Bear Country

Chicken Squad #6

by Doreen Cronin, Stephen Gilpin (Illustrations)

It’s fall in the backyard, and though the weather is cooling down, the crime solving business is still hot. When the Chicken Squad’s neighbor Anna McClanahanahan comes looking for her missing hamster one morning, it’s an easy case to solve (Ziggy always takes a stroll from 6:30 to 7:15 a.m.). The Chicken Squad is now ready to settle in for a relaxing day of knitting—that is, until Ziggy points out that Barbara, the Chicken Squad’s caretaker—the one who FEEDS THEM!!—is missing! And not only that, but there have been sightings of a headless bear in the neighborhood! Will the Chicken Squad be able to save their beloved Barbara and get some breakfast? Or will this case be too much to bear?

Genres: Childrens, Animals, Humor, Chapter Books, Fiction, Audiobook, Juvenile

112 pages, Hardcover

First published August 14, 2018

About the author

Doreen Cronin (born 1966) is an American writer of children's books, including Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type, a very well-received picture book illustrated by Betsy Lewin.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Chicken Squad since the first adventure when they mistook the BBQ grill for a flying saucer. In this hilarious chapter, Stan the CutieMan McClanahanahan (aka Zippy the hamster) plays a key role in solving the mystery of the missing Barbara. Soon even Knuckles the cat is in on the action and Sweetie is rolling down the street in her yarn ball "sweater." They get a little help from the birds and the bees, too. Literally. Lots of fun and the reader will most likely solve the mystery well before the Chicken Squad. I suspect their adventures are at an end. It was fun while it lasted. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the JJ Tully mystery series starting with The Trouble With Chickens.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chicken Squad is on the case. But after solving the case of the missing hamster (in about a minute), the hamster reveals to them that there is another case waiting to be solved. The chickens caretaker, Barbara, appears to have disappeared. And a headless bear sighting in the neighborhood has them all shook up. Using their unusual powers of reasoning and observation, the chicks set out to find their caretaker, and their breakfast. But as is normal with this crew, things don't exactly go according to plan. Cronin has written another entertaining book that young readers who like humor, mysteries, and animals are bound to enjoy.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the six, this one is probably my favorite. I wish the longer chapter books were on going. Now, though, there are two ready to read level two books. The first of these is The Chicken House: Ready-to-Read Level 2 (2021).

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear Country: Bearly a Misadventure by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Stephen Gilpin, 101 pages. CHAPTER BOOK/EARLY READER. Antheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2018. $13.

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Four chickens are on a mission to learn the truth when they realize Susan, the woman who takes care of them, is missing. She didn’t show up to feed them and they are determined to figure out where she is. The gather clues from other animals that include seeing a bear and hearing a drum sound. They head from the farm into the city and, despite ignoring important instructions, eventually solve the mystery.

This is a delightfully entertaining book for early chapter book readers. The words are printed large, and the plot moves fast. The chickens are funny, albeit in a sarcastic way. The plot had one unnecessarily confusing point, but otherwise, is accessible to young readers. The illustrations are helpful aids in understanding the plot as new readers are working through this chapter book.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, the Chicken Squad is at it again. They are so sure there is a bear loose in their town. Now they have a network of helpers throughout the town giving them clues and their helpers are as wild with their deduction as the Squad.

I love these guys. They don't get the clues put together correctly but they solve the case anyway. I laugh as they follow the clues. I never know what they will do next.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Chicken Squad is back, and now must solve a mystery close to home. Their human, (the one who feeds them) Barbara, is missing. There has also been a report of a headless bear roaming the area. With the help of their neighborhood animal friends, the squad puts together all the clues given to find Barbara, but will it be in time, or will the headless bear get her?

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four chickens have a mystery to solve when the lady who takes care of them doesn't show up to feed them breakfast. Where could she be? Their investigations lead them into town, where rumors of a headless bear and a horrible noise abound. A humorous read for kids who are just getting into chapter books. Large font, plenty of pictures. I'll have to investigate more of this series.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

101 pages. The Chicken Squad is at it again and this time they must solve a mystery. Where on earth did their caretaker go? Humorous and mysterious story that kids will enjoy. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very funny. It is great for a new reader or a read aloud. There was a little mystery that we tried to figure out, but we were surprised at the end. Very fun book! I highly recommend it.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was a really good book it was really funny at the same time but it also is a good mystery. It is really funny that they are all chickens solving a mystery but it still isn't one of the best books I have read.

[alyssal · Rating 5 out of 5]

My oldest just finished reading this series to me and we all loved it. We’re sad to have no more of these to read. Fingers crossed there will be a seventh book some day. These are the perfect chapter books for emerging readers.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are fine, plenty of kid appeal for boys and girls. I can't tell the chickens apart but I appreciate that the animals seem to be a more or less even mix of male and female (waaaaay too many children's books have all male animals).

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute/goofy. I think kids will find this entertaining and silly. I picked it up with one of my Book Outlet orders because it included yarn and knitting, to add to my personal library of knitting themed books.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chicks are trying to solve the mystery of where the last that feeds them has gone, and also why there might be a headless bear around town. This was a funny installment of the series. Dirt is my favorite character.

[Mikey Golczynski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, but man these are getting weird.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good chicken series to get into. Find out what adventure these chickens get into in "Bear Country".

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love this series at our house, especially the audio versions!

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the members of the Chicken Squad were adorably funny, but EM lost interest after giving a few chapters a try.

[Checkthebook · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your students' time.

[Jessica F · Rating 3 out of 5]

When their dearly beloved human Barbara goes missing, the Chicken Squad will do anything to rescue her. Even go toe to toe with a headless bear!

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Sophia Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was humorous and a quick read. The jokes were funny and the characters were fun.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun kid read.

[Jon Conn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a silly book from the perspective of baby chicks.

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big brown thing????

[Gstein19 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Chicken Squad book was by far my favorite. I have enjoyed reading this series with my son.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my least favorite in the series, but still cute and the kids liked it.

[Courtney Umlauf · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute series for kids reading early chapter books. The silly humor is sure to please.

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[Shauna Yusko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Chicken Squad!