A Chicken Was There: Tales of the Pioneer Chickens Who Helped Settle the Great American West

A Chicken Was There

by A.A. Davenport

In the eerie silence, as tumbleweeds spun across the dusty streets of Tombstone, four men walked toward the O.K. Corral with murder in their hearts. Watching, by an aged and rotted fencepost, with a half-masticated caterpillar in her mouth, a chicken was there.Inside the fortified walls of Fort Laramie, in the lawless heart of the vast and desolate prairie, George Donner leaned against a cracked, adobe wall contemplating the decision that would cost so many lives and ultimately, shock the nation. At his feet, pecking the moldy, discarded crumbs of the day-old piece of cornbread he carelessly clutched in his hand, a chicken was there.As the train lurched and careened to a screeching halt, the muffled screams of passengers were drowned out by the sound of gunfire piercing the air. The infamous James Younger gang climbed aboard, their eyes hard and cold above the bandanas that covered their cruel faces. They entered the mail car, and in a crate by the side of the safe, a chicken was there.Now, for the first time ever, the chickens who witnessed the greatest events of the American Wild West and met the larger-than-life men and women who forged their place in our imaginations, will tell their stories. Part historical fiction, part humorous observation, with sharp wit and heartwarming innocence, the hens and roosters who were there give their unbiased accounts of life on the frontier. Through the course of twenty-five short stories these eyewitnesses to history will show you a side of the Wild West never before told, and not easily forgotten. From Westward Expansion to the California Gold Rush, from Dodge City to Deadwood, a chicken was there.

130 pages, Paperback

Published October 30, 2023

Reviews

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life through the eyes of a chicken. 🙂

[Northwoods Bookseller · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this, I thought, okay, this is definitely a no-brainer of a book, and wondered if I should keep reading it or not. But then, as I got to the next couple chapters, I thought it was kind of cute and I liked how the stories revealed historical figures and events that took place in the Great Wild West. Further into the book, I highlighted many profound and insightful parts, and by the time I finished, I couldn't wait to start book "too". What a creative way to introduce history.

[Kai · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are planning to read this book, think twice. I'm a sixth grader, but felt like an old man reading this book-- it was childish. The vocabulary was not very broad and I didn't feel like I was learning anything new about the time period. On the other hand it would be an excellent book for 2nd-4th grade students to introduce historical topics. Although at first it may seem like creative way to teach history, I only felt like I was learning vague and random things about chickens. I'll just stick to eating chicken with some tasty sauce.

[Rigel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wild West from a chicken’s POV

Cleverly written stories about the Wild West told from a chicken’s perspective. These brief history lessons span from the 1800’s to early 1900’s and are the perfect length to read when you only have 10 minutes to spare. Would make a great gift for both chicken and pioneer lovers.

[Kathy Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an especially fun read for me personally. I love chickens and let our neighbors flock graze on my yard all the time. I name them, love them, and enjoy their antics so this book gave me a bonus of seeing life from their perspective. I laughed and I learned from this delightfully fun collection of chicken stories about the Great American West.

[Brittany Abshari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute/fun book. It’s from the perspective of various chickens throughout historical events in which chickens were in the background doing “chicken” things, like getting in the way, causing people to step in poop, battling cross beak ect. It’s adorable really, a very fast read and at times kind of “duh”
It’s certainly a book for chicken lovers.

[Sarah Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

hilarious and inspiring

I read this book to preview it before reading it with fourth graders for a historical fiction study in a book club. I think it will keep their attention. It’s funny and thoughtful and informative. Each chapter is from the perspective of a different chicken who shares importance snippets from historical moments of significance.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever owned chickens this is a book you will love! I loved the short stories told from a chicken’s POV. It also encouraged me to research some of the famous people and events mentioned in the stories.

[Allen Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining in a silly way

I found this book mostly a waste of time. However, I enjoyed the writing style, it was entertaining in a silly way, certainly a creative approach, and a quick read.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

84 books read this year. This is one of a few or the only 5 star. Thought provoking, funny, a different world view. Excellent and fast read. Can't wait to read the next 3. Thank you for this book!

[Chad JB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little stories

I think I bought this little book for 99 cents and I really enjoyed the stories. Also I don’t leave reviews for a lot of books unless they manage to make an impression. Cute stories that would be good for kids too.

[mike shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it...

This book kept me laughing. Its about true history but from a chickens point of view. I'm getting ready to start the second one, there are four total. It really is a cute read. I'm thinking of buying hard backs for my coffee table.

[Shelia Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

I really enjoyed this book. It made history very interesting from a chickens perspective. Chickens are pretty clever and tasty!

[Shawnee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorites - the first and last!

[Beverly Fuqua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda cute and silly, but not really as funny as I expected.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not as funny as it could have been.

[Alesa Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and unique way to introduce kids to different parts of our history. Makes me want to take each chapter and look up the historical figure in more detail with my kids.

[Anna Bayer · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF could not hold my attention in the first place 11 pages. This book may be for someone but that someone is not me.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful and insightful quick read for all ages. I think it was written for middle grades, but I enjoyed it.

I never knew I needed the perspective of chickens in historical events, but here we are. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.