The Secret Chicken Society

by Judy Cox, Amanda Haley (Illustrator)

When Daniel's class hatches chicks as a science project, he adopts them. When he finds out that his favorite bird, Peepers, isn't a hen but a rooster, and therefore illegal to keep in the city of Portland, The Secret Chicken Society is quickly formed to save Peepers. This warmhearted chapter book about an environmentally-conscious family will provide plenty of clucks and lots of chuckles for young readers.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Juvenile, Family, Humor, Middle Grade

96 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

Author of children's books

Reviews

[Julie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughters and I have an elaborate plan to raise chickens, starting next year, so when we found this book about a class in Oregon that decides to hatch chickens, we were intrigued.

It turns out, it's a chapter book with an intended audience of 6-9 year olds, so it was a little on the young side for my 12 and 10 year olds. (They let me know pretty quickly that I'd done them a disservice: “M-o-m, it's for, like, babies.”)

It's not for babies; it's perfect for K-3rd grades, and it was a sweet story about an interesting class project and a tofu-loving family that ends up having one too many animals on their suburban “farm.”

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightful chapter book reminds young readers of the joys and complications of living in a family and in community. Daniel is enchanted by Peepers, one of the chicks that hatches in his classroom. He is even more delighted when he gets the chance to take Peepers home at the end of the school year. The other four classroom chickens also find a home at Daniel's house. What is a boy to do when he finds out something about Peepers that could put that chicken in jeopardy. Thus the Secret Chicken Society is formed to try and deal with the problem. What plans will they put in action? Will they work? You will have to read the book and find out. Highly recommended for classrooms with chicks in incubators as well as for chicken lovers all over. Reminiscent of Beverly Cleary and her iconic books about children and animals.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book in 30 minutes or less. It's a good starting chapter book, and it would probably make a decent younger grade read aloud, especially if the class has chickens. I know there's an audience out there for this kind of straightforward, cute, realistic fiction, but this one just didn't grab me as special.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ups and downs of raising poultry. Daniel's city has a rule that is ok raise hens, but not roosters. What happens when he discovers his hen is actually a rooster? Will he be able to find a home for it before it it is too late?
Raising chickens is in right now, so this should appeal to many. Animals lovers will enjoy this, too.

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I even start this review I feel obligated to admit that I am biased: I don't like chickens. I wasn't looking forward to reading this particular book. I will also admit that my dislike of actual chickens faded to the background as I read Judy Cox's The Secret Chicken Society.

It begins with Daniel, a student in Mrs. Lopez's 3rd Grade class. Daniel is an animal lover and already has a pet gerbil, a rat and a parakeet. When Mrs. Lopez reveals to the class that not only will they be hatching chicks, the students are able to give the chicks permanent homes provided they bring $2 and a note from their parents saying it's all right.

The Secret Chicken Society is created by Daniel and his brother and sisters as a way to protect the chickens they inherit from the classroom--which ends up to be much more than they bargained for. The author does a great job of weaving interesting nonfiction facts about chickens into a simply, but tightly and clearly, plotted storyline. Daniel, his brother and sisters and his parents are completely believable characters who speak and act genuinely in each situation. The addition of Daniel's neighbors--both Mr. & Mrs. Grafalo and Miss Clay and her poodles--is a perfectly positioned plot addition.

Along with the real-life information about how to hatch eggs, care for the chicks and the chickens they become Ms. Cox has built in the real challenges of keeping chickens in a backyard--the smell, the cleaning and the noise. The Secret Chicken Society has the traditional structure of: (1) boy wants special pet; (2) boy gets special pet; (3) boy loses, or almost loses pet; and (4) boy finds solution. She hits each of these elements in a way that makes sense and is entertaining. The chicken escape scenes in particular are extremely well done--vivid and action-packed and chuckle-worthy.

The plot, language and sentence structure are perfect for the younger end of the Lovelace Division I readers. Young or beginning readers transitioning to a higher complexity in story structure will thoroughly enjoy Daniel's experiences. The Secret Chicken Society is a perfect independent or read-aloud choice for ages 5-8.

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel’s third grade class wraps up their unit on life cycles by incubating eggs and raising chicks. Five of their eggs hatch, and the chickens are supposed to go home with five different kids, but Daniel ends up taking them all when, one by one, families back out. Daniel’s family is happy to have the chickens (well, everyone except his mother, who just needs a little convincing), and they have space in their yard/garden for them to exercise and hunt for food. There’s a bit of a crisis, however, when Daniel realize that his favorite “hen” is actually a rooster. Roosters aren’t allowed within city limits – their crowing makes them a nuisance. Daniel and his siblings try to hide the fact that Peepers is a rooster – forming the Secret Chicken Society – but eventually a neighbor complains and they’re forced to find a new home for him. Fortunately, Peepers is an exemplary therapy rooster and makes himself at home among the residents at a local nursing facility. All’s well that ends well!

Although this is fiction, it could serve just as well as narrative nonfiction as it includes a lot of information about hatching out chicks, and the care and keeping of chickens. Backyard chickens are a hot topic in many communities these days as neighbors debate the costs and benefits. This presents chicken keeping in a positive light but sets realistic expectations about the responsibility and work involved in caring for them. Daniel’s “Egg Journal” (at the end) revisits and reinforces the key concepts and vocabulary. Great choice for classes studying life cycles, or beginning chicken-keepers.

[Carolyn Arrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 2014-2015 Virginia Readers' Choice book for elementary students.

Mrs. Lopez's 3rd grade class is studying life cycles. They have a incubator and twelve eggs. Daniel loves animals. In fact he wants to be a veterinarian when he grows up. Right now, he has a number of pets: a hamster, a rat, a parakeet and several guppies. Once the eggs hatch Daniel definitely wants one of the chicks. Five of the twelve eggs hatch. When the other classmates who signed up for one of the chicks back out. Daniel volunteers to take the five surviving chicks. In Portland, people are allowed to raise chickens in the city as long as they are cooped up and as long as there are no roosters. Peepers, Daniel's favorite chicken, turns out to be a rooster. Daniel and his sisters and brothers do their best to hide that fact from their parents and neighbors. When Peepers early morning crowing reveals the secret to the neighbors and then to the police, Daniel's family has fourteen days to find Peepers a new home. Daniel thinks of a creative way to find a good home for Peepers.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for Summer Reading Club

Animal lover Daniel's class is hatching chicks for a science project. Once the project is done each chick will go home with one of the children. Daniel is so excited to have his own chick to raise and when it turns out that no one else can take them he's thrilled to find out that five hens are coming to live with him and his family.

The only problem is one of the hens turns out to be a rooster and it's illegal to have a rooster in the city limits. Can the quickly formed Secret Chicken Society keep Peepers hidden or will he end up in the big stew pot in the sky?

Such a cute book. Great for boys or girls, easy readers or those kids just looking for a light read.

There's even some subtle environmental issues worked in.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read that is great for the youngest chapter book readers. Daniel loves animals and is excited about chickens hatching in his classroom. His wish comes true when the family votes to bring a chick home and he actually is chosen to adopt a class chick! Then, all others who planned to take a chick home back out and Daniel's dad says "Sure, we will take all five of them home." Now Daniel gets the family involved in caring for the chicks and learning how they help in the garden. The only problem they might have is if they have a rooster in the group because the city ordinance is clear "roosters aren't allowed in town." This quick chapter book is funny, exciting and will be enjoyed by boys and girls alike. I'm so glad it is on our state Sequoyah master list.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Chicken Society by Judy Cox, illustrated by Amanda Haley - What a hilarious book! I loved how caring and persistent the main character is... and how information about hatching and raising chickens is naturally integrated into the book. If I was at my old school, this would be on the shelf immediately since my Kindergarten class hatches eggs and many colleagues have their own chickens. I think that many children would enjoy successfully reading this lovely book. Imagine if your class science project is brought home and takes over your family's life! Special little treat for 1st-3rd graders...

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat cute but predictable story. It starts out as a class project about life cycles: seeing chicks hatch. But the teacher will only do the project if enough students volunteer to adopt a chick after they have hatched. Daniel, an animal lover and future veterinarian, just has to have one of the chicks. Instead, he ends up with all five of them. He's okay with that, but it causes some trouble at home both with his mom and their next door neighbor, Mr. Graffalo. Things get worse when they figure out that one of the chicks is actually a rooster ... and roosters are not allowed in the city limits. Now what? They can't get rid of Peepers! But how do you hide a rooster from everyone?

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daniel's class is hatching chicks. This will be a culmination of their study of the life cycle. Daniel is a boy who LOVES animals! He already has several small pets, and hopes his parents will allow him to adopt one of the chicks once the class is finished with their studies. Luckily for Daniel, his parents are into the sustainability movement, so they are "willing" to let him take a chick. This is a well-written story, with believable characters. Young readers will enjoy following Daniel's triumphs and challenges that come with his chick--and they'll learn a little bit about local government and ordinances. Recommended for grades 1-4.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pet and animal lover Daniel can't wait for his class' next project: hatching baby chicks! He hopes that he will be one of the lucky students chosen to take a chick home afterwards too. Would raising a chick be all it's "cracked up to be?"

This book is appropriate for a wide range of readers: both boys and girls, beginning readers, or readers who want a quick read. It also makes a great read-aloud containing humor mixed with great educational content. Thank you Holiday House for recommending this book for my library!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fabulous early chapter book that kids will really enjoy. Daniel's class hatches some eggs, and for a number of reasons, Daniel ends up with all 5 chicks. Mom said he could have one as long as it wasn't a rooster, but she softens when she sees how cute the chicks are. Unfortunately, the cranky neighbor next door is not at all pleased with the chicks. And then one of the "hens" starts trying to crow. It is great fun to see how Daniel and his siblings try to fix the mess, and the resolution is one that makes the characters - and the reader - quite happy.

[Elissa Schaeffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story, definitely good for midway readers transitioning to traditional chapter books. It's about a boy who loves animals and desperately wants to bring home the chicks his class hatches. Adventure ensues! :) The story wasn't overly complex and had a nicely wrapped up happy ending. The environmental message was more than obvious but slightly covered by the nature of the father and the family being so involved in local produce and growing a garden, etc.

Overall an nice, sweet, short read that would be good for 2nd graders and up.

[Luanne Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found his book humorous and predictable. Daniel's third grade class had been studying life cycles. They set up an incubator with twelve eggs, in hopes that some would hatch. Daniel, a pet lover and future veterinarian, really wanted a chick. Daniel ended up with all five of the hatched chicks. The city code allowed chickens, but no roosters. Can you guess what one of them was? The Secret Chicken Society was created to keep it a secret. The back of the book provides vocabulary and information about hatching chicks in an incubator.

[Jez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story in which Daniel gets to bring home the five chicks that hatched in his classroom's incubator. Hens are allowed in his neighborhood, but roosters are not. Daniel and his siblings (The Secret Chicken Society) try to hide the fact that Peepers is a rooster and not a hen in order to keep him. But he just won't stop crowing!

Nice read for girls or boys who are reading beginning chapter books.

[Marcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

A boy's class hatches eggs at shcool and he takes home the brood to his suburban family. A grumpy neighbor, and the realization that there is a rooster in the group (which violates town ordinances) creates the conflict. One of this year's MCBA nominees, it is much too young to be on the list. The protagonist is a third grader and the action will delight first and second graders, especially if they are hatching eggs, but this one isn't of much interest to grades 4-6.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I loved this one. Perfectly silly chapter book, with lots of misadventures as a family (some of them begrudgingly) adopts five baby chicks. Follow along as these city folks attempt to become farmers, with somewhat mixed success. All would have been okay, except for the grumpy neighbor, and the noise, and . . . Young readers will delight in watching Daniel and his siblings work things out to save the chickens.

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son's summary of the book:

There was a rooster in the book that almost got took away. Peepers and Daniel are the main characters. Peepers is a rooster and Daniel is a boy. They met at school. Daniels wants Peepers and all the other chickens. He takes them to his home. He does not want to eat them. He wants to keep them as pets. Peepers is a rooster and it's against the law to keep a rooster as a pet. The police came to the house.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a 4th grade teacher and our school recently decided to keep 2 hens in a chicken coop. I felt this would be the perfect first read aloud for the year. It's also a Maud Hart Lovelace nominee. We even did an outdoor classroom observation of the chickens as the students sat in a circle and the chickens ate cantaloupe. Overall, the students seemed to enjoy it. I found it to be pretty good. Each student gave it a score of 1 to 5 and our class average was a three.

[Natalie Cheetham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daniel loves animals, so when his teacher asks for volunteers to take home the chicks the class has just hatched, he's only too happy to oblige. But, with a bunch of siblings, a prowling cat, a grouchy neighbor, and one of the chicks hiding a secret, chaos ensues.

This is a nice, easy read for 2nd to 3rd grade animal lovers...although they may wind up asking for chicks of their own.

[Sara-Zoe Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd grade-ish book. It's a fairly ok story about hatching chicks at school, and the main character ends up getting to take them home. One is an illegal rooster, and the kids try to keep it a secret, which of course doesn't work. I found the details that were focused on a little strange at the beginning, but overall, pretty good for the chicken obsessed.

[Miri Gifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually not at all annoying, like I thought it was going to be, and it was even educational. It's one that I picked up just because I thought kids would think the title is funny, but the story is also entertaining and written well enough for adults to stomach.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, but a touch wordy for the audience, I think. A solid chapter book with illustrations about a boy and his family as they try to keep their rooster's identity a secret. Neatly wrapped up in the end.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful early chapter book about raising chickens. I like the reality of the book (the class starts with 12 eggs, but only 5 hatch), and the problem of having a rooster in a suburban neighborhood. A must read aloud for primary classes hatching eggs. A great book for kids who love animals.

[Pattie Babbitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joey and I enjoyed researching facts in the book such as "Do chickens really lay green and blue eggs/" (The answer is yes by the way...although apparently you know this if you buy locally from someones backyard!)

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a great book to demonstrate to students the chicken egg raising process. It would be a great read to do as a class awaits their incubated eggs. It also demonstrates issues of having pets...especially chickens!

[Georgene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is cute if you are a 3rd grader. It is simple, easy to read and cute. It is a Virginia Readers' Choice title for this school year. It will make a good read-aloud for our classes that hatch eggs in the Spring. The summary on Goodreads says it all.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my six year old and she liked it. I loved it for the satisfying ending. One of the best things about this book is that the familynis very environmentally conscience but it doesn't come off as preachy...it's their normal and I think that's a great idea to expose children to.