Book Review: Let's Get Cracking! (Kung Pow Chicken, #1) by Cyndi Marko

Let's Get Cracking! (Kung Pow Chicken, #1) by Cyndi Marko is a cute transitional chapter book about second grader Gordon Blue who is transformed into Kung Pow Chicken, an avian superhero who fights crime in the city of Fowladelphia. Gordon's birdy senses lead him to a festival. Suddenly, POOF! Feathers fill the air and shivering naked chickens are everywhere. Why have all these chickens lost their feathers? Forced to wear wooly sweaters, the city itches for a hero. Kung Pow Chicken hops into his Beakmobile to save the day!

Let's Get Cracking! is a cute story from Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. It is not quite a graphic novel, but is highly visual  with easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots. Gordon is a normal kid, er chicken, that gets super powers through an accident in his uncle's lab. With his similarly transformed baby brother by his side he faces the fairly normal trials of a second grader (like school and family) as well as figuring out his powers and  how he wants to use them. The story is fun, fast, and will capture the imagination of many a new reader.

I would recommend Let's Get Cracking! for readers that are ready to make the transition to chapter books but need a bit of encouragement (like my son). The story is exciting and a little silly, which will entertain even more advanced readers, but will help newly independent readers continue expanding their vocabulary and reading confidence.

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