Four chicken siblings go to visit their many, many cousins on a farm and are shocked when their jellybeans are stolen right from under their beaks! Who could have committed should a heinous crime?

This book has a prologue and epilogue told from the family dog's point of view, although I'm not quite sure why. The introduction briefly tells you at least the names of the four main characters, but it doesn't give a whole lot more than that. I'm not sure if reading the previous titles in this series would have helped with getting the characters straight, but I honestly didn't care that much to keep track of them. The story didn't seem to warrant it.

There is a short mystery with some suspects, red herrings, etc. There are also a couple of scientific facts and mathematical principles tucked inside the story, so children will be learning something while reading this without feeling like it's too much "work."

The writing and vocabulary is relatively basic and the short chapters with black-and-white illustrations will appeal to those kids who are transitioning from early readers but not quite ready to tackle longer chapter books yet. ( )

The Chicken Squad is back and going to a family reunion with JJ and Barbara. As they meet the relatives on the farm, a big mysterious chicken shows up but is not in the greeting line. Poppy's shoe goes missing so how will she sleep? Does the mystery chicken have something to do with the missing shoe? Why has no one told Sugar about all the jelly beans hiding places?

The Chicken Squad is as dysfunctional as ever. Now they are under the watchful scrutiny of their extended family. It is a good thing Dirt is there to control Sugar or their detecting would get them in a whole lot of trouble. I love these chickens. JJ's narrative is great. I always feel I'm in a 1940's gumshoe novel. It's great.

I look forward to more in this series. I never fail to laugh at their antics ( )