Chicken Girl

By: Heather Smith

Narrated by: Samantha Weinstein

Everybody 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 The Agony of Bun O'Keefe, a Kirkus Best of the Year selection.

Poppy 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.

Critic reviews

On CBC’s 29 Canadian Kids Books & YA to Look For in Spring 2019
On OLA's Forest of Reading Teen Committee Summer 2019 Reading List

"Chicken Girl 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." --CM Magazine

“This book is filled with unexpected moments and must not be missed by YA readers and adults lucky enough to discover it." --Tulsa Book Review

“A vibrant, engaging read.” --The Telegram (St. John’s)