The Turtle of Michigan: A Novel [Hardcover]

The stand-alone companion to National Book Award Finalist and beloved poet Naomi Shihab Nye’sThe Turtle of Oman.The Turtle of Michiganis 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 ofOther Words for HomeandBilly Miller Makes a Wish. 

Aref is excited for his journey to 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.TheTurtle of Michiganis a great choice for reading aloud and a must-have for younger middle grade readers. 

Illustrated in black-and-white throughout. 

“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 Childrens Books

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