The Magic Sea Turtle by Kathleen Welton

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Myrtle is a young girl who dreams of being a queen one day. Then she falls from the sky to the ocean below. She meets Max the sea turtle and other animals from the sea. After spending a day with them she has one more wish to make. What will it be? A cute book for the youngest child. Every child has dreams of being more than they are. As they get older those dreams change. But, dreams must start somewhere and the best place is in the heart and mind of the youngest child.

Student Saturday” “One Last Word” by: Nikki Grimes

Genre: Middle Grade, Poetry
Student Reviewer: Susan T. 

This collection of poems is truly meaningful and inspiring. The deep, powerful meanings behind every single one of these poems are thought-provoking and filled with wisdom. These are poems that show people what poetry is about. A few of my favorites are ‘Emergency Measures’, ‘Lessons’, and ‘Through the Eyes of Artists’. The meanings behind these three poems stood out to me the most. I recommend this book to most people. The perspectives in this book are realistic and meaningful, I would read it again.

Student Saturday: Listen, Slowly by Thanhhà Lại

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction 4/6
Student Reviewer: Jason G.

Mai, A Twelve-year-old girl who finished 6th grade, got hit with the news that she would go to Vietnam for six weeks. She did not appeal to this idea and attempted to counter-argue it with her parents but got madder. On the plane, her grandmother, Bà, tried to get Mai to stop resisting by saying, “Mai, try to understand that this trip is for you too. To see where you are from...” Mai, still in resistance, screams into the airplane pillow. As Mai and Mua, her father, discuss the importance of her going, Mua hisses, “Bà thinks Õng might be alive; that’s why.” Õng is Mai’s grandfather, and Bà seeks to uncover during their trip to Vietnam. Mua says, “As soon as she accepts that Õng is truly gone, you both can go home. Mai, I would just like you to be with her until she accepts.”

I can relate to Mai because, like Mai stated, “What’s so important? All her children and grandchildren are in California. Her life is there. My life is there.” I would also be short-tempered if I went on a trip for the sole purpose of learning more about family. This book is well-crafted for its ability to engage with readers who have encountered similar cultural challenges. I recommend this book to people who find the complexities of adolescence in a multicultural world stimulating. This book is well-written and shows a heartfelt and insightful exploration of cultural identity and the complexities of family heritage.