The world is close to perfect for Mei with her pet chickens safely home and her older brother Guo redeveloping the farm with sheep, ducks and small crops, but then her mother decides to remarry and Mei’s world crumbles.
The one-eyed butcher hangs his carcasses in Mei’s favourite hideout and the two families’ roosters don’t get along. Mei has to share a room with a step-brother who snores and Guo leaves home to study at University. It’s all too much for Mei. She decides to run away, taking her chooks with her.
How can a small girl find her brother in a far away city when the stationmaster won’t even sell her a train ticket? There is danger and adventure and a new friend to be found along the way, but what about the chickens? Can they manage to save the day or will they end up in someone’s soup?
Mei’s easy-read voice carried me to the world of rural and suburban China in some not so long ago time and swept me up in the action. Although deeper feelings bubble under the surface, book two is a fun, action adventure with problems to be solved along the way. Little and Lo in the City is a delightful follow on tale to Mei’s Secret Pets (KBR review here).
Title: Little and Lo in the City (Chook Chook #2)
Author: Wai Chim
Publisher: UQP, $14.95 RRP
Publication Date: 26 June 2013
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780702249754
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Fiction