Bertie has a list of all the reasons staying on his uncle’s farm while his mum is away, is a bad idea.
- It stinks!
- It’s in the country with absolutely nothing to do.
- None of his friends will be there.
- And last but not least, Uncle Brian is weird…
Mum has to admit that last bit might be true, but there is no way she is changing her mind. Bertie is quickly left behind facing Uncle Brian who is waiting to shake his hand. Which is covered in cow poo. Not going to happen, thinks Bertie.
Thankfully Uncle Brian laughs it off and returns to his work on the farm. Which is when a chicken flies into Bertie’s face. He can’t believe it. Cow poo hands and now attacking chickens! His screams are ignored, and so no-one else hears the chicken when it speaks to Bertie.
This is no ordinary chicken. He is a Nurgle from a far away planet, and if Bertie doesn’t help him in his mission on Earth, his superiors will blast Earth from the sky! Bertie can’t believe it. He alone is responsible for the entire Earth’s survival?
Reluctantly, he steps up to the challenge, and in the process he makes a friend, gets to know his uncle, sorts out some secret stuff he’s been dealing with and meets many more Nurgles.
Saving Earth is just a bonus.
With such a random title, I wondered what I would discover as I read this book. Bertie and the Alien Chicken is hilarious, sweet, touching and thought provoking too as main character city kid Bertie and an alien disguised as a chicken learn about what is most important in life on Earth.
The internet tells them data is the most valuable resource, but as Bertie and Nugget the Nurgle get to know each other, they learn why this can be true and untrue at the same time. This is an engaging story about many things that are hugely important to humans but cannot be packaged up and sent somewhere else – much to an alien’s confusion.
A funny quick read, perfect for reluctant or dyslexic readers, with illustrations throughout the story depicting the action on Long Bottom Farm.
Author – Jenny Pearson
Illustrator – Aleski Bitskoff
Reluctant Reader/ Dyslexic Read
Reading Age – 8 / Interest Age 9+
Read the 1st Chapter here
Find more Book Reviews for Dyslexic/Reluctant Readers here
(2023, Dyslexia, Dyslexic, Reluctant Reader, Quick Read, Chickens, Cows, Animals, Humour, Family, Secret, Sci Fi, Friendship, Farmer, Data Usage, Control, Fears, Dreams, Happiness, Happy, Loneliness, Mission, Alien, Funny, Earth’s Annihilation)