The Trouble with Chickens: A J.J. Tully Mystery



Last updated Friday, January 27, 2023

Author: Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Kevin Cornell
Date of Publication: 2011
ISBN: 0061215325
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jan. 2023

Synopsis: J.J. Tully is a former search-and-rescue dog who is trying to enjoy his retirement after years of performing daring missions saving lives. So he's not terribly impressed when two chicks named Dirt and Sugar (who look like popcorn on legs) and their chicken mom show up demanding his help to find their missing siblings. Driven by the promise of a cheeseburger, J.J. begins to track down clues. Is Vince the Funnel hiding something? Are there dark forces at work - or is J.J. not smelling the evidence that's right in front of him?

Note to readers:
•  You may want to plan to read Chapters 1-3 only, and discussion topics and vocabulary are provided for these three only.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Do any of you have a pet? What is the name of your pet?
•  What do you think it mean to search and rescue something?
•  Have you read a mystery before? What do you think a mystery can be?
•  What do you think the trouble with chickens could be?

Vocabulary:

•  PROBLEM - a question, puzzle, or statement that is to be discussed or solved.
•  SEARCH—- to look through very carefully in order to find something.
•  RESCUE— to free or save.
•  MYSTERY—- a matter that is secret or that cannot be known or explained.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What do you think, looking at the cover, that the dog and chickens are going to do?
•  What was on the chicken's head when the dog saw her for the first time?
•  What was the dog’s name? Why did chickens make the dog nervous?
•  What did JJ Tully spend seven years doing?
•  Who are Dirt and Sugar?
•  What did Moose learn that JJ Tully was good at? What problem did Moose have?

Craft ideas:
•  Chick Corner Bookmark - See http://www.easypeasyandfun.com/chick-corner-bookmark/
What you need yellow origami paper (you can use regular yellow paper too), orange and white paper, glue, scissors, black marker
Start by folding the yellow origami paper diagonally both ways. Fold into triangle (coloured side on the outside). Crease. Fold the tip of the triangle to the bottom (one side only). Fold the left corner of the triangle to the middle. Do the same with the right one. Crease and unfold. Fold the right corner to the top, do the same with the left one. Crease. Tuck both “flaps” in the pocket. Cut two wings from the yellow paper, beak from orange, two white circles  for eye s(draw a black dot in each) and pop them all on the chick. All done!
•  Chick Pencil Topper This ones a little more challenging. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE83_WzUXFo
What you need Orange pipe cleaners (2) , yellow pipe cleaner (1) and googly eyes (2).
1. Cut your orange pipe cleaner in half. Place the pencil in the middle of an orange pipe cleaner, wrap it around a couple of times (this should be about 1-1½ inches down the pencil). 2. Make two loops with the two loose ends (this will be the chick's feet). 3. Wrap your other half of orange pipe cleaner closer to the top, and with a loose end, make a triangle-shaped beak. 4. Wrap a yellow pipe cleaner up and around the pencil, working around to cover all the orange pipe cleaner. Start at the bottom, underneath the chick's feet, wrap between the feet and all the way up to the top of the eraser. Glue on your google eyes and you're done!

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!