Common Sense Media Review
By Kate Pavao
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poetic story about boy who doesn't want to move to America.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Having always lived in Oman, Aref doesn't want to move to the United States with his parents for three years while they attend graduate school in Michigan. He's not getting very far in his packing, and is generally gloomy thinking about all the things he loves about Oman, and how his cousins will be moving into his house and messing with his stuff. His beloved grandfather takes him on a series of adventures -- a trip to the beach, a camping trip to the desert, an overnight on his grandfather's roof -- giving Aref sweet memories and also the insight he needs to have a new attitude about his new adventure.
Is It Any Good?
THE TURTLE OF OMAN has a lyrical style and languid pace that will stick with readers. The story is both educational in its portrait of the Arab country of Oman and its people (and all the facts Aref lists between the pages about turtles, foxes, and more) and moving, as readers see the love Aref has for his home, and especially his grandfather, Sidi. Aref's playful, loving grandfather is well drawn, and readers can't help but be envious of their endless stream-of-consciousness conversations ("Talking with Sidi felt like a sky of floating words. You could say anything. Words blended together like paint on paper when you brushed a streak of watercolor orange onto a page, blew on it and thin rivers of color spread out, touching the other colors to make a new one.")
This is a good choice for kids who may be resisting a family move, or really for anyone who loves poetic stories full of significant details.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Aref's struggle in The Turtle of Oman. Why doesn't he want to move to America? How do his feelings change over the course of the story?
What do you think of the book's title? What does Aref have in common with the turtles he loves so much?
Each member of Aref's family shares something they learn each day, even if it's only a new vocabulary word. Why do they do this? What does it tell you about them? Inspired families might want to try this exercise on their own.
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Ocean Creatures , Wild Animals )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Greenwillow Books
- Publication date : August 26, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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