{"product_id":"chicken-girl-isbn-9780143198680","title":"Chicken Girl","description":"\u003cb\u003eEverybody has a story that will break your heart; a poignant coming-of-age YA for fans of David Arnold, from the author of the acclaimed \u003ci\u003eThe Agony of Bun O'Keefe\u003c\/i\u003e, a \u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e Best of the Year selection.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePoppy used to be an optimist. But after a photo of her dressed as Rosie the Riveter is mocked online, she's having trouble seeing the good in the world. As a result, Poppy trades her beloved vintage clothes for a feathered chicken costume and accepts a job as an anonymous sign waver outside a restaurant. There, Poppy meets six-year-old girl Miracle, who helps Poppy see beyond her own pain, opening her eyes to the people around her: Cam, her twin brother, who is adjusting to life as an openly gay teen; Buck, a charming photographer with a cute British accent and a not-so-cute mean-streak; and Lewis a teen caring for an ailing parent, while struggling to reach the final stages of his gender transition.  As the summer unfolds, Poppy stops glorifying the past and starts focusing on the present. But just as she comes to terms with the fact that there is good and bad in everyone, she is tested by a deep betrayal.\u003cb\u003eOn \u003ci\u003eCBC\u003c\/i\u003e’s 29 Canadian Kids Books \u0026amp; YA to Look For in Spring 2019\u003cbr\u003eOn OLA's Forest of Reading Teen Committee Summer 2019 Reading List\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eChicken Girl\u003c\/i\u003e strongly advocates for the possibility of change and the importance of optimism, even as it acknowledges that bad things happen to good people all the time. . . . There is a lot to enjoy and admire here, including a heroine with a good voice, an immersive setting, an excellent cast of characters and deft pacing.\" \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e--CM Magazine\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e“This book is filled with unexpected moments and must not be missed by YA readers and adults lucky enough to discover it.\" \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e--Tulsa Book Review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e“A vibrant, engaging read.” --\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Telegram (St. John’s)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eHEATHER SMITH\u003c\/b\u003e is originally from Newfoundland, and now lives in Waterloo, Ontario, with her husband and three children. Her east coast roots inspire much of her writing. Her previous novel, \u003ci\u003eThe Agony of Bun O'Keefe\u003c\/i\u003e, received a starred review from \u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eQuill \u0026amp; Quire\u003c\/i\u003e and was named a best book by \u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e, Bank Street College of Education\u003ci\u003e, The Globe \u0026amp; Mail\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eQuill \u0026amp; Quire\u003c\/i\u003e (honorable mention), as well as selected as an Outstanding International Book by USBBY (United States Board on Books for Young People).\u003cbr\u003ewww.heathertsmith.comTwitter @Heather_T_SmithI had one leg in the feathery yellow costume my boss called a uniform when Cam stomped into my room like a runway model on crack and thrust his chest out at the end of my bed.\u003cbr\u003e “Pops? Be honest. Do I have”—he paused for effect—“moobs?”\u003cbr\u003e It was a running gag, our use of word blends. He was obviously trying to one-up me after I’d used \u003ci\u003eautomagically\u003c\/i\u003e earlier that day.\u003cbr\u003e “Nice try,” I said. “But if it doesn’t fit organically into a conversation it doesn’t count.”\u003cbr\u003e He looked down at his torso. “If you must know, the development of man boobs are a genuine concern of mine.”\u003cbr\u003e I gave his naturally athletic body a once-over. “Pfssh. Yeah, right.”\u003cbr\u003e I stepped into the other leg of my costume. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’m running late and don’t have time for this meaningless”—I paused for effect—“nonversation.”\u003cbr\u003e He groaned in defeat. “Damn you, Poppy.”\u003cbr\u003e I was almost out the door when he said, “Pops?”\u003cbr\u003e I turned around. “Yeah?”\u003cbr\u003e “I love seeing you happy.”\u003cbr\u003e And just like that, the smile fell from my face.\u003cbr\u003e “What’s wrong, Pops?”\u003cbr\u003e My sweet Cam. Didn’t he know? Happiness was only temporary.\u003cbr\u003e I put on my head. “I’m fine. I’m late, that’s all.”\u003cbr\u003e It was true.\u003cbr\u003e I only had ten minutes before I had to be curbside holding a sign: \u003ci\u003eHot and spicy chicken wings, $8.99 a dozen.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI walked down Churchill Street identifying each house as I passed: Plan 47-17, Plan 47-28, Plan 47-6. I’d been obsessed with wartime houses ever since I’d found the blueprints in the basement when I was ten. Each design was outlined in an affordable housing pamphlet for returning vets. Discovering that I lived in a home built during the war sent my imagination soaring. I became obsessed not only with wartime housing but with the whole era. It made me feel a longing, for what I didn’t know. Simpler times, maybe. I figured everyone was happier in the forties.\u003cbr\u003e I followed the railway tracks into the downtown core. If I kept walking I’d reach the nicer part of downtown and eventually my school, but I stopped smack-dab in the middle of Elgin Street, where the surroundings were rundown and shabby. One building stood out though: Chen Chicken. Its white fairy lights twinkled all year round and the crisp white storefront looked warm and inviting.\u003cbr\u003e I snuck in the back door and grabbed my sign. I was ten minutes late. With any luck Mr. Chen would think I had been there all along.\u003cbr\u003e I walked up and down Elgin doing my usual moves—the hop, the skip, the jump. The sweat rolled off me. It wasn’t the best summer job in the world but it was nice to be someone else for a change. Even if that someone was a bird.","brand":"Penguin Teen Canada","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46301809344741,"sku":"NP9780143198680","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780143198680.jpg?v=1767723632","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/chicken-girl-isbn-9780143198680","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}