They might be chicks, but they sure arent chicken, and theyre on a mission. And on this, their first (mis)adventure in this delightful spinoff of the J.J. Tully series (Kirkus Reviews), the Chicken Squad launches a galactic backyard expedition.

Meet the Chicken Squad: Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie. These chicks are not your typical barnyard puffs of fluff, and they are not about to spend their days pecking chicken feed and chasing bugs. No sir, theyre too busy solving mysteries and fighting crime.

So when Squirrel comes barreling into the chicken coop, the chicks know theyre about to get a case. But with his poor knowledge of shapes (Big is not a shape, Squirrel!) and utter fear of whatever it is thats out there, the panicky Squirrel is NO HELP. Good thing these chicks are professionals.

But even professionals get worried. Especially once they see that round, shiny, green, BIG thing in the yard. What if its a UFO full of aliens who want chickens as pets, or worse, dinner? Its up to the Chicken Squad to crack a case that just might be out of this world.