A review by corncobwebs
The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye

I wanted to read this book after I read Roger Sutton's interview with Naomi Shihab Nye. Even if a book isn't the type of thing I'd typically read, hearing about it from the author will usually spark my interest. Indeed, this isn't a typical "Miss Amy" book; it's a very quiet story in which not much happens. Aref's family is preparing to move from Oman to Michigan, and the book follows him for a week or so as he packs (or tries/pretends to), struggles with his feelings, and spends time with grandfather Sidi in the beautiful country he has grown to love. Even though the plot is relatively uneventful, the writing is stunning -- full of details and imagery that are a treat for anyone who loves the printed word. In terms of the characters, Aref's whining about how he doesn't want to move gets a little old, but Sidi is delightful. He's the patient, inquisitive, up-for-anything (despite his bad knees!) grandfather that everyone wants to have. The love between Aref and Sidi is really touching, and serves as a reminder that people stay connected even if they're separated by physical distance.

Kids probably wouldn't pick this one up on their own, so it's a good candidate for hand-selling. I'd recommend it to kids who are moving (Aref comes to terms with his own move by the end of the book), or to folks who are looking for books with diverse characters.