And she does it with grace and style and wonderful stories. Her characters seek to improve and expand their hearts and minds. Dowell's books are essential.