The Turtle of Michigan: A Novel

by Naomi Shihab Nye, Peter Ganim (Read by)

Overview

“Celebrates the power of human connections.”—School Library Journal (starred review)

“Humorous, sensitive, and poignant.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The stand-alone companion to National Book Award Finalist and beloved poet Naomi Shihab Nye’s The Turtle of Oman. The Turtle of Michigan is a deft and accessible novel that follows a young boy named Aref as he travels from Muscat, Oman, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and adjusts to a new life and a new school in the United States. A wonderful pick for young middle grade readers and fans of Kevin Henkes, Erin Entrada Kelly, and Meg Medina.

Aref is excited for his journey from Oman to the United States, where he will reunite with his father in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Aref makes a friend on an airplane, wonders what Michigan will be like, and starts school in the United States. While he does miss his grandfather, his Sidi, Aref knows that his home in Oman will always be waiting for him.

Award-winning author Naomi Shihab Nye’s highly anticipated sequel to The Turtle of Oman explores immigration, family, and what it means to feel at home. Carrying a suitcase and memories of Oman, Aref experiences the excitement and nervousness that accompany moving to a new home and new school. The Turtle of Michigan is a great choice for reading aloud as well as a perfect read-alone for younger middle grade readers.

Illustrated in black-and-white throughout.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798200855155
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	03/15/2022
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 5.59(h) x 0.63(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Naomi Shihab Nye has received a Lannan Fellowship, a
Guggenheim Fellowship, the Witter Bynner Fellowship from the Library of
Congress, and four Pushcart Prizes. Her poetry collection 19 Varieties of Gazelle was a finalist for the National Book Award; Honeybee was awarded the Arab American Book Award. Nye is currently serving on the board of chancellors of the Academy of American
Poets. She has edited several honored and popular poetry anthologies—including Time You Let Me In, Salting the
Ocean, and This Same Sky—and is the author of the novels Habibi
and Going, Going. Nye lives with her family in San Antonio, Texas.

Peter Ganim, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is an American actor who has appeared on stage, on television, and in film. He has performed voice-over work since 1994.

 

Editorial Reviews

Transplanted from Oman to Michigan, an Arab boy adjusts to his new life while missing his beloved grandfather in this stand-alone companion to The Turtle of Oman. . . . Nye’s inimitable, poetic prose beautifully captures Aref’s emotions as he meets the challenges of international travel and adjusting to a new community and culture while worrying about Sidi. Seamlessly continuing Aref’s story but accessible to new readers, this novel deftly explores the meaning of home. . . . A humorous, sensitive, and poignant family-centered take on moving to a new country.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Aref Al-Amri has finally packed his suitcase and is journeying from Oman to Michigan in this charming follow-up to Nye’s The Turtle of Oman. . . . Aref is just as curious, insightful, and enthusiastic as he was in the previous book, and after a ­period of adjustment, he begins to feel quite at home. If only his beloved grandfather, Sidi, would come to visit, then everything would be perfect. Nye’s imagery brings the snows and forests of Michigan to vivid life, and her characters nearly leap off the page with authenticity.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“This long-awaited follow-up to The Turtle of Oman reunites readers with an eight-year-old boy named Aref from Oman. . . . This very gentle read captures Aref’s experiences in his new town of Ann Arbor, including as he attends his new, inclusive school. . . . Enjoyable as a standalone, this accessible read offers a comfortingly warm, joyful view of moving.” — Booklist

“Eight-year-old Aref embarks on a trip with his mother to reunite with his father in Ann Arbor. Sad to leave Oman but now excited to go to Michigan, Aref leans into his surprising lack of nerves, adjusting to his new life with enthusiasm. . . . The book is a pleasingly gentle episodic series following Aref’s mostly problem-free entry into his new life, focusing on the joy and adventure of a relocation. . . . The tone is light and the narration sprightly, capturing Aref’s . . . curiosity about the world around him.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

From the Publisher

This long-awaited follow-up to The Turtle of Oman reunites readers with an eight-year-old boy named Aref from Oman. . . . This very gentle read captures Aref’s experiences in his new town of Ann Arbor, including as he attends his new, inclusive school. . . . Enjoyable as a standalone, this accessible read offers a comfortingly warm, joyful view of moving.

Booklist

Eight-year-old Aref embarks on a trip with his mother to reunite with his father in Ann Arbor. Sad to leave Oman but now excited to go to Michigan, Aref leans into his surprising lack of nerves, adjusting to his new life with enthusiasm. . . . The book is a pleasingly gentle episodic series following Aref’s mostly problem-free entry into his new life, focusing on the joy and adventure of a relocation. . . . The tone is light and the narration sprightly, capturing Aref’s . . . curiosity about the world around him.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

This long-awaited follow-up to The Turtle of Oman reunites readers with an eight-year-old boy named Aref from Oman. . . . This very gentle read captures Aref’s experiences in his new town of Ann Arbor, including as he attends his new, inclusive school. . . . Enjoyable as a standalone, this accessible read offers a comfortingly warm, joyful view of moving.

Booklist

★ 04/01/2022

Gr 3–5—Aref Al-Amri has finally packed his suitcase and is journeying from Oman to Michigan in this charming follow-up to Nye's The Turtle of Oman. As it turns out, flying is thrilling for Aref, and though the journey is long, his new home in Ann Arbor, MI, offers plenty of new and exciting experiences. Aref is just as curious, insightful, and enthusiastic as he was in the previous book, and after a period of adjustment, he begins to feel quite at home. If only his beloved grandfather, Sidi, would come to visit, then everything would be perfect. Nye's imagery brings the snows and forests of Michigan to vivid life, and her characters nearly leap off the page with authenticity. Both fans of the previous book and new readers will surely relate to Aref's simultaneous enthusiasm for his new home and homesickness for Oman and Sidi. VERDICT A lovely first purchase celebrating the power of human connections.—Dana West

School Library Journal

Peter Ganim adds further zest to this appealing sequel to THE TURTLE OF OMAN. Eight-year-old Aref and his family move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, from Oman. Listeners observe his parents devoting much attention to their university classes while bored Aref misses his grandfather, former home, and precious wild turtles. Things improve after he attends a summer art camp, meets fellow classmates, and welcomes neighbors, including Honeybun, a guide dog for the blind. Ganim’s endearing Aref is caring and intelligent; he comes to love his new home, even the snow. Glimpses of family life add intimacy to the story. Learning from Aref’s situation should lessen the sadness of change, particularly homesickness, for listeners of all ages. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

SEPTEMBER 2022 - AudioFile

Peter Ganim adds further zest to this appealing sequel to THE TURTLE OF OMAN. Eight-year-old Aref and his family move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, from Oman. Listeners observe his parents devoting much attention to their university classes while bored Aref misses his grandfather, former home, and precious wild turtles. Things improve after he attends a summer art camp, meets fellow classmates, and welcomes neighbors, including Honeybun, a guide dog for the blind. Ganim’s endearing Aref is caring and intelligent; he comes to love his new home, even the snow. Glimpses of family life add intimacy to the story. Learning from Aref’s situation should lessen the sadness of change, particularly homesickness, for listeners of all ages. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

SEPTEMBER 2022 - AudioFile

★ 2021-12-24
Transplanted from Oman to Michigan, an Arab boy adjusts to his new life while missing his beloved grandfather in this stand-alone companion to The Turtle of Oman (2014).

After weeks of worry and fear about leaving his home; his grandfather Sidi; and his friends, 8-year-old Aref’s finally on the plane with his mother, poised to join his father in Ann Arbor, where they will live while his parents attend graduate school. As the plane ascends, Aref’s relieved, excited, and fascinated with everything during their flights to Paris, New York City, and Detroit. They settle into their small apartment, and Aref’s parents attend classes at the university while he starts third grade at a diverse new school that reminds him of his old one. Aref enthusiastically savors the sights, sounds, and scents of Michigan, especially the deciduous trees, small turtles, and snow—so different from Oman’s palm trees, large turtles, and desert. Gradually Aref’s fear of feeling strange in Ann Arbor dissipates, but he still misses Sidi, who’s not doing well without his grandson. If only Sidi could overcome his fear of new things and come visit. Nye’s inimitable, poetic prose beautifully captures Aref’s emotions as he meets the challenges of international travel and adjusting to a new community and culture while worrying about Sidi. Seamlessly continuing Aref’s story but accessible to new readers, this novel deftly explores the meaning of home. Final art not seen.

A humorous, sensitive, and poignant family-centered take on moving to a new country. (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews