Turkey Pox

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Charity has chicken pox, there's a terrible snowstorm outside, and it looks like the Chatfields will have to spend Thanksgiving without Nana

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Family

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

UPDATE! Rebellion 1776 is out! The New York Times wrote, "Filled with immersive detail, expert delineations of complex characters, and both harsh and loving reality, Rebellion 1776 provides young readers with a true experience of a historic moment in time that resonates with today's world." Huzzah!

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author of many award-winning books including the groundbreaking, modern classic Speak, a National Book Award finalist which has sold over 3.5 million copies and been translated into 35 languages.

In 2023, Anderson was named the Laureate of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, long considered to be the de facto 'Nobel Prize for Children's Literature.'

A passionate spokesperson for the need to combat censorship, she has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English. She lives near Philadelphia. Go Birds!

Follow Laurie on Bluesky at @halseanderson.bsky.social, Instagram at halseanderson, and Facebook at lauriehalseanderson, or by visiting her website, madwomanintheforest.com.

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best book ever

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charity worries her chicken pox may keep her from enjoying Nana's delicious Thanksgiving turkey.

The story was just okay, and I was really not fond of Dorothy Donohue's illustrations.

[Storytime Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book for anyone who loves Thanksgiving and getting together with their family on that day. It shows children that just when a holiday can seem ruined for whatever reason, it can take a turn around and become a great holiday!

[Abigail Feldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cracked up when Aunt Imogene said "THE SOAP IS NOT POISON! DON'T FORGET TO SCRUB YOUR FEET" "PLEASE GET DRESSED, FREDDIE-TEDDIE"

I felt like the illustrations did not match the words very well. But I'm all here for Aunt Imogene- she makes this book good. Her nana is so sweet. Parts of the story didn't make a ton of sense but it is still cute enough to earn four stars, in my personal opinion.

I can't wait to read this to the kiddos- and do my Aunt Imogene voice! :D

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gentle story of family and thanksgiving dinner and girl who gets chicken pox.
The story is decent, the pictures are pretty average, but it is a good book, with a satisfying ending and good little joke at the end.
It should be enjoyable to younger readers, although being about thanksgiving it will be mostly for the US market.

[Joanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Absolutely awful. I had to read this book as a read-aloud to a first grade class today when I was in for the library teacher and it was the worst book I’ve ever read; also made me feel super old and dated.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book mostly because I totally relate to. I have missed more than one Thanksgiving because someone was sick in our family and we couldn’t go to grandma’s house for dinner. This year a such a cute story with beautiful illustrations. Loved it!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a great Thanksgiving book! This one is so cute and has a great message about family.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny.

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet quick story about a Thanksgiving gone awry - but there is a happy ending. Little Charity is cuckoo for turkey, but sudden spots put a temporary halt on Thanksgiving festivities.

[Aleece · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charity's favorite holiday is Thanksgiving and her favorite meal is her Nana's turkey but instead of spending Thanksgiving at Nana's she is spending it at home because she came down with chicken pox. I liked the concept of the story because we have all been there at one point or another when we get sick on a holiday and we have to spend it at home instead of with friends and family. However I didn't care for the art work because of the way the characters looked. They weren't shaped properly and just looked funny sometimes. I also didn't care for the ending much. I liked that Nana came to see Charity but I didn't think it was necessary to give the turkey pox also.

[Shaundell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charity is excited about going with her parents, aunt, and cousin to Nana's house for Thanksgiving Dinner. However, on the drive there, it is discovered that Charity has the chicken pox! Nana saves the day by driving across town with the snowplow drivers to bring Thanksgiving dinner to the family. Nana dresses the turkey with dots of cranberries to resemble the chicken pox.

[Literacy Group]

Charity LOVES Thanksgiving, but on Thanksgiving day, she gets a case of chicken pox. Mom and dad decide its best for her to stay home. This will be her first thanksgiving with out Nana or Nana's delicious turkey. Charity is feeling very down and itchy until there's a knock at the door...

Grade 4
Heather

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was alright. We all have those crazy annoying relatives like Aunt Imogene, don't we? Nana comes to the rescue in the end. I thought it was funny how specific to a time period this book is - car phones were a thing, and kids also still got chicken pox. My baby girl will grow up without any clue what either of those things are!

[Joy king · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great kids book

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

love this author, but not this book. as title hints--little girl gets chicken pox at thanksgiving. but all is not ruined. turkey ends up with pox courtesy of grandma.

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its about a girl who gets 'turkey' pox. L.

[Maren Prestegaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might have been a great book back in the day. Unfortunately, kids don't get the pox anymore so it seems dated.

[Sparrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems to be the prequel to "No Time for Mother's Day" since it's about the same family! A cute picture book - I liked what the grandma did at the end. And Aunt Imogene is pretty funny.

[Robin Raines-Bond · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have kids you will appreciate this book. It shows that a holiday can still be wonderful, even if something goes wrong.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story!

[K-BRC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Destined to become a holiday classic. LHA scores another win. She’s such a great writer. Get this for your kids & you’ll enjoy it too.