Sam the Man & the Chicken Plan: Volume 1 - Hardcover

Seven-year-old Sam's search for a job leadshim to chickens and an unexpected friendship.Sam's father does "somethingwith computers," his mother does "something with clients," andhis older sister, Annabelle, mows lawns at "20 bucks a pop." When hisneighbor stops by to ask Annabelle if she'd take care of her chickens whileshe's away for the weekend, Sam persuades Mrs. Kerner that he can do it. Hesoon realizes he needs a steady stream of income and thinks that maybe his ownchicken could help. He arranges with Mrs. Kerner to board his new chicken withhers in exchange for overall chicken care, and he pays his father back forHelga, who lays blue eggs, by taking a job as his elderly neighbor's exercisecompanion. Dowell creates in Sam a completely believable 7-year-old whosedesires "to be an expert on something" and to emulate his familymembers combine organically to drive this story of intergenerational (andinterspecies) friendship. His burgeoning relationship with grumpy Mr. Stockfishis as much a joy to watch as his excitement over Helga's first egg. Thefinancial lessons he learns are valuable ones, delivered painlessly in thetightly focused third-person narration. Bates' soft pencil illustrations depictSam's close-knit family as white, Mr. Stockfish and his daughter as black, andhis classmates as diverse in color. A sweet slice of neighborhood life; here'shoping for more of Sam the Man. (Fiction. 6-9)--Kirkus Reviews "6/1/16 "

Sam wants to have a job, like his mother, father, and big sister. Soon he has two, both involving neighbors. First, he looks after Mrs. Kerner's chickens. Next, he takes elderly Mr. Stockfish for walks. Sam's interest in chickens flourishes after his father helps him buy his own hen, Helga, who lays blue eggs. Soon Sam is taking Mr. Stockfish on walks to visit her, an idea that pays off all around. His neighbor grows stronger, while taking a supportive interest in Sam and Helga. This very accessible chapter book offers a simply told, well-knit story with a multicultural cast of likable characters. The author of Dovey Coe (2000), Chicken Boy (2005), and the Phineas MacGuire series, Dowell portrays seven-year-old Sam with a quiet perception. Many readers will relate to his pride in figuring out for himself how to earn money as well as how he'd like to spend it. Well-structured, shaded pencil drawings illustrate characters and scenes with energy, perception, and gentle humor. This satisfying story sets the stage for the Sam the Man series. -- Carolyn Phelan--Booklist "7/1/16 "

In a warm family story, Dowell introduces Sam Graham, age seven, who wants to earn money like his older sister, Annabelle. He offers to care for a neighbor's chickens while she's away, opening the door for a chicken of Sam's own, as well as a friendship with the somewhat cantankerous Mr. Stockfish, another neighbor. Dowell's story shines in Sam's believable and often-funny interactions with his family, community, and friends. "You really needed to use the whole roll?" Sam's mother asks after he makes a toilet paper nest for his chicken's first egg. "Sam nodded again. Did she really need to ask?" Final art not seen by PW.--Publishers Weekly "August 1, 2016 "

Those looking for that first chapter book that might be the hook for an aspiring reader will want to take a look at this one. Sam is the only member of his family who doesn't have a job. He is on a mission. He convinces a neighbor that he is responsible enough to care for her chickens while she is away even though he is only seven-years-old. As a result, Sam embarks on an entrepreneurial adventure, and many ancillary events occur. This is a story of siblings, family, neighbors, and generations, woven together as Sam learns about money, responsibility, and helping people. Dowell has crafted a story that has kid appeal, humor, and fun with chickens. Teachers will appreciate Sam's initiative and the enriching vocabulary. Amy Bates' pencil illustrations will be a valuable asset to the storyline. Readers, teachers, and school librarians looking for that special, easier chapter book will enjoy this title.--School Library Connection "10/01/16 "

Seven-year-old Sam Graham wants money, but he's too young to have a real job. When neighbor Mrs. Kerner tries to hire Sam's too-busy older sister to take care of her chickens for a few days, Sam rushes to do it. Soon Sam is in business: the chicken business. Once he's made a little money chicken-sitting, he decides to get a chicken of his own, Helga, whom Mrs. Kerner agrees to let live in her coop (for a price, of course). Because Helga lays blue eggs, Sam figures it will be easy to keep them separate from the others; what he doesn't realize is that the blue eggs are also the answer to his money problems. Helga entertains everyone, whether she is laying eggs or just learning how to fit in with the other chickens. Blackand- white illustrations, some humorous, some gentle, accompany each chapter. The short sentences and amusing situations make this a perfect read-aloud or first read-alone for young readers, whether they have a chicken or not.--The Horn Book Magazine "September/October 2016 "

Arriving in his second-grade classroom late after a dental appointment, Sam finds on his desk a rutabaga, his very own vegetable, assigned for a project. Sam soon warms up to "Rudy," particularly after his sister draws a smiling face on him. Warned repeatedly that Rudy has stopped growing, Sam is happy when his rutabaga surprises everyone. Simply written, this early chapter book features well-drawn characters in believable situations. Readers who warmed to Sam, his family, and his neighbors in Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan (2016) will find the second volume in the Sam the Man series just as enjoyable as the first. -- Carolyn Phelan--Booklist online "December 2, 2016 "

Sam the Man wants to earn some money and he’s got a cluck-worthy plan in this endearing chapter book that’s the first in a new series from Frances O’Roark Dowell.

Sam the Man needs a job. Even his sister gets twenty bucks a pop for mowing people’s lawns! But seven-year-olds aren’t allowed to mow lawns, so Sam decides to ask his next door neighbor if she needs help doing other chores. It turns out she’ll pay him a whole dollar each time he can convince her dad, Mr. Stockfish, to join him for a walk. But it turns out that getting Mr. Stockfish to leave the living room isn’t easy. AND a dollar a pop isn’t going to cut it.

So when Mrs. Kerner, another neighbor, asks if Sam would like to watch her chickens, Sam jumps on the task. You can count on him, yes indeed. Watching chickens is more fun than he expects, and comes with an added bonus: it turns out that visiting the chickens is the one thing that can coax Mr. Stockfish out of the house! But what does a seven-year-old do with all the money he’s earning? It’s too little for a bike, and too much for candy. But wait! It’s just enough for a chicken of his own—the kind that lays BLUE eggs! Soon he has a whole waiting list of kids who want to buy a blue egg. And what does Sam plan on doing with his new fortune? Buy Mr. Stockfish his own chicken, of course!