The Turtle of Oman
Poetic story about boy who doesn't want to move to America.
Kids say
Based on 3 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Turtle of Oman is a coming-of-age story about a boy from the country of Oman on the Arabian Peninsula, who doesn't want to move to the United States, where his parents are moving temporarily to attend graduate school in Michigan. He eventually learns that, like the turtles he loves so much, he carries his home with him -- and will return to where he's from. Readers will learn something about Oman and its people and pick up on the the various facts Aref lists between the pages about turtles, foxes, and more. In one scene, Aref sees men smoking tobacco out of a "hubble-bubble" (a water pipe), and in another, he catches a fish but releases it because he wants it to live. This book 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.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
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: Naomi Shihab Nye
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Adventures, Great Boy Role Models, 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, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
-
Walk Two Moons
Dramatic, complex tale has rich characters, emotional depth.
-
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Attention to detail makes adventure satisfying.
-
Kira-Kira
Girl faces racism, sister's cancer in touching tale.
For kids who love great literature for young people
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate