Why We Chose Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein
If you’re looking for an amazing story that will give your kids a chance to practice the hard stuff, check out Turtle Boy. Your tween will love it, even if they refuse to admit it.
My daughter’s 6th grade humanities class is reading Turtle Boy, Evan Wolkenstein’s Sydney Taylor award-winning debut novel. And even though my kiddo complains every time she has an assignment, she also comes to me with thoughts, questions, and reflections about Will Levine and the struggles he faces over the course of the book.
Even if my daughter won’t admit it (which of course she won’t, because she’s a tween and I’m her mother), she’s enjoying Turtle Boy. I loved it too; it’s a compelling story with relatable characters and all the good stuff you want in a Jewish middle grade novel: action, emotion, tension, a sweet bar mitzvah scene, a satisfying ending and, perhaps best of all, turtles.
The power of middle grade books isn’t just about their entertainment value. There’s another reason why I’m so grateful that my daughter’s class is reading Turtle Boy. It’s a great opportunity for readers to practice the hard stuff of life — painful emotions, uncomfortable experiences, and many moments when we’re really not sure if anything will be ok.
As much as we may want to protect our children from all of this, the rough reality is that they’re going to live through it someday, if they haven’t already. The more middle grade readers can see the world through someone else’s eyes and experience their emotions and experiences within the safety of a strong story, the more empathy they’ll have for others and the better prepared to engage with the real world when they need to.
To be sure, many middle-grade readers may have experienced similar life challenges, and my hope is that they will see themselves in this book and know they’re not alone. And all readers will benefit from the many blessings in this story: surprising friendships, strengths we didn’t realize we had, the power of friendship, and the value of community and Jewish tradition in honoring major milestones and significant transitions.
If you’re looking for an amazing story that will give your kids a chance to practice the hard stuff, check out Turtle Boy. Your tween will love it, even if they refuse to admit it.
Carla Naumburg, PhD, is a writer, clinical social worker, and mother of two PJ Our Way readers. She’s the author of three parenting books.
Even if my daughter won’t admit it (which of course she won’t, because she’s a tween and I’m her mother), she’s enjoying Turtle Boy. I loved it too; it’s a compelling story with relatable characters and all the good stuff you want in a Jewish middle grade novel: action, emotion, tension, a sweet bar mitzvah scene, a satisfying ending and, perhaps best of all, turtles.
The power of middle grade books isn’t just about their entertainment value. There’s another reason why I’m so grateful that my daughter’s class is reading Turtle Boy. It’s a great opportunity for readers to practice the hard stuff of life — painful emotions, uncomfortable experiences, and many moments when we’re really not sure if anything will be ok.
As much as we may want to protect our children from all of this, the rough reality is that they’re going to live through it someday, if they haven’t already. The more middle grade readers can see the world through someone else’s eyes and experience their emotions and experiences within the safety of a strong story, the more empathy they’ll have for others and the better prepared to engage with the real world when they need to.
To be sure, many middle-grade readers may have experienced similar life challenges, and my hope is that they will see themselves in this book and know they’re not alone. And all readers will benefit from the many blessings in this story: surprising friendships, strengths we didn’t realize we had, the power of friendship, and the value of community and Jewish tradition in honoring major milestones and significant transitions.
If you’re looking for an amazing story that will give your kids a chance to practice the hard stuff, check out Turtle Boy. Your tween will love it, even if they refuse to admit it.
Carla Naumburg, PhD, is a writer, clinical social worker, and mother of two PJ Our Way readers. She’s the author of three parenting books.
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