Turtle Boy

Twelve-year-old Will is approaching his Bar Mitzvah, the Jewish “coming of age” ritual for boys, and as he faces this great milestone in his life, he also faces another change: vital surgery to alter a facial difference which has earned Will the dreadful nickname “Turtle Boy”. If anything Will’s love of turtles and his incredible knowledge of how to care for them should have earned him such a nickname, but Will is relentlessly bullied for the shape of his chin. For his Bar Mitzvah community service, Will is asked to visit RJ, a boy struggling with his own incurable illness, but his own anxiety around hospitals holds him back. Although Will dreads the experience and the boys don’t get along at first, it’s not long before they realise that their very different personalities can help one another at a time when both boys desperately need a friend. As RJ gradually opens up to Will about his illness, he shares his bucket list of things he’s never done and Will promises to help RJ achieve his dreams in the short time he has left... Starting with a pet turtle!

Writing from his own experiences, Wolkenstein captures the gut-wrenching anxiety that Will experiences as he begins to push himself out of his comfort zone in order to help his dying friend. The incredibly mature topics which are discussed in this book feel like they should have been impossible to pitch to a middle-grade audience: terminal illness, death, loss, grief to name but a few. But Wolkenstein writes about these hardships in such an accessible way for his audience, allowing Will to feel the confusion and conflicting emotions that we all feel in difficult times, and presenting different outlets for Will’s grief and heartache. It’s so vitally important that books cover these difficult topics so those who experience them feel represented and these emotions are normalised and those who don’t experience them develop empathy and have the opportunity to feel these big emotions through characters like Will and RJ. I also appreciated a Jewish protagonist and the inclusion of so much Jewish culture—I learned so much about another faith and community and I knew very little about.

Although this is a book full of grief and heartache, it’s also full of friendship, connection, love, bravery and hope. I’d have a box of tissues at the ready for the sadder moments, and be ready to have big discussions around grief and loss if shared with a young audience. Perfect for fans of Wonder and The Goldfish Boy.

Will is only truly happy when rambling through the nature area beside his school and caring for his turtles. He’s an introvert whose main aims are to avoid mixing with his peers especially the one that pick on him and trying to avoid the subject of his important facial surgery. Initially he resents being made to befriend RJ, a sick boy in hospital as part of a volunteering programme in the run up to his Bar Mitzvah. But RJ’s unique determination to enjoy life slowly starts to draw out Will from under his physical and mental layers of hiding.

It’s a wondrous tale of friendship, bravery, personal acceptance with a smattering of environmental good deeds to take you on an emotional roller-coaster.

Wolkenstein also deals with the subject of grief in such a sensitive and heart-warming way, it never felt too preachy or heavy-handed. I could see how this book could make a huge impact, it’s such a satisfying read. I absolutely adored this story right from the delightful cover, the trials & tribulations of Will’s relationships, to the author’s note at the end. It had me in tears as it’s such a powerful story told in a way that will not only appeal to the target audience but will help them learn about so many important subjects while probably making them wish they had a turtle too. Okay, maybe that last part could just be me! Oh and the wee turtle drawings throughout are lovely.

This was such a positive reading experience.

Turtle Boy is the heartwarming story of a young boy's journey out of his shell, which will appeal to fans of Wonder. Will is an anxious boy who prefers the company of turtles to people his own age. He freezes up in conversations, avoids anything that makes him feel nervous, and is relentlessly bullied about his appearance. When Will begins visiting terminally-ill RJ in hospital, on the insistence of his Rabbi, he is slowly drawn out of his comfort-zone and begins to connect with others.

I was not prepared for how wonderful Turtle Boy would be, and was utterly absorbed by this touching story which I think will be very popular in schools.

Turtle Boy celebrates being yourself and learning not to shut the world out. Over the course of the novel, Will begins to make friends and let others in. His friendship with RJ forces him to have new experiences, even if they scare him, and I think lots of readers will find Will's character growth inspirational. He was also a vividly real character, with an anxiety-riddled internal-monologue that lots of readers will relate to, especially the way he freezes mid-conversation and can't think what to say next, and his arguments with his mum.

Turtle Boy is also an emotional story, and brought me to tears in multiple chapters. Wolkenstein handles difficult subject matters, such as grief and terminal illness body dysmorphia, with great sensitivity, and I would not hesitate to recommend this story.

Will Levine is a twelve-year-old Jewish boy, preparing for his Bar Mitzvah, and heroically dealing with a myriad of issues and anxieties. Will has a facial abnormality which has cruelly led to the children at school giving him the nickname, Turtle Boy, and for which he requires surgery to correct it. Having lost his father when he was just four years old to complications following an operation, Will is understandably reluctant to go ahead with the procedure. Will hides himself away until he is forced out of his shell by his Rabbi and sent to visit a terminally-ill boy called RJ as part of his Bar Mitzvah community service. Will and RJ become friends and RJ lives out his last weeks vicariously through Will, by sending him out into the world to complete the items on his bucket list. All of this, as well as the on-going fight to save his precious nature reserve where Will finds comfort in observing and collecting different species of turtles, makes for a story that is so endearing that it will steal your heart from the moment you begin reading.

The fact that Will’s story is based on the author’s own experiences gives the book so much depth, and I feel privileged to have read it. In my eyes, Will is a hero. He faces so many adversities yet shows a level of resilience that can only be admired. As a reader, you feel every ounce of his anxiety and heartache, but you also feel your heart swell with pride for him. The topics covered in this book are incredibly mature and not easy to convey to a middle-grade audience, but the author has written about them in such an accessible way for children, whilst still maintaining their stature. Having a Jewish protagonist, as well as a great deal of Jewish culture weaved throughout the story, is a welcome and insightful element, and I think young Jewish readers will appreciate being represented in this way.

This is a story filled with grief and gut-wrenching sadness, but one that is also filled with hope, family, friendship, love and a huge amount of bravery. For a debut novel from a new author, I truly believe that Wolkenstein has created something wonderful, and it is one of those books that stays with you long after you have finished reading.

Turtle Boy will take hold of your heart, shatter it into pieces, and put it right back together again.

Today I bring you a review of a title that has not actually been released yet! Scheduled for release next month, I have had the privilege of reading an advance copy.

Title: Turtle Boy
Author: M.Evan Wolkenstein
Recommended age: 9+
Price: £6.99
Topics covered: bullying, death, Judaism, growing up without a dad, friendship, self-esteem

Blurb: This is a powerful story of hope and friendship, perfect for fans of Wonder and The Goldfish Boy. Exploring self-image, family and grief, this book will make you laugh and cry.
Twelve-year-old Will likes two things: turtles and the local nature reserve. Everything else is a nightmare, because Will has a facial difference that has earned him an unfortunate nickname. But when Will’s Bar Mitzvah community service project introduces him to RJ, a boy who is confined to a hospital room, Will discovers they both have strength to lend the other and that life is too short to live in a shell.

My view: Seventh grader Will Levine has been nicknamed Turtle Boy by the school bullies due to his lack of chin (a medical condition called micrognathia). Ironically, turtles are one of Will’s favourite things, along with the local nature reserve. Will is able to have a routine surgery to correct his micrognathia; the only problem is he is petrified of hospitals, ever since his father had died during a routine operation when Will was just 4 years old. Throw into the mix the pressures of his Bar Mitzvah community service project, in a hospital; and the wild turtles Will has secretly adopted and you have the makings of a heart warming, meaningful story.

Will’s Rabbi assigns him to be a companion for RJ, a dying teen who is confined to the hospital. Will hates hospitals, and RJ doesn’t even want him there. Will manages to persevere, and RJ shares his bucket list with him. The things on RJ’s list seem completely alien to Will, his idea of happiness would be staying in his room with his beloved turtles; not attending school dances, riding rollercoasters or swimming in the ocean.
At first, the boys don't get along, but then RJ shares his bucket list with Will. Among the things he wants to do: ride a roller coaster, go to a concert and a school dance, and swim in the ocean. Will realises the way to help RJ is to have the experiences he craves for him, and share them with him before its too late. For Will, this is an impossible mission; forcing him to step well outside his comfort zone and to connect with others in order to fulfil RJ’s dreams.

Wolkenstein draws on his own experiences throughout the story, and has used them to cover several very mature topics in a really accessible way for middle graders. He allows the reader to feel the confusion and emotions Will experiences in a sensitive and engaging way; you feel all his confusion and anxiety, but you also feel a huge amount of pride in Will as he faces the challenges (not always head on, but he gets there in the end) with an admirable level of resilience. The use of a Jewish main character and the inclusion of lots of Jewish culture adds another dimension to the story, and teaches the reader so much about another community and faith that is not always represented in middle grade fiction. #pebblesbooknook #pebblesbooknookreviews #fridayfiction

Twelve-year-old Will likes two things: turtles and the local nature reserve. Everything else is a nightmare, because Will has a facial difference that has earned him an unfortunate nickname. But when Will’s Bar Mitzvah community service project introduces him to RJ, a boy who is confined to a hospital room, Will discovers they both have strength to lend the other and that life is too short to live in a shell.
I'm a one of the 10 Usborne Fiction Champions and I have just shared my review of Turtle Boy in Fiction Fans. It's out in a couple of weeks but I think it will be a sell out! Here's my review. Pop over to fiction fans to read other (significantly better written) reviews :-)

My Review: I binge read it.... what else do you need to know? 🤣😍

I have been looking forward to this for ages and it did not disappoint! There is a lot of rubbish America children's fiction out there but thee one's that make it to Usborne are amazing!

As I started reading Turtle Boy I began to think about the similarities with Freak the Mighty (another American middle grade fiction. Read it, unless you are in the EU😞) I quite often middle grade books and imagine reading them as a class read. This is a definite class read.

Will, the main character is really not very likeable. It's not so common to have a not very likeable main character. He has a condition that requires him to have an operation but he tells no one. He is teased for the way he looks but he is not very kind to his friends and spends his time feeling sorry for himself. You want to feel for him as he has a condition. We are told to be kind to people if they are different or have something wrong with them, but if that person does not want to accept the kindness then it's really hard to do, and Will very easily turns his friends and everyone away. Shirah and Max are his main friends but they can't help Will as he won't let them in. Will loves turtles but has taken wild turtles to be companions for himself which of course throws another dimension to the story.

I am not Jewish and don't know much about Judaism, but I got a real insight into Judaism as being Jewish is a big part of the story and Will's life. Will is getting ready for his Bar Mitzvah along with his peers at the synagogue. He hates it all. He wants to hide away from himself and everyone. But the Rabbi who is a pretty smart cookie, hits on something that might just make Will realise how selfish he is being and teach him some lessons in compassion as well as making a new friend.

Meet RJ, ,who is dying and in the hospital. Will has to complete 40 hours community service and his "job" is to visit RJ. From something that started as a chore and a fear of hospitals (Will's dad died when he was 4 after a routine operation), RJ's no nonsense approach and his view of life and how Will can help him, starts to change Will. His "can't do/woe is me" attitude starts to shift and becomes an "I can" attitude as RJ asks his to do seemigly impossible tasks.

Will and his mum don't do talking and when he wants to know things about his dad his mum changes the subject. She also doesn't take time to understand his feelings about how he looks and says he looks just fine. The loneliness Will feels from this just fuels his "woe is me" attitude.

It all comes together in a heartbreakingly sad but uplifing way when Will begins to understand why RJ is asking his to do what he does, and also his friends and his mum. His speech at his Bar Mitzvah is one to be proud of.

I LOVED this book and I knew it would make me cry and it did. There are so much discussion potential around the themes of death, bullying, friendship, family, problem sharing, growing up, and a big one for me: pushing comfort zones so much that confidence just oozes. It's a bit like Usborne!

I would really recommend this book to age 10 plus readers and definitely a great schools/book club book.

I also love the fact that the book is written about real life experience. The author has based it on his own experiences so it is "real". There are some great discussion questions at the back too.

Now off to find out more about the medical conditions that are written about in the book. By the way I think the UK cover is way nicer than the US cover 😊

#fictionchampion #turtleboy

I’ve just finished Turtle Boy so here’s my review, definitely put it to the top of your to read pile!

Will, initially, didn’t draw me in as a character, he pushes away those who truly care for him and it was a battle between himself and his thoughts I felt he chose the easier option to be alone with his thoughts rather than welcome others into the walls he built around himself. As he struggles to make sense of his feeling’s surrounding his dad’s death, a mum that won’t talk about it, being bullied for his facial condition, fear of upcoming surgery and his friends growing up and moving forward.

What progresses is one of the most powerful books I’ve read, a must read for middle grade fiction fans and one to most certainly recommend to each and every school for their library and a whole class read!

When will meets RJ, who is terminally ill, through his rabbi, the same struggle instinctively causes him to push away, to be rude, in my opinion stemming from disconnection and lack of self esteem.

Forced to continue to visit RJ in hospital, the most beautiful friendship develops and we see, feel and grow with Will on his journey to find himself. With the help of RJs bucket list we join them on the most wonderful adventure, of excitement, fear, determination and love - drums, confidence, a rock concert and a pet, not only make you laugh but ultimately cry with pride for how Will finds himself as he heads towards his Bar Mitzvah.

Goosebumps when you head towards a finale of hope as he learns about his dad, faces his fear of surgery, looses RJ and allows his friends to break down the walls he has built accumulating in a character of strength and determination.

I want to read what happens next for Will, his mum, Rabbi Harris, Gwen Max and Shirah!

Turtle Boy is a carefully crafted, thoughtful story about finding out who you really are and being pushed to reach outside of yourself to find your potential.

Will finds life difficult. As he starts seventh grade, everything seems to pile up on him and nothing is going right – bullying, too many new situations, friends moving on and a frightening medical condition. The only place he finds peace is in his room with his pet turtles or out on the “Back 40” nature reserve behind school. The rest of the time, he just wants to hide inside his hoody and avoid being called “Turtle Boy”.

Then, as a part of his preparation for his Bar Mitzvah, Will meets RJ. As their friendship grows, their similarities and differences create a unique bond. Will learns some incredibly important lessons about himself and about life.

Turtle Boy is a story of inspiration and strength. The issues of life, death, fear and courage are dealt with head on. It is a book full of powerful feelings that reach off the page. Parents and teachers should be mindful of this when sharing this book with more vulnerable children. Through the story of Will and RJ, readers will come to realise that in helping another person, we gain much in return. Often, it is easy to become self-centred and focussed on our own needs. When we reach out, we understand more about other people and, in turn, more about ourselves. Life is for living to the fullest. Something might be scary but if we take a chance, we may just find ourselves on the most incredible journey.

Thank you to Usborne Publishing and NetGalley for this thought-provoking book.

“In life, we have moments of truth, where everything is on the line. And when these moments happen, we never have cheat sheets. We only have our instincts and the skills we’ve developed over the years.”

Turtle Boy is a book filled with these moments, giving us a bird’s eye view of the choices Will, our lead character, makes and the subsequent results and emotional impact of these choices. There is no finer phrase to describe this book than an emotional rollercoaster. I did not just cry whilst reading it, I sobbed. I was emotional invested in the characters and I felt their pain as I read.

Our protagonist is a twelve year old boy called Will who has a small facial abnormality. He experiences name calling and taunting and, as a result, has retreated into himself, isolating himself from the world around him. His only pleasures in life are turtles and a local nature reserve. Whilst preparing for his Bar Mitzvah, Will is tasked with visiting a teenage boy at a local hospital and this sets in motion a chain of events which force Will to emerge from the shell he has placed himself in.

Reminiscent of Wonder, the book deals with issues such as identify and self-image. It also explores grief and loss. I enjoyed the insight into Judaism also.

I think this book is probably a little too emotionally fraught for my Year 5 pupils, but I would recommend it for pupils in Year 6+. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to access this preview.

I am glad I took the time to savour this book. It’s a beautifully woven tale of difference, bullying, love and friendship. Yet the author also deals with loss and grief in a perfect way. Illustrating to readers how grief is not a one time thing you deal with, it can crash over you like a wave at totally random times.

I would recommend this book to everyone, it’s not just a kids read. I can see this helping children empathise With others and also process their own emotions. Will and RJ make me want to face my own fears!

Customer Review
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 August 2020
This book tells the story of Will who has a facial difference which has earned him the name Turtle Boy. As part of his Bar Mitzvah preparations he has to do community service and the Rabbi has paired him with RJ, a boy, facing a limited future, living in a hospital room . Gradually the two become friends, and as Will carries out RJ's bucket list, he learns to face his fears and to trust his friends & mother. Learning to communicate honestly, and dealing with grief are also an important elements of this book. This story is based partly on the author's own experience when growing up which I think is why it feels very authentic. Recommended.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R3UNP1ZVGMXCFA?ref=pf_ov_at_pdctrvw_srp

https://www.waterstones.com/books/reviews/isbn/9781474981385#review-159129

https://toppsta.com/books/details/672789/turtle-boy