Turtle Girl
ILLUSTRATED BY
In Picture Book
Ages: 7–9
Pages: 32
List Price: $16.95
Cover: Hardcover
Published: 2/1/2008
ISBN: 1-59078-262-3
ISBN-13: 978-1-59078-262-0
“I will always be with you, Magdalena, especially at turtle-time." Magdalena and her grandmother are on a turtle watch, looking for sea turtles. As turtles float ashore to dig their nests and lay their eggs in the moonlight, the sight is a wonder to behold. Magdalena’s grandmother promises Magdalena that she will always be with her at turtle-time. But when her grandmother dies, Magdalena feels hurt and betrayed. She doesn’t care what happens to the hatchlings that are beginning to emerge from their shells on the beach. Then, in the distance, she hears the cry of a hungry gull. A deeply felt story of memory and the enduring power of love.
Reviews
"Crowe intertwines a tale of human bonds with nature's call to endangered Loggerhead turtles."
—Kirkus Reviews
"The story conveys both the special relationship between grandmother and grandchild and death. The child's grief is realistic, and the new life, seen in the hatching of the baby sea turtles, acts as an encouragement. Acrylic pictures are nicely done and work well with the varying tones of the story. Pair this title with nonfiction items on sea turtles for an animal unit or have it available for children facing the death of a grandparent."
—Library Media Connection
Reviewer Betsy Ruffin takes a look at Carole Crowe's Turtle Girl in the April/May 2008 issue of Library Media Connection:
"The story conveys both the special relationship between grandmother and grandchild and death. The child's grief is realistic, and the new life, seen in the hatching of the baby sea turtles, acts as an encouragement. Acrylic pictures are nicely done and work well with the varying tones of the story. Pair this title with nonfiction items on sea turtles for an animal unit or have it available for children facing the death of a grandparent."