Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer

Illustrations show Sophie arguing with Chris, Sophie and Chris riding bikes, Sophie and Chris watching Ms. Griegson’s passing truck, and Chris riding away, leaving Sophie behind.

Sophie writes to Agnes. Sophie met up with Chris, but when she tried to bring her chicken kennel, Chris almost backed out. He would show Sophie where the chickens are, but he wouldn’t risk getting in trouble helping her steal them, as the whole neighborhood would know. Chris and Sophie biked through the rural roads. They spotted a hawk circling in the sky.

Chris suddenly rode into a ditch and hid behind some bushes. Sophie followed, and they watched as Ms. Griegson’s truck passed, heading home. Chris got nervous and refused to go further. Sophie was mad, but she understood. As Sophie approached the property, Ms. Griegson’s truck started up and drove off.

Sophie discovered that Ms. Griegson had all of Sophie’s chickens in the coop. She’d stolen them while Sophie was riding through the neighborhood with Chris. Sophie wasn’t sure how to get the hens home safely. She let them out and used sunflower seeds to lure them away from the property. They took shelter from a hawk in a nearby barn. Feeling hopeless, Sophie began to cry, but then she noticed a sign for Redwood Farm in the barn and realized where she was. Sophie felt like she messed up badly, with no way to get her chickens home safely.

When Sophie looked around Redwood Farm, she realized how abandoned it was. Gregory drove up to deliver the mail and Sophie asked if this is where he delivered the letters. He confirmed it was, but he couldn’t say why Agnes stopped writing back.

Gregory offered to tote Sophie’s chickens to the poultry show for her if she could bike there. He couldn’t take them home without messing up his route. Sophie could still bring her chickens to the show-and-tell portion, which doesn’t require registration. Gregory also told Sophie that the best way to ensure that her chickens are protected from thieves is by making them known to people as her chickens—the poultry show would be a great way to do this.

Sophie and Gregory got the chickens set up at the poultry show in their own wire cage. Sophie ends the letter asking if Agnes moved, and if so, why Gregory doesn’t forward her mail.

Illustrations show all of Sophie’s hens in a coop together, then Sophie and the hens running for shelter.

Sophie writes to Agnes about the poultry show. Many of the kids there were showing their chickens in the show-and-tell portion. Sophie found Chris and told him that her chickens were safe now. Chris showed Sophie his fancy new chicks. Sophie still feels bad about what happened to Buffy’s chicks, but Chris seemed very proud of his new ones. Ms. Griegson and Ms. O’Malley led the group in presentations. Sophie caught Ms. Griegson staring at Sophie’s chickens, but she didn’t say anything.

Sophie was terrified to talk in front of people, but with Ms. Griegson camped out next to her chickens, Sophie volunteered to present. Sophie introduced herself and her chickens. She explained how she inherited them from her Great-Uncle Jim. Her parents and Gregory watched. Sophie announced that someone has been trying to steal her chickens, so she needs the community to help her look after them. Everyone seemed to know that Sophie was referring to Ms. Griegson. The town was on Sophie’s side and promised to help her look after the chickens. Cornered, Ms. Griegson agreed that a chicken thief would be terrible for the community and walked away from Sophie’s cage.

Sophie met the other kids and townsfolks, including the llama girl and a local reporter who promised to publish a photo of Sophie and her chickens so that everyone would know that they’re hers. Ms. O’Malley introduced Sophie to everyone as the heir to Jim Brown’s chickens. Mom and Dad also made friends. Gregory mentioned leading separate 4-H club meetings for kids who couldn’t make it to the regular ones.

Sophie isn’t sure if Agnes is alive. She doesn’t expect any more lessons in the mail, but she promises to continue reading about chicken care. Sophie wonders why the Speckled Sussex chickens keep following her up to the barn loft.

Illustrations show the poultry show, Sophie with Chris and his chicks, Sophie presenting her chickens, and the crowd staring down Ms. Griegson. The final illustration depicts the newspaper article featuring Sophie and her chickens.

An illustration shows the three Speckled Sussex hens pecking at the typewriter.

Sophie writes to Agnes. She figured out that the Speckled Sussex chickens were after the typewriter. She loaded paper in, demonstrated the keys, and left them to it. When she returned, she had a letter from Agnes. She thanks Agnes for getting back to her.

A poorly typed letter from Agnes explains that Agnes is a ghost. She doesn’t remember much between her death and finding Sophie’s first letter. She had to train the Speckled Sussex chickens to type for her, as they can see ghosts.

Sue Griegson used to work for Redwood Farm Supply, but she made bad decisions. Agnes is impressed by how well Sophie has taken to keeping unusual chickens. Agnes asks for a new sheet of paper in the typewriter so that she can write a few more letters to make Sophie’s life easier. Agnes feels that she’s fading as she completes her business, and she won’t be around much longer. She tells Sophie that Jim is proud of her. She also tells Sophie where to find some supplies and the remainder of the chicken lessons.

Another letter from Agnes declares that the remainder of her farm business should be given to Sophie, to be held by her parents until Sophie is an adult and can take over.

Sophie writes to Agnes one final time. Sophie sent Agnes’s letter to the right people, and several days later she received a packet declaring Sophie as the rightful heir to Agnes’s estate. Gregory has promised to show Sophie around Redwood Farm. Sophie is thankful that he never told her that Agnes was dead, as they both understand that things can be more mysterious than that. Sophie thanks Agnes for everything. She promises to continue to learn about chickens. Sophie also asks that if Agnes encounters Abuelita, she tells Abuelita that Sophie loves her and is doing fine.

An illustration shows Mom reading over the information about Sophie’s inherited farm. Another illustration depicts the family’s new to-do lists. Sophie’s to-do list includes farm chores, touring Redwood Farm, and spending time with her new friends. Dad’s to-do list includes learning more about the farm equipment, growing, and maintaining a farm. Mom’s to-do list includes a list of farm- and chicken-themed articles, as well as making time to work on her personal writing and meet with friends.

Another illustration shows Sophie covered in dirt standing next to the refrigerator, which is covered in to-do lists, pictures, and the clipping of Sophie’s news article.

A letter to Sophie from someone named Hortensia James acknowledges Sophie as the heir to Agnes’s chickens. She wants to know where to send the rest of the chickens, which Hortensia has been holding for Agnes. She warns Sophie to keep these chickens separate from the others—specifically from Betty’s chickens. Sophie will hear from Betty soon. Hortensia wishes Sophie the best of luck.

An illustration depicts Sophie surrounded by her chickens, reading the letter from Hortensia and looking surprised at a crate addressed to her.