The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure

Doreen Cronin's "The Chicken Squad" introduces young readers to four plucky chicks, Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie, who are more interested in solving mysteries than pecking feed. In their debut adventure, a frantic squirrel brings them a case about a strange, round, shiny, green object in the backyard. The chicks must use their wits, teamwork, and even their knowledge of shapes to figure out if it's a UFO or something else entirely. This humorous chapter book is perfect for early elementary readers, blending mystery with themes of bravery, friendship, and problem-solving.

They're darling. They're daring. They know their shapes! They're chicks on a mission, and on this, their first (mis)adventure, the Chicken Squad launches a galactic backyard expedition. Meet the Chicken Squad: Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie. These chicks are not your typical barnyard puffs of fluff, and they are not about to spend their days pecking chicken feed and chasing bugs. No sir, they're too busy solving mysteries and fighting crime. So when Squirrel comes barreling into the chicken coop, the chicks know they're about to get a case. But with his poor knowledge of shapes ("Big" is not a shape, Squirrel!) and utter fear of whatever it is that's out there, the panicky Squirrel is NO HELP. Good thing these chicks are professionals. But even professionals get worried. Especially once they see that round, shiny, green, BIG thing in the yard. What if it's a UFO full of aliens who want chickens as pets? It's up to the Chicken Squad to crack a case that just might be out of this world.