The Case of the Weird Blue Chicken: The Next Misadventure

Gr 2–4—Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie, otherwise known as the Chicken Squad, are back in another comical backyard adventure. When a little blue bird enters the chicken coop, Sugar and Dirt decide to help the "weird blue chicken" recover her stolen birdhouse. After some rather clumsy investigating, the chicks realize that the house-napper is none other than their brother Poppy. They also discover that in addition to the missing birdhouse, Grumpy Squirrel's acorns have disappeared. With the help of the little bird, the Chicken Squad set out to end the crime spree that has swept the backyard. Cronin creates a humorous story of bumbling detectives who in the end, manage to save the day. Young listeners will enjoy piecing together the clues along with the heroes. Adam Grupper voices J.J. Tully, the retired search-and-rescue dog who keeps an eye on the Chicken Squad, and Michele O. Medlin voices the remaining animals. Both narrators succeed in portraying likable characters who will appeal to beginner readers.