Chicken Feathers

by Joy Cowley, David Elliot (Illustrations)

Feather-flapping fun by one of the best-loved storytellers of our time.

A talking chicken! Josh knows it sounds ridiculous, but that's just what Semolina is. And she's not just a talking chicken . . . she?s a spirited, sarcastic, sassytalking chicken. And with Josh's mom in the hospital about to give birth to his sister, Josh needs Semolina more than ever, even if she will only talk in front of him. But when Semolina tells him that a fox is sneaking into the hen house at night, can Josh get his dad to believe in Semolina before it's too late?

Chicken Feathers introduces one of children's literature's most original, endearing new characters to peck her way onto the page. In the tradition of Charlotte's Web, here is a book full of tender moments, sparkling humor, and classic black-and-white illustrations.

Genres: Animals, Fiction, Fantasy, Childrens, Juvenile, Middle Grade

160 pages, Hardcover

First published May 29, 2008

About the author

Cassia Joy Cowley is a New Zealand author best known for her children's fiction, including the popular series of books Mrs. Wishy-Washy.

Reviews

[Qt · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet story of a boy and his talking pet hen! It sounds like the author really knows chickens, and the illustrations are very cute. I also loved all the summery details, and Josh's friends and family are well-drawn. For me, though, Semolina the chicken was my favorite part :-) It was so nice to read about a boy and his pet hen, and I loved that the chicken details were so accurate.

[Gillian Torckler · Rating 2 out of 5]

We're on page 45 of 141 of Chicken feathers: my son (9) and i have been reading this together and he has decided its not worth carrying on. I will, because i am slightly intrigued to see if it gets any better, because at the moment I agree with him....page 53 and it has been cast aside. I really don't know why this doesn't work for us. It may be the way it is told, it might be the american setting not feeling real, but mostly i think it because nothing has happened.

OK, I persisted to the end and there was a cute, and satisfying ending, but overall this book still hasn't turned my dials. And I doubt it would be enough to keep many kids turning the pages.

[Marla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maine Student Book Award 2009-2010
I thought this book had a cute premise, but it had some inappropriate references for grades 3-5.

[Willow · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It was funny, it was poignant, it was strange. There were several awkward anatomical references that I felt were inappropriate, and a comment about how God is in all the animals and some other weird stuff. The naughty, rude talking chicken had me laughing, but she was a rather inappropriate character with a gluttonous appetite for "Grandma's brew."

[Val Gropp · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is attractive..it has nice illustrations…I was pre-reading it for the Grands..it had good stories….but the Tarkah Egg references were very odd…The twisted God references…I dont think I will get it to the kids…I think this book is confusing. Lots going on. I can imagine most children would grab it off the shelf..but not many finishing it and it would best be read with an adult.

[Jemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this original narrative that includes a sprinkling of fantasy. Wonderfully descriptive language develops the characters and setting to a satisfying depth. Look forward to sharing with my daughter when she’s around eleven (due to a couple of references suitable for tweens and above).

[Monica Hocking · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read. Showed great example of bonding between a child and his pet. And lessons of life decisions and how all that can make you stronger.

[Lesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my 7 and 10 yr old daughters. I needed a short book while waiting for a library hold. This one was perfect. It was a very cute story and we all enjoyed it.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun tween fiction that deals with some heavier topics - like pregnancy loss and growing up. I especially enjoyed the author's ending...no spoilers, but it was just perfect.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat strange tale of a boy who befriends an alcoholic talking chicken. I thought it was a Maine author, but it's based in New Zealand.

[Imogen · Rating 3 out of 5]

yeah cute kids book read it in 30 minutes for speech and drama

[Leila Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my 6 and 7 year old and they adored it. We have chickens of our own and my kids are obsessed with them. This book was funny and well-written. The only thing that bothered me was when the main character commented that the neighbour girl now had "bumps" on the front of her shirt. That was a little unexpected and I omitted it in my reading.

[Cheyenne Antell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book balances the childlike excitement of a talking animal with the adult problems of infertility, family strife, and living close to the poverty line. Perfect for elementary or middle school students, or as easy reading for older teenagers and adults.

[Eva Mitnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

We had a hen named Samantha who used to come sit in my lap and whose fondness for standing under the sprinklers was her eventual downfall (hens and water do not mix well; she caught a fatal cold). There was Henrietta, a plucky red hen with lethal-looking spurs and a bossy personality. Kaya and Griffin used to try to roost on my shoulders when they were gawky tweeners. There have been plenty of other hens, all rather sweet and dim-witted – as chicks they pecked at their own toes, mistaking them for worms, and many of them don’t have the sense to get out of the rain. Granted, it doesn’t rain much here, but still.

Not one hen has ever spoken to me, and so I can only assume that not one had the brains, wit, and sheer chutzpah of Semolina, the aged and crotchety heroine of Chicken Feathers by Joy Cowley (Philomel, 2008). She only talks to Josh, her adopted chick of a human boy, and it’s a good thing she does, because he needs a confidante – his mom is in the hospital due to a risky pregnancy, his cranky, hen-scorning grandma has moved in to cook and clean, and his old friend and new crush Annalee has acquired a figure and a boyfriend.

No one believes that Semolina actually talks to Josh, which makes for a lonely and confusing summer. But Josh and Semolina manage to save the inhabitants of coop #3 from a fox – who is then hell-bent on revenge.

This is a weirdly realistic novel; in fact, I hesitate to call it a fantasy, despite the talking chicken. It’s clear to me that she does talk, because there is no ambiguity about the things she tells him and because at the very end she talks to everyone, even the “biggies.” Now, we never do learn their reaction to this talking hen, so maybe she didn’t really talk – but I refuse to buy that. She’s a talking hen, darn it, and that’s all there is to it. And she is stubborn, cantankerous, and a worrywart with a passion for home-brew (just like Josh’s grandma, he realizes at one point). The language is simple, with just a bit of down-home folksiness. The characters are drawn with a spare but affectionate brush, which matches their own uncomplicated natures.

This is a charmer of a story, with humorous drawings to go with it (Semolina is one bedraggled but dignified hen). Recommended for everyone – a great read-aloud for ages 4 and up, and for readers grades 2 – 4.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowley, Joy. 2008. Chicken Feathers. Illustrations by David Elliot.

Chicken Feathers by Joy Cowley is enjoyable enough for what it is: a mostly charming story about a boy who loves his pet chicken, Semolina. Josh is the only one in his family that knows (and believes) that Semolina is more than just a chicken. She's an extraordinary chicken: a chicken that can talk. Not just squawk. But talk. Actually talk in human words. Every one else....well...let's just say that they don't trust Josh that much. Semolina has her vices, however, and one of them is her addiction to "brown water" or brew.

There are a few story elements going on in this one: Josh's first semi-semi-crush on the girl next door; the family dealing with a difficult pregnancy. (Josh's mom is hospitalized at six months.) The grandmother (mother-in-law) coming to take care of the family while the mom's in the hospital. And the chickens. There is a fox on the loose in the neighborhood. And Semolina's warnings are going unheeded--at least in the very beginning--so there is danger on that front.

I liked this one. It was unique enough. Not many books about talking chickens having special relationships with their owners that I can recollect. But as nice as it was, amusing as it was in places, I didn't quite love it. But I liked it.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little novel is about a boy named Josh and his talking pet chicken Semolina. Semolina does not simply make ordinary chicken sounds, but she speaks English, and she is very confident with her sass talking when it comes to being alone with Josh. No matter how hard he tries Josh cannot get her to talk to anyone but him. Throughout the story Josh's family deals with a difficult pregnancy that keeps his mother in the hospital for three months, and they have an issue with missing eggs. Everyday there are at least three to four dozen eggs missing, and Semolina claims that a fox is causing the problem. Semolina also has an issue with drinking Josh's grandmother's "brew." This book has a few references that I would not immediately advise for young readers, but there are very relevant topics present that many children may be able to relate to. As we look as Josh's developing crush on Annalee, we see many aspects of young children. There are so many themes going on in this novel that I would expect third through fifth graders to interpret and apply to their own lives. I recommend this book to many young readers that enjoy a good laugh from a talking chicken.

[Elissa Schaeffer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Several stories surrounding Josh come together during one summer. First there's his pet chicken, Semolina, who talks only to him and insists she knows what's happening to the eggs in house 3. Then there's his crush on the neighbor, who is a little older than Josh and starting to change in ways Josh doesn't understand. His grandmother has come to stay with them and he's never quite seen eye-to-eye with her. All this surrounding the fact that his mother is in the hospital for most of her last trimester to ensure the safety of her pregnancy and delivery of Josh's new baby sister.

Josh was likeable enough and seemed older than his age in some ways and younger in others. Semolina was quite the character and fun to read...but that's coming from a grown-up. I'm not sure how those in grades 3-5 would feel about an alcoholic chicken, or about the changes Josh has noticed in his neighbor.

All in all, I found this to be just merely okay. I'm doubtful if I'd recommend this to any of my library patrons. Grades 3-5 but with forewarning of content.

[West Region,]

Chicken Feathers, by Joy Cowley

Josh has wanted a pet, but a pet chicken was not what he had in mind. Especially the ornery and cantankerous chicken, Semolina. But Semolina soon becomes Josh’s very best friend and she has a very special talent. Semolina can speak, and not just chicken squawks, but human talk. But Semolina is also stubborn and she will only talk to Josh.

This is okay with Josh, until the eggs start disappearing from the nests in their chicken farm. Only Semolina knows where the eggs have gone. The chicken tells the boy, but will anyone believe him in time?
Perfect to read aloud with your family or to your students, enjoy this story about a boy and his spunky chicken that has a lot of attitude.

Grades 3-5
Humorous Fiction
Submitted by Jocelyn Mullen, 1/27/09

[Isaac Mcnickle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because I needed to read a book in the category of New Zealand author and I thought of Joy Cowley.
This obviously fills the New Zealand author category. I enjoy this category as it just shows what talent a small country can produce. It just builds up the confidence of other NZ authors that they can make it in the big time.
My favorite quote from the book is '"I told you for the umpteenth time, I ain't never wasting my words on biggies(adults)" Semolina snapped'

Something new I learned from this book is if you believe you can achieve.

Semolina(the hen) interests me in the book because she acts just like a human while still keeping her hen features obvious.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, well written, heart-warming story. I was fearing the "chicken that talks" but it fit, and provides a neat perspective. Josh's parents have struggled to have a second child, and now mom is in the hospital on bed rest. Semolina is the chicken that talks to only Josh, and is a funny, wise- cracker with a taste for Grandma's home brew. neat characters, a bit of drama, and lots of chickens, this book felt old-timey but still relevant.
It would make a great read aloud for grades 1-3, or a nice independent choice for older readers.

[Shelleyburns]

International Book. Themes - family, pets, friends. This is a very funny story about a boy named Josh who has a pet chicken named Semolina. Semolina is a very sassy chicken and can talk, but only to Josh. Something is happening to the eggs in one of the chicken houses and Semolina knows what it is. She tells Josh it is a fox, but nobody believes Josh. This book is appropriate for ages 3 - 5. I would use this book to reinforce comprehension skills, build vocabulary, or for a writing assignment to create a short story about an animal that could talk.

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. The chicken talks but only "her boy" knows so it causes problems when trying to solve why the eggs go missing. And, she likes the hard stuff. It started out a bit rough when somewhere the fact-checker/editor went awry and allowed the black and white dairy cows on the neighboring farm to be called Herefords (which are actually reddish-brown and white beef cattle) instead of Holsteins but I pushed passed and finished. It makes me glad my chickens can't talk (or won't talk) to me. I'd probably get fed up with all their squawking and carrying-on.

[Lisa Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I taught Kinder and 1st grade for several years and I used Joy Cowley books that were published through the Wright Group.--Lazy Mary, Mrs. Wishy-Washy, the Meanies. So when I saw that she had written a chapter book, I was interested.
I really enjoyed this book and I think kids all the way to 6th or 7th grade would enjoy it. I think you could use it as a read-aloud at the end of Kinder. It was really a cute book!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chicken Feathers is "retro" at its best. Joy Cowley is a nuanced and finely paced storyteller, and this enchanting short novel about a loving family is sure to appeal to all ages. While the plot is really quite predictible, the strength of the book is the characters, and by far the finest is Semolina, an ornery piece of poultry with attitude and a taste for home brew.
This book would be an excellent read aloud for children and adults alike.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A divinely different kind of book. While telling an amusing tale about a boy, his pet (talking!) chicken, and his friends and family, the author seeks to impart moral and philosophical messages about love, respecting all life, the existence of God and respect for others' beliefs, faith (as in taking for fact what others tell you is truth), and forgiveness. The story is a good one, written by the author of Mrs. Wishy-Washy. I recommend it, especially for 7-11 year olds.

[Matthew Winner · Rating 2 out of 5]

No for our library.

It's fun to have a book where a farm animal talks to children, but must we make her so sassy and with such a perked interest in moonshine? Additionally, there does not seem to be much feel of urgency for any story conflict. A fox is getting into the hen house, but the talking hen refuses to tell anyone but the boy, and she'll only talk to him if he promises to bring her his grandmother's ale. Not so much.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nostalgic story by a gifted storyteller who has created an unforgettable, wise animal character who talks like E.B. White's spider, Charlotte, but Semolina is an old, wise-cracking hen who likes brown water or home brew and Joshua,her "biggie" pet, who is the only one she'll talk to. No one believes Joshua when Semolina tells him about the fox who's been taking eggs from the hen house. The story has parallels of incubating eggs and a pregnant mom and themes of love, loss and change.

[Melissa Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

Themes: Pets, farm life, family, raising chickens, relationships

Relates the story of the summer Josh spends while his mother is in the hospital awaiting the birth of his baby sister, and his pet chicken Semo-lina, who talks but only to him, is almost killed by a red fox.

Uses in the classroom: Good for character development, discussions of fantasy (talking chicken), Students could write a conversation between Josh and Semo-lina.
Good for discussions about family and relationships.

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a cute book. I love that this author does not talk down to children. She explores some real issues in this book and we experience them from the view of a preteen boy. An alcoholic chicken, mom in the hospital for the summer due to a high possibility of miscarrying for the umpteenth time, an ornery grandma, a childhood crush all grown up, a stern, but kind farmer dad, learning adult responsibilities. So many good things.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weird. I thought I wrote about this one...
I absolutely LOVED it!
Semolina is one of the most memorable characters in children's books: a crotchety old talking hen who is drunk on "brown water" (brew) all the time and has so much fight in her that even a fox with vengeance is not her match!