Module 1: The Plot Chickens

Book Summary

Henrietta is a chicken who loves to read books. She convinces the librarian to check out books to her even though she is a chicken, and she reads every day to the other chickens on her farm. She decides that if reading is good, writing must be better and checks out a book on writing. As she reads the writing rules, she and the other chickens begin to develop a story. They go through the plot, character development, problem/solution, building suspense, and using sensory language. When all the publishers reject her book, she self-publishes. The reviews are terrible and Henrietta starts to doubt her writing ability. But in the end, the children of the library vote her book the best book of the year, and Henrietta proudly reads her book to the children (Buk, buk!)

APA Reference of Book

Auch, M. J., & Auch, H. (2009). The plot chickens. New York, NY: Holiday House.

Impressions

The Plot Chickens is written in a comic style, with some words written as a chicken would pronounce them, and with lots of puns. The characters are believable and easy to identify with, making the reader get behind Henrietta's determination to write a story when no one else believes that a chicken can write. In the end, Henrietta and the chickens succeed, but humor returns when she tries to read during author's night at the library and all that comes out is chicken clucks. The book clearly explains and illustrates through Henrietta's action the elements of literature needed by young students to both analyze a reading selection and compose their own. The illustrations are full of action and humor and help to make the story and concepts visible for young minds.

Professional Review

The illustrations, a combination of oil paints and digital technology, are bold and colorful. The pictures are busy, with Henrietta at her typewriter while her friends cavort around her. There are imagined scenes in cloud shapes, word balloons, and jokes aplenty. A droll chicken with a repeating line adds to the humor. This offering works on two levels. It's a funny picture book that could be used as a manual on writing. 

Bates, I. (2009, March) The plot chickens. [Review of the book The plot chickens, by M.    
       J. and H. Auch]. School Library Journal, 55(3), 105-106. Retrieved from www.slj.com

Library Uses

This book could be used in the library during story time as a good lesson for young readers in confidence and hard work. For older students, it could be used in the library to supplement classroom writing instruction and get the kids talking about the writing process and elements.