Acclaimed children's author Jacques Couvillon grew up on a Louisiana chicken farm just like the young protagonist in The Chicken Dance. Don Schmidt's birthday is coming fast! He can't wait to find out what kind of surprises his mom and dad are sure to have in store for him. But when Don's special day finally arrives, he is saddened when his weird parents get into another argument. What can Don do to make his mom see that he is a good son?
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"Recommended for gr. 5-9. Enjoyable story about an 11-year-old boy who lives on a chicken farm which his parents inherited from an uncle. The reader suspects that there is hidden secret within his family. His mother is self-centered, and the father distant, in fact, they forget his birthday. Don finds that he has a talent for judging chickens, and competing in the big city gives him an opportunity to discover things within himself, about his family, and the meaning of friendship."
— Kris (5 out of 5 stars)
" At first, I hated this story. The mother was just awful. Then, about half way through, it started to get better. Then I couldn't put it down. But... then I was very disappointed with the ending. So all in all, I didn't like it very much. "
— Julie, 2/16/2014" Read this with my middle school students in mind- actually listened to it on CD. Good for middle schoolers.- lots of life issues- popularity, divorce, family fights, etc. "
— Maryann, 2/3/2014" A fun, lighthearted book about a boy trying to find his sister. It is not in a world of its own intellectually but it is still a good book to read when your not in the most serious mood. "
— Dreamcrusher21, 1/18/2014" I wanted to reach into the pages and hug, Don, the little hero of this book. It's laugh out loud funny and still broke my heart. "
— Daniel, 1/18/2014" Loved all the metaphorical dancing. This cover is better than the ARC. "
— Janet, 1/3/2014" A good, quick read. Interesting walk back to preteen brain. "
— Anne, 12/16/2013" I loved this bizarre book right up until the last two pages. I hated the ending and wonder what kind of mother issues the author has. But overall, an excellent book unlike any other I've ever read. "
— Beth, 11/25/2013" This is my third time reading this book - it's amazing! I can't recommend it more to anyone. "
— Abbey, 11/22/2013" I hate this boy's parents. Seriously. But the story was good. Except I didn't like how the author gave everyone the same initials for their first and last name. That was annoying. But yay for chickens! "
— Arielle, 9/26/2013" This is a hilarious and well-written book, but for some reason I just can't seem to finish it. "
— eva, 9/10/2013" I got this audiobook to listen to with my 7 year old. The story's a bit old for her, but I have continued to listen to it and have fallen in love with the characters. "
— Jessica, 8/21/2013" Such an ODD book, but I loved it, and not just because of the chicken references. What a weird family relationship. "
— Paige, 11/15/2012" Given to me for one of my birthdays, other than that i wouldn't really say that i would pick it up to read. It was however, a charming little story about a small boy who battles with his life upon a chicken farm (hence the title) and the decisions he has to make while there. :) "
— Jess, 8/23/2012" I absolutly loved this book it was the best i ever read i reccomend this book to everyone. It does not have to do anything with dancing chickens. "
— Kali, 5/26/2012" Surprisingly great and cute :) "
— Andrea, 10/15/2011" Interesting Read...I really enjoyed it. Great little twist at the end. Basically a REALLY weird family and a little boy just trying to survive in it! "
— Emily, 9/8/2011" It was interesting for a little while, but then it was hard to keep my intrest in it. I skimmed ahead a lot to find out what happened. I must say though that the ending was very unsatisfying. I had hoped it would end better than it did. "
— ShortShanks, 9/3/2011" an entertaining page-turner with an unlikely premise "
— Linda, 7/31/2011" OMG I really LOVED this book because it was all built up until the end and then you found out the truth. If you are reading this review DEFINITELY READ THIS!! "
— Jessica, 4/29/2011" Maybe I was just in a bad mood when I read this but I didn't get very far in it. It was really sad. When a mother tells her son "I hate your father" and forgets his birthday and tries to make excuses for it and is totaly selfish, it just doesn't make for good reading. "
— Tiffany, 3/12/2011" I loved this bizarre book right up until the last two pages. I hated the ending and wonder what kind of mother issues the author has. But overall, an excellent book unlike any other I've ever read. "
— Beth, 8/9/2010" It was interesting for a little while, but then it was hard to keep my intrest in it. I skimmed ahead a lot to find out what happened. I must say though that the ending was very unsatisfying. I had hoped it would end better than it did. "
— ShortShanks, 7/29/2010" A fun, lighthearted book about a boy trying to find his sister. It is not in a world of its own intellectually but it is still a good book to read when your not in the most serious mood. "
— Dreamcrusher21, 5/24/2010" I only made it about 1/4 through. I would have possibly continued if reading material was scarce, but I wasn't as amused as I should have been by this book. The kid's household was a definite downer and I couldn't stick with it. "
— Shushlibrarian, 2/25/2010" Young adult book about 12 year old Don Schmidt, living in Horse Island, Louisiana and learning to fit in with his peers, judge chickens and deal with his very different parents, who are obsessed with his dead sister, Dawn. [Enjoyed. Entre Nous book. Read 11-10-2009:] <br/> "
— Kitty, 12/11/2009" Kind of a heartbreaking little story about a young man and his family. I was really hoping for a stronger, better ending. Definitely had its funny moments but also those that just made me sad. "
— Amy, 7/19/2009Steven Boyer is a graduate of the Juilliard School and has appeared both on stage and screen.