Cheating for the Chicken Man

A companion novel to Priscilla Cumming's highly acclaimed The Red Kayak and The Journey Back

Thirteen-year-old Kate Tyler must ask herself how far she will go to protect her older brother, J.T., when he returns home after nearly a year in a juvenile detention facility, only to find himself ostracized and bullied as he attempts to make a fresh start.  Kate compromises her own values and risks getting herself into serious trouble as she launches a secret campaign to protect her brother long enough for him to find his place in the family – and in the world – again.

As a follow-up to Red Kayak, Cheating for the Chicken Man brings J.T., Kate, and Brady Parks together again as they struggle with the complicated issues of fairness, friendship, and forgiveness.

* "Kate’s perspective is authentic. Especially for readers who enjoyed Red Kayak, this novel is an engaging choice that offers a different perspective on a tragic event."  —School Library Connection, starred review

"Realistically presenting the situational rather than absolute nature of some difficult choices, this engrossing novel provides lots to ponder and discuss." —Kirkus Reviews