Let's get cracking!
(Book)

Book Cover
Average Rating
Series
Published
New York : Branches/Scholastic Inc., [2014].
Status
Central - Kids Fiction
JF MARKO
1 available
Aurora Hills - Kids Fiction
JF MARKO
2 available
Cherrydale - Kids Fiction
JF MARKO
1 available

Copies

LocationCall NumberStatusDue Date
Central - Kids FictionJF MARKOAvailable
Central - Kids FictionJF MARKOChecked OutJune 20, 2025
Aurora Hills - Kids FictionJF MARKOAvailable
Aurora Hills - Kids FictionJF MARKOAvailable
Cherrydale - Kids FictionJF MARKOAvailable
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Description

Kung Pow Chicken is the superhero everyone has been waiting for!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!In this exciting full-color series, Gordon Blue transforms into Kung Pow Chicken, an avian superhero who fights crime in the city of Fowladelphia. The first book in the series kicks off when Gordon's birdy senses lead him to a festival. Suddenly, POOF! Feathers fill the air and shivering naked chickens are everywhere. Why have all these chickens lost their feathers? Forced to wear wooly sweaters, the city itches for a hero. Kung Pow Chicken hops into his Beakmobile to save the day!

More Details

Format
Book
Physical Desc
72 pages : color ; 21 cm.
Language
English
ISBN
9780545610629

Notes

Description
Gordon Blue and his brother Benny, unlikely superheroes, must save Fowladelphia from Granny Goosebumps, who has filled the city with cookies that cause innocent chickens' feathers to fall off.

Discover More

Also in this Series

  • Let's get cracking! (Kung Pow Chicken Volume 1) Cover
  • Kung POW Chicken #2: BOK! BOK! Boom! (a Branches Book) - Library Edition (Kung Pow Chicken Volume 2) Cover
  • The birdy snatchers (Kung Pow Chicken Volume 3) Cover
  • Heroes on the side (Kung Pow Chicken Volume 4) Cover

Author Notes

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Spunky, resourceful characters, fast-paced, action-packed stories, and humorous adventures are central to these beginning chapter book series. While Kung Pow Chicken has full color illustrations and more pictures per page, both series offer plenty of laughs and humorous situations. -- Sarah Bean Thompson
Avian heroes fight against fowl play in these fast-paced, funny highly illustrated chapter book series. New chapter book readers who enjoy a laugh should check out these crime-fighting feathered friends. -- NoveList Contributor
These series have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books"; and the subjects "superheroes," "chickens," and "rescues."
These series have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books."
These series have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books"; and the subjects "rescues" and "chases."
These series have the appeal factors funny, action-packed, and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books"; and the subjects "chickens," "rescues," and "pigs."
These series have the appeal factors funny, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books."
These series have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books"; and the subjects "chickens," "rescues," and "chicks."
These series have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genre "early chapter books"; and the subjects "chickens," "cookies," and "cake."

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genre "humorous stories"; and the subjects "superheroes" and "villains."
These books have the appeal factors funny, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books"; and the subject "misadventures."
These books have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books."
These books have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books"; and the subjects "superheroes" and "chickens."
These books have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genre "early chapter books."
These books have the appeal factors funny, upbeat, and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books"; and the subject "cookies."
NoveList recommends "Ella and Owen" for fans of "Kung Pow Chicken". Check out the first book in the series.
These books have the appeal factors funny and amusing.
We recommend Real Pigeons Fight Crime for readers who like Let's Get Cracking!. Both are funny and attention-grabbing avian adventures. -- Rebecca Honeycutt
These books have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books"; and the subject "misadventures."
These books have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books."
These books have the appeal factors funny, amusing, and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "early chapter books" and "easy readers."

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These authors' works have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "picture books for children."
These authors' works have the appeal factors wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books"; and the subjects "superheroes," "rescues," and "women villains."
These authors' works have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "humorous comics"; and the subjects "chickens" and "pigs."
These authors' works have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "early chapter books."
These authors' works have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genre "humorous stories"; and the subjects "chickens" and "farm animals."
These authors' works have the appeal factors funny, action-packed, and amusing, and they have the genres "humorous comics" and "comics and graphic novels"; the subject "rescues"; and illustrations that are "bold illustrations."
These authors' works have the appeal factors funny, offbeat, and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "humorous comics"; and the subject "monsters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors funny, amusing, and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "picture books for children."
These authors' works have the appeal factors funny and wordplay-filled, and they have the genre "humorous stories"; and the subjects "superheroes," "women villains," and "villains."
These authors' works have the appeal factors funny, whimsical, and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "early chapter books" and "humorous comics"; and the subject "monsters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors funny, upbeat, and amusing, and they have the genres "humorous comics" and "comics and graphic novels"; and the subjects "superheroes," "cookies," and "villains."
These authors' works have the appeal factors funny, offbeat, and wordplay-filled, and they have the genres "humorous stories" and "humorous comics"; and the subjects "monsters" and "mythical creatures."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

Step aside, Captain Underpants! There is a new hero in town this time, with feathers. Gordon Blue may look like an ordinary chicken and attend ordinary second grade, but he hides a secret: he and his sidekick, Benny, fell into Uncle Quack's toxic sludge and became superheroes. He promises to use his powers to be super nice, super good, and super tidy. His chance to save the day arrives at the Fowl Fall Festival, when chickens begin mysteriously shedding their feathers and must buy itchy wool sweaters from Granny Goosebumps. He engages the grumpy granny, but she quickly traps him with her naughty knitting needles and a cry of, Eat yarn, dearie! Humiliated, he retreats to his bed. Will he overcome his superhero identity crisis and defeat the nefarious knitter? Will his leotard ever stop giving him wedgies? Fresh, funny, and packed with full-color illustrations, this new transitional series will be an instant hit with readers looking for silly fun and a touch of mystery.--Harold, Suzanne Copyright 2014 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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School Library Journal Review

Gr 1-3-Gordon Blue and his younger egg brother, Benedict, gain superpowers after taking an accidental dive into giant vat of toxic sludge while visiting Uncle Quack's laboratory. Gordon, aka Kung Pow Chicken, and Benedict get an opportunity to put their powers to the test. A crowd of chickens at the Fowl Fall Festival is suddenly featherless, and glowing cookies found near the scene are suspected to be linked to the crime. Granny Goosebumps, selling sweaters to the featherless victims, is scheming for a way to raise enough money to move to Florida, but Kung Pow Chicken and his faithful sidekick, Egg Drop, step in to save the day. The story is heavily illustrated and the cartoon style pairs nicely with the story's overall feel. Dialogue appears in speech bubbles, and the frequent poultry plays on words are sure to elicit giggles from young readers. This first offering in a series will have broad appeal among independent readers who have outgrown easy readers but are not yet ready for books relying more on text than illustration.-Matthew C. Winner, Ducketts Lane Elementary School, Elkridge, MD (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Horn Book Review

Second-grade chick Gordon Blue and his younger (not-yet-fully-hatched) brother Benny are accidentally dipped into a vat of toxic sludge that transforms them into superheroes. In these openers, the pair must save Fowladelphia from two different villains. Jam-packed with poultry puns, this transitional series uses language appropriately challenging for emerging readers while retaining a comfort level with a hybrid of traditional and comic full-color illustrations. [Review covers these Kung Pow Chicken titles: Bok! Bok! Boom! and Let's Get Cracking!.] (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Kirkus Book Review

Can Kung Pow Chicken and Egg Drop beat the bad guys and be home in time for dinner? Second-grade chicken Gordon Blue and his still partially egg-bound little brother Benedict are mild-mannered chicks until they fall into a vat of toxic sludge in their uncle Quack's lab. Suddenly, Gordon has birdy sense that tingles when danger is near. He can flap superfast, and his clucks are louder than any chicken's ("His bok [is] worse than his bite"). He promises to use his powers only for good (and to keep his room tidy). Since he's never met a bad guy, he has to do normal chicken thingsuntil everyone starts losing their feathers at the Fowl Fall Festival in Fowladelphia. Could it be Granny Goosebumps' yucky glowing cookies? She's making money wing over fist selling itchy sweaters to all the naked chickens. Soon Kung Pow Chicken is "locked in a battle of knits" with the nefarious Granny and her knitting needles. When she escapes, can Kung Pow Chicken overcome his self-doubt and save the City of Featherly Love? First of four to be released over the course of the next year and part of Scholastic's Branches line of heavily illustrated easy chapter books, Marko's debut is a perfectly puntastic page-turner. Hybrids of comics and traditional pictures, the goofy all-color illustrations propel the fast-moving, high-interest story. "Ham and eggs!"--you don't want to miss this! (Graphic/fiction hybrid. 5-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

Step aside, Captain Underpants! There is a new hero in town—this time, with feathers. Gordon Blue may look like an ordinary chicken and attend ordinary second grade, but he hides a secret: he and his sidekick, Benny, fell into Uncle Quack's toxic sludge and became superheroes. He promises to use his powers to be super nice, super good, and super tidy. His chance to save the day arrives at the Fowl Fall Festival, when chickens begin mysteriously shedding their feathers and must buy itchy wool sweaters from Granny Goosebumps. He engages the "grumpy granny," but she quickly traps him with her naughty knitting needles and a cry of, "Eat yarn, dearie!" Humiliated, he retreats to his bed. Will he overcome his superhero identity crisis and defeat the nefarious knitter? Will his leotard ever stop giving him wedgies? Fresh, funny, and packed with full-color illustrations, this new transitional series will be an instant hit with readers looking for silly fun and a touch of mystery. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

Newcomer Marko dives headlong into superhero comedy in this hilarious kickoff to the Kung Pow Chicken series (part of the publisher's Branches line), named for the alter ego of second-grader Gordon Blue, a rotund chicken. Freewheeling full-page illustrations and sequential panels push the book into graphic novel territory and assume much of the storytelling duty. After Gordon and his younger brother, Benedict, accidentally fall into a vat of toxic sludge at their scientist uncle's lab ("Maybe we won't tell your mom about this..." quips Uncle Quack), superpowers manifest in both birds. Their "birdy senses" tingle when danger is near, and it certainly appears to be present at the Fowl Fall Festival when the chickens in attendance suddenly (and explosively) begin to lose their feathers. Puns, one-liners, and goofy superpowered action are in abundant supply over the story's eight chapters—along with plenty of "kapows," "zoings," and villainous laughter—as Kung Pow Chicken and his sidekick Egg Drop investigate. Just the thing for beginning readers eying the Captain Underpants shelf. Ages 5–7. Agent: Adriann Ranta, Wolf Literary Services. (Jan.)

[Page ]. Copyright 2013 PWxyz LLC

Copyright 2013 PWxyz LLC
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School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 1–3—Gordon Blue and his younger egg brother, Benedict, gain superpowers after taking an accidental dive into giant vat of toxic sludge while visiting Uncle Quack's laboratory. Gordon, aka Kung Pow Chicken, and Benedict get an opportunity to put their powers to the test. A crowd of chickens at the Fowl Fall Festival is suddenly featherless, and glowing cookies found near the scene are suspected to be linked to the crime. Granny Goosebumps, selling sweaters to the featherless victims, is scheming for a way to raise enough money to move to Florida, but Kung Pow Chicken and his faithful sidekick, Egg Drop, step in to save the day. The story is heavily illustrated and the cartoon style pairs nicely with the story's overall feel. Dialogue appears in speech bubbles, and the frequent poultry plays on words are sure to elicit giggles from young readers. This first offering in a series will have broad appeal among independent readers who have outgrown easy readers but are not yet ready for books relying more on text than illustration.—Matthew C. Winner, Ducketts Lane Elementary School, Elkridge, MD

[Page 120]. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Citations

APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)

Marko, C. (2014). Let's get cracking! . Branches/Scholastic Inc..

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Marko, Cyndi. 2014. Let's Get Cracking!. New York: Branches/Scholastic Inc.

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Marko, Cyndi. Let's Get Cracking! New York: Branches/Scholastic Inc, 2014.

Harvard Citation (style guide)

Marko, C. (2014). Let's get cracking! New York: Branches/Scholastic Inc.

MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)

Marko, Cyndi. Let's Get Cracking! Branches/Scholastic Inc., 2014.

Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.

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