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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
I loved the poetic language, Aref's inner thoughts (I wondered so many of those things before, too!) and the special, quiet kinship between Aref & his loving grandfather.
Though the story wasn't as dynamic as I hoped it could be, it was a really nice tale of coping with imminent upheaval in a child's life. I particularly liked the grandfather as well as the overall atmosphere of the book. I need to visit Muscat sometime.
Audio note: it was --really weird-- to have the same reader for this as The Shining Girls. It took me a while to really separate this narrative from that of a gruesome serial killer tale.
Audio note: it was --really weird-- to have the same reader for this as The Shining Girls. It took me a while to really separate this narrative from that of a gruesome serial killer tale.
The Turtle of Oman is a lovely, gentle story. The main character Aref's quiet innocence puts me in mind of The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes. I have to say though, I was bummed that none of this story actually takes place in Michigan. When it said that Aref was moving to Ann Arbor, I was excited at the prospect of reading a story in one of my favorite towns, but this book is only about Aref's preparation to move, not about the move itself. Having said that, even though I was bummed that this story doesn't actually take place in Ann Arbor, I'm equally happy that it's a quiet, peaceful story that takes place in a Middle Eastern country. Too often we perceive the Middle East as one big conflict zone, but here you have a young protagonist who loves his home and doesn't want to leave it. So in that regard, this is a great book to give to young people to help change their perceptions and prejudices.
A sweet story, with a positive and gentle outlook on what is a very difficult thing for young people - moving from one home to a new home far away. It didn't have as structured a plot as I expected, but the calm style of writing was engaging. It was a fast read, and refreshingly different from the books I've read recently.
A gentle, poetic book about a boy dealing with an impending move from his home country of Oman to the United States. He is apprehensive about the move and reluctant to pack until his grandfather spends a week with him helping him store up memories and come to terms with the changes in his life.
I could relate to this book as someone who moved several times in my childhood (albeit to different states in the US, not different countries.). However, it moved slowly and I think many of my students will be bored by the pace of the story and the lack of action.
I could relate to this book as someone who moved several times in my childhood (albeit to different states in the US, not different countries.). However, it moved slowly and I think many of my students will be bored by the pace of the story and the lack of action.
Aref is going to be moving with his parents from Oman to Michigan. But Aref is not happy about the move. He doesn’t want to leave his bedroom, he doesn’t want to leave his neighborhood, he doesn’t want to leave the wonderful sights and smells of home – and he is not going to pack his suitcase! Aref’s mother finally calls in his grandfather to help. But instead of packing, Sidi takes Aref off on a variety of adventures, each yielding a stone that Aref can take with him on his journey.
What a touching story of a boy and his grandfather. Their adventures were plentiful and I found myself (the person who loathes camping with all her might) wanting to sleep in the desert camp or under the stars on Sidi’s rooftop. This turtle-loving-gal also very much wanted to see the turtles along the shore of Oman – and I chuckled at poor Sidi when he was reminded that he belongs on a shore not on a rocking boat getting a queasy stomach! I very much enjoyed the method that Sidi used to ease his grandson into the inevitable move. We all need precious memories to cling to when starting new journeys.
I did have one “hang-up.” The industry professional reviewers (Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal) put this in the grade 3-6 range or ages 8-12. I do not think a middle grade student would find this engaging. The writing and language seem for the younger end of the age-range given by professional reviewers but with short, choppy, nonflowing sentences. In the beginning, I felt yanked from idea to idea, thought to thought. The flow of words that I appreciate and love was not present and I truly felt “talked down to.” I did adjust to the method of writing and was able to finish & enjoy Aref and Sidi’s journey. But I do not think I should have had to make such an adjustment; the flow of ideas should be present and seamless.
For any who think this is a story of immigration: STOP! This is a book about moving, leaving a home one is familiar with and going to one that is new and strange. The Turtle of Oman was a beautiful glimpse of Oman’s culture, language, and customs as well as a tremendous tale of a grandfather trying to help his grandson adjust to and prepare for the upcoming change. But it had nothing to do with the actual move to the strange new land with a new culture, language, and customs. This was all about preparing to move and leave behind the known, regardless of from where one is leaving.
Again, I was most touched by the relationship between Sidi and Aref. Having experienced the art-of-moving several times, I could identify with Aref’s concerns, fears, and frustrations. I, too, wish I could bottle the good parts to take with me – or package the bad parts and send them off without me. If only the writing had been a bit more smooth, I would have given this a solid five-stars.
Note: I read this book for the 2019 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge. As this book won the 2015 Arab American Book Award for Children/Young Adult, it fills the “children’s or MG book (not young adult) that won a diversity award since 2009” challenge.
What a touching story of a boy and his grandfather. Their adventures were plentiful and I found myself (the person who loathes camping with all her might) wanting to sleep in the desert camp or under the stars on Sidi’s rooftop. This turtle-loving-gal also very much wanted to see the turtles along the shore of Oman – and I chuckled at poor Sidi when he was reminded that he belongs on a shore not on a rocking boat getting a queasy stomach! I very much enjoyed the method that Sidi used to ease his grandson into the inevitable move. We all need precious memories to cling to when starting new journeys.
I did have one “hang-up.” The industry professional reviewers (Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal) put this in the grade 3-6 range or ages 8-12. I do not think a middle grade student would find this engaging. The writing and language seem for the younger end of the age-range given by professional reviewers but with short, choppy, nonflowing sentences. In the beginning, I felt yanked from idea to idea, thought to thought. The flow of words that I appreciate and love was not present and I truly felt “talked down to.” I did adjust to the method of writing and was able to finish & enjoy Aref and Sidi’s journey. But I do not think I should have had to make such an adjustment; the flow of ideas should be present and seamless.
For any who think this is a story of immigration: STOP! This is a book about moving, leaving a home one is familiar with and going to one that is new and strange. The Turtle of Oman was a beautiful glimpse of Oman’s culture, language, and customs as well as a tremendous tale of a grandfather trying to help his grandson adjust to and prepare for the upcoming change. But it had nothing to do with the actual move to the strange new land with a new culture, language, and customs. This was all about preparing to move and leave behind the known, regardless of from where one is leaving.
Again, I was most touched by the relationship between Sidi and Aref. Having experienced the art-of-moving several times, I could identify with Aref’s concerns, fears, and frustrations. I, too, wish I could bottle the good parts to take with me – or package the bad parts and send them off without me. If only the writing had been a bit more smooth, I would have given this a solid five-stars.
Note: I read this book for the 2019 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge. As this book won the 2015 Arab American Book Award for Children/Young Adult, it fills the “children’s or MG book (not young adult) that won a diversity award since 2009” challenge.
Rarely do I give a book one star because usually if I don't care for a book that much I do not finish it and thus do not rate it. However, when you are a librarian you sometimes get assigned reading and this was one of the books that was assigned to me as a children's librarian. Everyone else in my grouped loved it. Of all the books we were assigned, this one I just could not get into it and I couldn't really imagine a child reader enjoying it every much. I gave it one star simply because I did not enjoy it.
I do not think this book was without merit. The prose is good. It taps into true childhood emotion of homesickness. It's a good peek into another culture and another part of the world. Despite all of that, I did not find it engaging.
I do not think this book was without merit. The prose is good. It taps into true childhood emotion of homesickness. It's a good peek into another culture and another part of the world. Despite all of that, I did not find it engaging.
This is about a boy having a temper tantrum about having to leave home.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced