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The Chicken Who Saved Us: The Remarkable Story of Andrew and Frightful
Recognized by the Wall Street Journal , the Washington Post , and NBC News , this award-winning, laugh-out-loud, reach-for-the-tissues story of an autistic boy's desperate struggle to survive a deadly illness and the backyard chicken who transforms his life into a tale of improbable hope and miraculous healing is nothing short of remarkable .
World-renowned author and autism spokesperson TEMPLE GRANDIN calls The Chicken Who Saved Us "Heartbreakingly beautiful."
Eight-year-old Andrew is autistic and bilingual. He speaks English and Chicken. With words limited by autism, Andrew lives in a fantastic world where chickens talk and superheroes come alive. But when he tells his pet chicken Frightful that his body is trying to kill him, it launches Andrew's family and an entire medical community into a decade-long quest for answers. This beautiful, fierce, and refreshingly honest memoir takes readers on a mother's journey through the complex landscape of modern medicine to discover the healing bond between a boy and Frightful, the chicken who saves them all.
"This book is proof that the transcendent human-animal bond can offer a genuine kind of salvation." - Julie Barton , New York Times Bestselling Author of Dog Medicine, How My Dog Saved Me from Myself
"A lovely tale that shows us how human thoughts and words are not always necessary to form great friendships and unbreakable bonds." - John Elder Robison , New York Times Bestselling Author of Look Me in the My Life with Asperger's
Nancy Pearl Book Award Winner, Independent Publishers Award Winner, Eric Hoffer Grand Prize Finalist, Washington State Book Award Finalist
World-renowned author and autism spokesperson TEMPLE GRANDIN calls The Chicken Who Saved Us "Heartbreakingly beautiful."
Eight-year-old Andrew is autistic and bilingual. He speaks English and Chicken. With words limited by autism, Andrew lives in a fantastic world where chickens talk and superheroes come alive. But when he tells his pet chicken Frightful that his body is trying to kill him, it launches Andrew's family and an entire medical community into a decade-long quest for answers. This beautiful, fierce, and refreshingly honest memoir takes readers on a mother's journey through the complex landscape of modern medicine to discover the healing bond between a boy and Frightful, the chicken who saves them all.
"This book is proof that the transcendent human-animal bond can offer a genuine kind of salvation." - Julie Barton , New York Times Bestselling Author of Dog Medicine, How My Dog Saved Me from Myself
"A lovely tale that shows us how human thoughts and words are not always necessary to form great friendships and unbreakable bonds." - John Elder Robison , New York Times Bestselling Author of Look Me in the My Life with Asperger's
Nancy Pearl Book Award Winner, Independent Publishers Award Winner, Eric Hoffer Grand Prize Finalist, Washington State Book Award Finalist
290 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2017
38 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 15, 2017
Andrew and Frightful, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. This remarkable memoir told through the eyes of one determined, devoted mother, tells the story of her autistic son, Andrew's rare gene mutation, Trisomy 8 Mosaicism (T8M). This condition manifests itself in a myriad of complications and increasingly painful, life-threating manners. Desperate for answers, Kristin and her husband seek the help of medical professionals hoping to save the boy's life. Andrew, like many with autism, has difficulty communicating with the world. Fortunately, he has a loyal friend in Frightful, an Araucana hen. Thick as thieves, boy and chicken share a unique bond, one that turns out to save not only Andrew's heart but also his will. Throughout it all, Kristin is brutally honest and vulnerable, sharing her heartbreak, triumphs, and, at times, wavering trust in the Lord. But her faith remains strong as do her friends and family who go above and beyond to assist the family in their many hours of need. This is a story about love, family, faith, and one very special chicken.
September 4, 2019
Came for the cover, stayed for the book. Heart rending true story of medical miracles and a personality packed little hen, but it's Hannah who's the true hero!
April 13, 2017
A truly memorable book written with such emotional candor that I couldn't believe that it was the authors first book. It's a beautiful story of human challenge and triumph. Andrew is autistic and he speaks English and Chicken. His names his pet chicken "Frightful" and his conversation with his pet is overheard by his mother and she realizes that Andrew is in pain and suffering.
I was in tears one page and roaring with laughter the next page.
Do yourself a favor and read this wonderful book. When I was half-way through I ordered 5 more copies to give to my family and friends. It's a book you will never forget.
I was in tears one page and roaring with laughter the next page.
Do yourself a favor and read this wonderful book. When I was half-way through I ordered 5 more copies to give to my family and friends. It's a book you will never forget.
April 15, 2017
Touching story about a young boy with autism who developed a serious disease and how a chicken helped him through it, as told by the mother. Very interesting.
Currently reading
January 21, 2017Kristin shares the story of her family in raw and humorous ways. She invites the reader to consider their own journey of struggle while sharing the unique connection between Andrew and his beloved chicken. I loved every page! An inspiring and insightful read.
November 16, 2021
I read this book based on the recommendation of a friend whose child had been diagnosed with the same disease as Andrew, the child at the center of this book. While the writing and story are compelling for so many reasons, the biggest reason for reading this book, in my opinion, is for the inside view it gives all of us into the life of a family with a severely ill child. Even thought it wasn’t necessarily written as a “how to” guide there are SO MANY tips and insights on how to support families in need within the communities of children’s hospitals…I hope it finds its way into waiting rooms or hospital libraries across the country.
December 22, 2017
Will be buying this book for several people in my life; full of hope, insight & grace, especially for care givers.
December 2, 2020
You don’t have to love chickens to love this book. It is raw. Real life. Funny. Heart breaking. Spiritual. A must read for all but especially for anyone who either has, or knows someone who has a special needs and/or critically ill child. It is very well written. I felt like I was a friend going through this incredibly difficult time right along side her. You will not be disappointed.
January 20, 2018
The 3-star rating is being generous because I know that underneath all the self-centered angst of the author, there is someone who went through a trial that I shudder to even contemplate.
This is the cathartic telling of the journey that Kristin Adams, her son, Andrew, husband, Jon Adams, and daughter, Hannah, took through a nightmare of autism, extreme genetic disorder, bone-marrow transplant and ultimate, but fragile, triumph. For the first 180 pages of the book, I was emotionally invested in what the family was going through. But after that point (and it is, ironically, just as tension is mounting over how the bone-marrow transplant will go) I lost that high-level of sympathy and just nose-dived as it became apparent that the author was all about herself. Now, this may be an inescapable flaw in retelling a personal story from one's own point of view. I don't know, never having attempted it. I get that she can only try to explain (with any degree of accuracy) what she actually felt and was going through. But I was greatly turned-off by her lack of empathy or caring as to what her heroic daughter was feeling. She mentioned her and her feelings peripherally, but mostly as an irritation to what the author obviously considered the main event, which was how her son's body would react to the transplant. And, again, maybe that's a normal reaction and I'm expecting more than a person can humanly give.
I understood her struggles with faith, although I thought it took her a long time to realize that the people who were there for her and her family were God's foot soldiers and that even Frightful the chicken, was a gift from God. It's to her credit that she did finally realize it.
As with most books, I think it would have benefited from a deep condensation. I think her salient points could have been made in many fewer pages, since it was confusing to me to know just where we were on Andrew's timeline. For example, at the end of the book, she states that Andrew was now 20, that they got Frightful when he was 8 and that the chicken lived for 10 years...does not compute!
Two things stood out to me as most amazing in this book, apart from the medical miracles and frustrations. They are: the length of Frightful's life (isn't a chick you buy at the feed store the avian equivalent of a feeder goldfish?!) And, far more impressively, the strength of the Adams's marriage. I don't think it is made quite clear enough how much their loving bond, which seemed to increase in depth, made the greatest difference to the dynamics of the events. Children in a single-parent home who have serious handicaps and/or illnesses, are at exponentially greater risk than children equally burdened, but living in loving, united, two-parent homes.
This is the cathartic telling of the journey that Kristin Adams, her son, Andrew, husband, Jon Adams, and daughter, Hannah, took through a nightmare of autism, extreme genetic disorder, bone-marrow transplant and ultimate, but fragile, triumph. For the first 180 pages of the book, I was emotionally invested in what the family was going through. But after that point (and it is, ironically, just as tension is mounting over how the bone-marrow transplant will go) I lost that high-level of sympathy and just nose-dived as it became apparent that the author was all about herself. Now, this may be an inescapable flaw in retelling a personal story from one's own point of view. I don't know, never having attempted it. I get that she can only try to explain (with any degree of accuracy) what she actually felt and was going through. But I was greatly turned-off by her lack of empathy or caring as to what her heroic daughter was feeling. She mentioned her and her feelings peripherally, but mostly as an irritation to what the author obviously considered the main event, which was how her son's body would react to the transplant. And, again, maybe that's a normal reaction and I'm expecting more than a person can humanly give.
I understood her struggles with faith, although I thought it took her a long time to realize that the people who were there for her and her family were God's foot soldiers and that even Frightful the chicken, was a gift from God. It's to her credit that she did finally realize it.
As with most books, I think it would have benefited from a deep condensation. I think her salient points could have been made in many fewer pages, since it was confusing to me to know just where we were on Andrew's timeline. For example, at the end of the book, she states that Andrew was now 20, that they got Frightful when he was 8 and that the chicken lived for 10 years...does not compute!
Two things stood out to me as most amazing in this book, apart from the medical miracles and frustrations. They are: the length of Frightful's life (isn't a chick you buy at the feed store the avian equivalent of a feeder goldfish?!) And, far more impressively, the strength of the Adams's marriage. I don't think it is made quite clear enough how much their loving bond, which seemed to increase in depth, made the greatest difference to the dynamics of the events. Children in a single-parent home who have serious handicaps and/or illnesses, are at exponentially greater risk than children equally burdened, but living in loving, united, two-parent homes.
February 21, 2021
Check on my full review on instagram at @bitchinbookclub_
The Chicken Who Saved Us by @kristinjarvisadams ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’ve been delaying writing this for a long time because I wanted to make sure I did this story justice. First off, this is a true story written by the mother of all chickens @kristinkarvisadams. Kristin is a super hero mom and on top of it all a beautiful writer. I am a sucker for people who are willing to lay out the darkest parts of their lives so others can understand, and Kristin did just that. This is a touching story of a boy named Andrew, who is autistic, and also developed a rare genetic mutation, T8M. This condition is very painful and can be life-threatening. Andrew has a difficult time explaining his pain, and only knows how to communicate it to his chicken, Frightful. This story shows how deep a mother’s love truly runs, and how this amazing chicken Frightful, saved Andrew’s life. You can clearly see how much Adam’s loves her son and daughter throughout each page of this book. I can not thank her enough for sharing her life with us, dark parts and all, to inspire others. This is one story I will never forget. And, I know this is her first book but, I selfishly hope she will be writing more in the future because the way this woman tells a story is truly a masterpiece!!!
The Chicken Who Saved Us by @kristinjarvisadams ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’ve been delaying writing this for a long time because I wanted to make sure I did this story justice. First off, this is a true story written by the mother of all chickens @kristinkarvisadams. Kristin is a super hero mom and on top of it all a beautiful writer. I am a sucker for people who are willing to lay out the darkest parts of their lives so others can understand, and Kristin did just that. This is a touching story of a boy named Andrew, who is autistic, and also developed a rare genetic mutation, T8M. This condition is very painful and can be life-threatening. Andrew has a difficult time explaining his pain, and only knows how to communicate it to his chicken, Frightful. This story shows how deep a mother’s love truly runs, and how this amazing chicken Frightful, saved Andrew’s life. You can clearly see how much Adam’s loves her son and daughter throughout each page of this book. I can not thank her enough for sharing her life with us, dark parts and all, to inspire others. This is one story I will never forget. And, I know this is her first book but, I selfishly hope she will be writing more in the future because the way this woman tells a story is truly a masterpiece!!!
December 28, 2016
Wow! This is a beautiful, heartbreaking, and amazingly well-told story about a family's life with a child's devastatingly painful illness, told with raw honesty by his mother. You will feel like part of this family and learn so much about what families go through in these situations, and how to help others or ask for help if you need it. Andrew's autism is shown in wonderful honesty, making his story even more special. Not to mention the comfort he got from a family chicken.
May 30, 2017
This is a remarkable story of love, courage, and faith in the midst of unfathomable obstacles. It is the story of the bond between a boy and his beloved chicken. It is the story of a miracle.
September 8, 2017
The reason most of us fall in love with books in the first place is that they open up worlds we never knew existed and introduce us to people and perspectives we’ve never known. There are so many of these worlds, typically hidden—many of which we’d never willingly enter—like the world of critical childhood illness within the massive walls of the best hospitals in the world.
In The Chicken Who Saved Us: The Remarkable Story of Andrew and Frightful, Kristin Jarvis Adams introduces us to the remarkable people of this world—people, like Andrew, who are braver and more resilient than most of us can imagine. In this frightening world, which has a medical language all its own, Adams takes our trepidation about this world and transforms it into tenderness and awe for the doctors, who work at the very borders of medical discovery, for the friends, who operationalize support in ways most of us have never conceived, for the families with sick children that endure the unendurable, for the patients that bear the unbearable, and, most unexpectedly, for the animals—including Frightful, who only got to visit Andrew in the hospital via video call, but who became a friend more than worthy of the superhero persona and status Andrew bestowed.
I am so glad to have spent several recent evenings immersed in this world of everyday heroes, who too often remain hidden from our view, and I applaud Kristin Jarvis Adams for deftly sharing such a touching story.
In The Chicken Who Saved Us: The Remarkable Story of Andrew and Frightful, Kristin Jarvis Adams introduces us to the remarkable people of this world—people, like Andrew, who are braver and more resilient than most of us can imagine. In this frightening world, which has a medical language all its own, Adams takes our trepidation about this world and transforms it into tenderness and awe for the doctors, who work at the very borders of medical discovery, for the friends, who operationalize support in ways most of us have never conceived, for the families with sick children that endure the unendurable, for the patients that bear the unbearable, and, most unexpectedly, for the animals—including Frightful, who only got to visit Andrew in the hospital via video call, but who became a friend more than worthy of the superhero persona and status Andrew bestowed.
I am so glad to have spent several recent evenings immersed in this world of everyday heroes, who too often remain hidden from our view, and I applaud Kristin Jarvis Adams for deftly sharing such a touching story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2020
I finished this book the same day I picked it up. I wasn't expecting to fall into this book so hard. I was hooked on Andrew's story and his horrible ride through his illness. As a graphic designer I connected to Kristin and her drive for a career and balancing it all between work and family and being perfect. I also really felt akin to Hannah and her anger against Andrew and her parents of being the forgotten sibling. While nothing to this caliber has happened in my family I often feel the same way as being the one who is always ok and the other sibling needs all the attention. It can be hard and I think she handled it well. The best part is this book is a pretty quick one. It felt like everything was necessary and it wasn't too long. It also wasn't graphic or gory which a lot of hospital type books can be. I loved how the community came around the family to help them through this catastrophe. I often have a hard time asking for help and found the way they came together a good experience to ask for help and keep asking.
The only thing I didn't love with the push of god and the narrative there. Im not christian so sometimes I feel like its pushing peoples beliefs, but in this case I think it was necessary and part of the story but I just don't get into that as much.
Overall this was a great and powerful read that really put things into perspective.
The only thing I didn't love with the push of god and the narrative there. Im not christian so sometimes I feel like its pushing peoples beliefs, but in this case I think it was necessary and part of the story but I just don't get into that as much.
Overall this was a great and powerful read that really put things into perspective.
June 11, 2019
This non-fiction book is about one families struggle in trying to help their son who claims his "body is trying to kill him". Although the book is called the chicken who saved us, the story is actually far from being about chickens. You will gain insight into the very complex medical system that surrounds us. You will also learn about the struggle of one family and the Seattle medical system that helped them diagnose and eventually treat a very rare genetic condition in their son after years of suffering. If you are a parent, brother, sister, teacher, friend, doctor or even just a curious individual, I highly encourage you to read this book. One families struggle of years of pain could be another person's answer. I had the pleasure of meeting the author and she shared in great detail the struggles her family went through and where everybody has landed today. Kristin still remains optimistic and is an inspiration to so many going through similar experiences. Don't hesitate in reading this book. I'm very glad I did.
May 22, 2024
This book is so moving, so real, so transparent about just being human, and so very honest. I'm so thankful this author was vulnerable enough to share their experience of what was truly a very difficult time (years). I found myself looking at how I have handled my own struggles and found I could understand even if just a little bit the path she had to walk. No one's experience is normal nor is anyone's grass greener. The raw honesty and her own imperfect self she shares with us in her story just helps you to want to come along and cheer for them. In her writing we also see how important it is to stand up for what we know to be true, to listen to our insticts, and that we absolutely cannot go it alone. We all need community and faith (however that might look for you). Kristin does an excellent job of bringing the reader into her world. I did cry but she had me laughing too. Thank you for sharing your story.
August 28, 2020
"Remarkable" is in the title and that is truly what it is. Reading this book gives you a look into the life of a mother who is trying to better understand her autistic son and of all things a chicken named Frightful allows for a communicative bridge to be built. Giving this book to all my friends who need a little love, hope, or inspiration. If you or a loved one has any experience with someone on the spectrum this would be an amazing gift that I think everyone can either relate to or learn from.
January 3, 2022
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙐𝙨 by
🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷/5
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The true story of an autistic boy with a body siege by mysterious illness, and the chicken who saved his life.
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I read this book last year when I was in a reading hiatus and it really hit close to me. One might say that being best friends with a hen might be bizarre but if it wasn’t for Frightful, Andrew would have been suffering in silence. Having a nephew who is autistic, I always have the fear that he may not feel comfortable enough to express himself to me. He’s only 3, but I try to be there for him the best way I can. This book was very emotional for me and seeing the way Kristin and her husband fight for their child was genuinely so beautiful. Thank you sharing your story with us, Kristin!
🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷/5
—————————————————————-
The true story of an autistic boy with a body siege by mysterious illness, and the chicken who saved his life.
—————————————————————-
I read this book last year when I was in a reading hiatus and it really hit close to me. One might say that being best friends with a hen might be bizarre but if it wasn’t for Frightful, Andrew would have been suffering in silence. Having a nephew who is autistic, I always have the fear that he may not feel comfortable enough to express himself to me. He’s only 3, but I try to be there for him the best way I can. This book was very emotional for me and seeing the way Kristin and her husband fight for their child was genuinely so beautiful. Thank you sharing your story with us, Kristin!
March 13, 2019
I learned about this book when I attended the Pacific Northwest Writers Association conference in 2018, where The Chicken Who Saved Us won the Nancy Pearl Book Award for memoir. I would have bought it and read it for that reason alone, but the cover and the story behind it also drew me in. In this memoir, Adams relates how her son Andrew, who has autism, formed a close bond with a pet chicken named Frightful, and how Andrew's conversations with Frightful ultimately saved the boy's life.
October 19, 2019
Beautifully written account of a mother facing the challenges of having an autistic son with a rare and near deadly genetic disorder. I picked up this book while my own child was in intensive care and couldn't put it down. Kristin's book is honest, insightful, and surprisingly funny. A much-needed read for caretakers, parents of autistic children, animal (chicken!)-lovers, and anyone that needs to be reminded that love is always the best medicine.
July 28, 2017
Every parent will be touched by this remarkable story!
My heart was touched by a family in turmoil, seeking every avenue to make their family whole and healthy. A wise chicken and an extraordinary young boy connect on a level that give us hope in the midst of so much despair. We have much to learn about caring, sharing, and loving.
My heart was touched by a family in turmoil, seeking every avenue to make their family whole and healthy. A wise chicken and an extraordinary young boy connect on a level that give us hope in the midst of so much despair. We have much to learn about caring, sharing, and loving.
April 14, 2018
This is one of the few books where I had to flip to the end of the book just to see how it was going to end before I had finished it...because I was a MESS reading it. I have a particular soft spot for beloved chickens.
February 25, 2019
Andrew is an autistic boy who also has a lot of other health problems. A chicken becomes his best friend, which sounds implausible but actually isn't. Because of all his medical problems, he feels like his body is killing him. A scary thought for one so young, and for his family.
This is a true story and takes place in Seattle (mostly at Seattle Children's).
This is a true story and takes place in Seattle (mostly at Seattle Children's).
July 12, 2019
I was so into the telling of this story, that I did not want to lay it down. It was very inspirational to me. That a chicken would live so long for a boy who needed her is nothing short of amazing. I believe some animals are just angels wearing fur (or feathers in this case) there’s just something a bit different about them.
September 11, 2019
Heart gripping, Page turner
I'd recommend this book to anyone who cares about others and how they live and deal in their lives. Kristin Adams does a fantastic job sharing the ups and downs of all aspects of dealing with severe illness with Andrew as well as his autism . This story will make you cry and teach you so much
I'd recommend this book to anyone who cares about others and how they live and deal in their lives. Kristin Adams does a fantastic job sharing the ups and downs of all aspects of dealing with severe illness with Andrew as well as his autism . This story will make you cry and teach you so much
August 6, 2017
Amazing story regarding the journey of Andrew and his chicken, Frightful. This story has given the insight of how love and determination can help through a crisis. Highly recommend reading for all families’ whether or not they are going through a medical crisis.
Sam
Sam
October 3, 2019
A chicken in time
An awesome story of a boy with autism and a family dealing with medical problems along with it. I especially liked the recommendations at the end of the story.
An awesome story of a boy with autism and a family dealing with medical problems along with it. I especially liked the recommendations at the end of the story.
July 26, 2023
This was a thought-provoking story about one family’s journey through a medical maze, and I found it both encouraging and frustrating, as I’m sure the author (mother) felt many times over! A good read!
June 10, 2017
Raw, honest, heart wrenching, heart warming!
March 8, 2019
Kristin Adams bears her soul to tell of the heartwrenching story of her son who endured so much pain. I definitely recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews