Friday, June 25, 2004

Review 2

Another review from Jeff Needle from the Association of Mormon Letters

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Reviewed by Jeffrey Needle

The subtitle of the book gives you an idea of what's coming -- "A funny
thing happened on the way to growing up." Growing up indeed.

The main character of this amusing story is Matthew Buckley. The
author's name is Matthew Buckley. Hmmmm, you think there's a
connection? Could this be autobiographical? It's never made quite
clear that the events described in this book actually happened to
Buckley. Frankly, I hope they did. The story's just too good to be
made up. (The author's note indicates that Matthew the author grew up
with eleven siblings, including one girl, different from the Matthew
character in the book.)

Matthew is one of seven boys in the Buckley family. They live in Utah
on what ought to be a farm, but isn't. Growing vegetables isn't a
talent any of them seems to have. Mom and Dad are good parents, but
they have their hands full with this bunch of rowdies. Every day seems
to be filled with feeding, changing, washing, and conflict resolution.
Mom's a real champ.
Dad, on the other hand, comes across as a rather nerdy type -- he's a
scientist with NASA, has a plastic pocket protector and everything else
that just shouts "square." He tells jokes that no one laughs at but
himself. But he's a loving father, and a good provider for his family.

One summer Dad makes a grand announcement -- the children have been
wanting actual animals to care for, other than their old dog. Dad
decides to erect a coop of sorts and obtains several dozen chickens and
two goats. And so the nightmare begins.

Ever try telling a goat to do something it didn't want to do? Ever try
reaching under a chicken to get its eggs? And have you ever chased a
chicken around the yard until you could catch it and return it to its
coop?
If so, then you'll identify with the travails of these brothers.

The children, and indeed the parents, learn there's more to keeping up
with livestock than they had originally thought. In chapter after
chapter, the interaction among the kids, and between the kids and the
animals, is just hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud!

Having grown up in New York City, I had no basis for identifying with
these kids. But I did grow up with two brothers, and I know how
difficult it was for our parents to keep us under control. I simply
can't imagine what it would be like to raise seven boys!

Some of the comments from the boys seem a bit bizarre -- they appear to
be inordinately interested in things adults find, well, yucky. From
what I can learn from my neighbors, this is very realistic.

From the outset, Buckley carries the story very well, taking us through
the last days of the school year, summer vacation and the annual visit
to grandma's house in California (another hilarious episode), and
finally the adoption of the chickens and the mules. And sprinkled
throughout are bits of folksy wisdom, all leading to a marvelous
conclusion.

This is great summer reading, something that can be shared with the
kids.
What a wonderful read. This is light, easy reading, intended mainly to
amuse, and secondarily to instruct. I really enjoyed this book, and
hope that Buckley will continue writing.


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Jeff Needle
Association for Mormon Letters
jeff.needle@general-net.com
jeff.needle@hotpop.com

Sunday, June 20, 2004

Reviews

As I hear about reviews of my book, I will post them here.

Chickens in the Headlights

T. Lynn Adams - Author

I got hold of Matthew Buckley's first book, "Chickens in the Headlights." I decided to see if the kids would listen while I read a bit to them at dinner one night. Since then I've eaten a cold dinner every night! Tonight the younger ones actually started chanting 'Chickens, Chickens, Chickens' at the dinner table until I got it out and began reading it!"

Jeff Needles - Association for Mormon Letters

"This is great summer reading, something that can be shared with the kids. What a wonderful read. This is light, easy reading, intended mainly to amuse, and secondarily to instruct. I really enjoyed this book, and hope that Buckley will continue writing."

Dayna Davis - LDS Files

This book was hilarious!! I mean, it was laugh out loud funny... There is nothing quite like giggling over a book."

Jennie Hansen - Meridian Magazine

"It would be easy to assume that Buckley’s book is childish because it is written from the viewpoint of an eight-year-old and it focuses on seven young boys, but Chickens in the Headlights is neither childish nor naive. Rather, it is that rare book that crosses lines to be enjoyed by the whole family. It is the kind of book that can be read aloud at the dinner table or listened to on a long car trip without boring some family members or passing over the heads of others. This book isn’t preachy, though it espouses a number of admirable traits. What it is, is funny."

Bullies in the Headlights

LDS Review

"How could someone possible write a book that elementary school kids and adults are going to enjoy together? I thought that was a right saved for “Harry Potter” only. It turns out that author Matthew Buckley was right - it is a great book for the whole family!"

Jennie Hansen - Meridian Magazine

"Those who laughed uproariously over Chickens in the Headlights won’t be disappointed in this one. It’s more of the same outrageous family humor."