ex_libris_volantes 's review for:

The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye

4.0

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

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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.