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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
I loved this book. I want to read it with my students, my daughter, my family. It’s about home, change, adventure, and migration. It’s full of heart, humor, and interesting facts about the world.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I liked this glimpse into the view of a little boy learning to accept his fear and anxiety about moving across the world and everything changing. I just felt it lacked a bit of the cultural connections I expected to feel for it being based in a place so far away from myself. There were some Arabic words and foods discussed, and desert related pastimes, but it still felt a little lacking in connection to the deep cultural ties of someone from a region other than my own. This might just be a me problem though as someone outside the intended age group audience of this book. For younger readers whose world remains much smaller in scope, this is a good peek/glimpse into a kid who is in many ways just like you, only lives halfway across the world. I think 1st-3rd graders would enjoy this.
This is a love story, but not the mushy kind. The Turtle of Oman is the story of a boy , Aref, and his love of both his own country that he must leave and for his grandfather. It is the story of the adventures Sidi and Aref's have in last few days before Aref leaves Oman. It was refreshing to read a story set in a place that not many of us know a lot about. When we hear about the Middle East we often think of the images shown in the media. These do not give us a true understanding of the region or a sense of place. The Turtle of Oman made me understand the beauty of place and importance of family. The images Nye paints of Oman are beautiful and I found myself researching images and making lists of interesting facts in the same way Aref does in the story. I'm sure you will as well. This is a great story for students who have ever had to leave their home, who like to travel and learning about other places or who like stories about family relationships.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What a lovely, poetic book. Aref could be any boy who doesn't want to leave what is familiar. He and his parents are moving from Muscat Oman to Michigan for three years, so his parents can attend school. He and his grandfather have a special relationship that they both will miss. Aref is the turtle of Oman.
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book is well done but for some reason my kid’s 3rd grade teacher assigned it to him. The book is more suitable to a 5-7th grader. It moves slow and a lot of reflection that it goes over a 3rd graders head.
Really cool book. We read it for homeschool. I knew nothing about Oman prior to reading. It sounds like a really cool part of the world. Also beautifully written.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ADORABLE, SWEET, LOVE IT! I am obsessed with the sounds of oman, the writing was so easy yet descriptive and I felt like i was in Aref’s pocket next to his stones along for the ride. Siddi is just the best character, everybody deserves a Siddi in their life!
Side note: Icompletely understand how he feels: being a child and subjecting to big changes is hard and the thing is it never gets easier growing up you just kind of get desensitized to it. Letting go is never a total joy on the heart even when it’s the best option for you.
Side note: Icompletely understand how he feels: being a child and subjecting to big changes is hard and the thing is it never gets easier growing up you just kind of get desensitized to it. Letting go is never a total joy on the heart even when it’s the best option for you.