Chicken Boy by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Chicken Boy by Frances O'Roark Dowell is about twelve-year-old Tobin McCauley. No one really knows him at his middle school, including his teachers, but because of his last name and the reputations of his brothers and sister, everyone thinks they know exactly who he is. Tobin doesn't really do anything to change their opinions about him until Henry sticks up for him during a fight. Tobin gets suspended for a week, and during that time he gets to know Henry and his younger brother, Harrison. Henry has a philosophy about chickens having souls and ropes Tobin into helping him and his brother with their chicken egg business. This is the one positive thing in Tobin's life, especially when his grandmother decides to file a report on Tobin's dad with social services, stating that Tobin is being neglected. It's been hard on Tobin's whole family ever since his mother died of cancer five years ago. Unfortunately, since he's the youngest, it affects Tobin most. Tobin ends up learning a lot about people, friends, family, life, and chickens by the end of the story!

This was a great book! Initially, I felt so sorry for Tobin. I've never really looked into the life of someone in his position. Despite being angry with his dad for neglecting him and his siblings, by the end I felt sorry for him, too. Losing a wife/mother must be so hard - I can't even imagine.