Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan

My sons and I recently finished reading Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan by Frances O'Roark Dowell. Everyone in Sam's money has income--both of his parents work and even his sister has a lawn-mowing job that pays 20 bucks a pop! Sam wants a job, too. He is too young to mow lawns (Sam is seven), so he goes on a quest to find a job. After he earns $20 watching his neighbor's chickens, Sam decides he wants to be an expert on chickens. The best way to become an expert at something is to do it, so Sam decides to get a chicken. He also lands a job to help him pay for the chicken.  Along the way, Sam learns a lot more than just how to be a chicken expert.

We really enjoyed this book, and we were able to make a lot of connections to this story because we have chickens as well. Both of my sons especially enjoyed when Sam was blowing the egg out of the shell because they have both done that as well.

This is a funny story with some delightful illustrations. I would recommend this book for anyone, but especially 2nd-3rd graders as a wonderful chapter book. AND there is another Sam book--Sam the Man and the Rutabaga Plan.