As a result of my various committee appointments and commitments I am unable to disclose my personal thoughts on this title at this time. Please see my star rating for a general overview of how I felt about this title. Additionally, you may check my GoodReads for additional information on what thoughts I’m able to share publicly. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this and any other titles you are in charge of.

Turtle Boy is a sweet story of a seventh grade boy, Will Levine, who is preparing for his bar mitzvah. And for his community service, he starts to visit a sick teenage boy in the hospital that is suffering from a rare disease. They become friends and Will helps his new friend, RJ, check things off his bucket list, things that Will would never have done on his own. Will has a recessed chin (I was almost imagining the opposite of a Jay Leno chin) and gets bullied at school. Will is quite the introvert, he just enjoys being alone and spending time with his turtles. He has two friends Shirah and Max, they all attend Hebrew School together. The three of them work together at completing RJ’s bucket list items; during this time, Will starts to come out of his awkward shell and becomes a different version of himself. What I liked most about this book is that each character had some type of challenge to overcome. They had their conflicts, but eventually they all came together at the end. There were some sad elements in the story as well, but I do not want to spoil the story. This book is for anyone who loved the book Wonder and it is perfect for middle graders. I hate to use the cliche, but it is very heartwarming story.

Today's title is Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein. A middle-grade novel about a boy with big problems.

Middle school is full of misery for even the average kid. Awkward growth spurts, acne outbreaks, and the ever-widening gap between the sexes is not a graceful transition. Will wishes that would be all he has to deal with this year. But Will has bigger worries. Like a genetic condition affecting his lower jaw, an up-coming surgery to correct it, and a huge phobia of hospitals. Things aren't going well in the friendship department either. Just like his beloved turtles, Will is going to need to find away to come out of his shell if he is going to survive seventh grade.

This book made me cry. I'm a full-grown adult, and a novel for sixth graders made me cry. Of course I should also inform you that I cry at most kid movies, just talking about certain things makes me cry, and hearing a mere few bars of music from a movie that moves me will get the waterworks going. Nevertheless, I think I have excellent taste, so when a book makes me cry it is usually a keeper.

Wolkenstein did a fantastic job of getting us inside the head of a twelve-year-old boy. Will's character is moody, insecure, immature, with poor communication skills and all. The flaws are glaring, but his attributes shine too. He wants to be a good friend, he has a tender heart, a soft spot for animals. He is immensely relatable since several problems are self-made and looking on the bright side doesn't come easy to Will. 

The side characters also had enough layers to make them believable and important to Will's story. They had emotions and challenges of thier own which helped contribute to Will's own conflicts, but the kids behaved and reacted like kids, and the adults proved both helpful and a source of frustration as is typical for kids this age. Wolkenstein crafted these relationships with skill.

I experienced an emotional roller coaster following Will throughout his story. I felt empathy, irritation (at him and other characters as well), excitement, angst, heartbreak, frustration. The author wrote emotions so well through action and dialogue. Not telling us the character felt embarrassed, but showing us so expertly that I felt embarrassed too. I loved that about this book.

I didn't love how often the author used the word instinctively. Some variety would have been nice, as seeing it repeated multiple times pulled me out of the story instead of keep me engaged. My only other criticism would be that I would have appreciated more translation of the Hebrew terms and lines used in the story. I like that the story takes place in a setting with a large emphasis on Jewish culture and practices. It provided a window into a part of people's lives I have seen little of and gave me a better understanding of modern Jewish customs. Someone who is Jewish themselves and familiar with Hebrew terms wouldn't have any issue, but for many readers, being able to know what the phrases mean, and even some guidance on how to pronounce them would connect us to the story even more. 

This is a book I recommend every kid age 10-14 reads. Almost every kid can relate to Will on some level, and I think they will get a kick out of some of his misadventures. Especially kids who are deeply struggling to find their place and find their own strengths can really find a pal in Will. They can see similar challenges through his eyes and perhaps gain a few tools to help them navigate their own journey. 

Another group I would recommend this book to is authors aiming to write for this age group. There is so much we can learn from Wolkenstein with this title. His grasp of kids at the crossroads between childhood and young adulthood is exemplary. He doesn't force a moral or lessons on his reader or characters. He validates them as authentic preteens, growing pains and all. He masterfully allows the growth to emerge naturally and in spurts, after a whole lot of resistance, pouting, and selfishness. Just like in real life.

This title earns an easy 5 out of 5 starts, and is great for age 10 and above. There are some emotional scenes that might be harder for younger kids to understand, but there is nothing graphic or inappropriate.

https://www.aweebitbookish.com/2021/01/wendsday-weeviews-turtle-boy.html?m=1

3.25/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishing for providing this review copy !!

A very fun exploration of how meaningful and deep the middle grade genre can be!

Seventh grade is not going well for Will Levine. Kids at school bully him because of his funny-looking chin. His science teacher finds out about the turtles he spent his summer collecting from the marsh behind school and orders him to release them back into the wild. And for his bar mitzvah community service project, he has to go to the hospital to visit RJ, an older boy struggling with an incurable disease. Unfortunately, Will hates hospitals.

A great coming of age, and coming out of your shell story. Perfect for middle grades and up. Great for those that are struggling with their own story of finding their place in the world, and doing what is right for others and nature.

Wolkenstein beautifully blends the personal story with the ecological story.

I have already purchased this for my middle grade library, and can't wait to put it in readers hands.

TURTLE BOY is the kind of novel that will stick with you long after you finish the last page. 

The MC, Will, is called turtle boy by bullies at school—he has a condition called micrognathia with aplasia of the mandibular condyles. It's a condition where the chin continues to shrink during puberty and Will needs surgery to repair it. How this condition impacts him emotional, physically, and spiritually is only one aspect of this important MG novel.

TURTLE BOY is rich with many powerful topics: the environment and saving a marsh that developers want to destroy, grief, friendship, body image. Will's relationship with his rabbi is really special, and it shapes his perception of self as well as his perception of others. As Will studies for his bar mitzvah, it's through this relationship with the rabbi that Will gets to know RJ, a dying boy with mitochondrial disease, affecting 1 in 5,000. There novel is filled with love and compassion. It's filled with a powerful message of self-acceptance and what it means to be a true friend. 

Highly recommend, especially for those interested in bringing more diverse books into classrooms

Thank you Netgalley for giving us this book as an advanced reader copy.  I requested it for my 11 year old daughter Grace, who loves to read middle grade books.  Sadly, Grace couldn't get past chapter 5.  The book is about a middle school boy named Will who has a facial deformity that gives him the appearance of a turtle, hence the cruel nickname his fellow students have given him--Turtle Boy.  Although the writing was good, my daughter said the constant teasing Will was subjected to made it unable for her to continue reading, it disturbed her that much.

I will definitely recommend this book to kids who love Wonder, Fish In A Tree, Mr. Terrupt series. It is a great addition to our collection. Thank you.

Bullied because of a facial deformity, Will gains confidence in himself and purpose in his life when his Bar Mitzvah project leads him to help a hospitalized,  terminally ill young man. I couldn't believe that Will could hide a wild turtle in RJ's hospital room without being detected by nurses or cleaning people, but, with that one flaw, this is a moving testament to the power of reaching beyond oneself to help others.

This was a well-written exploration of "seizing the day," and of grief, with sympathetic well-rounded characters. I especially appreciated that the male characters were good models of non-toxic masculinity. The Jewish content was woven into the story naturally.

In M. Evan Wolkenstein’s debut novel we meet Will Levine, a seventh grader who is bullied at school by being called “turtle boy” because of his different-looking chin.
	Will’s world changes when begins to visit RJ, a sixteen-year-old boy, in the hospital.  He does it as part of his community service for his Bar Mitzvah.  Will said, “RJ constantly searched for new ways to send his mind and imagination outward.  To widen the circle of his life,” RJ teaches Will to come out of his shell by making connections and sharing creative energy to overcome fear and frustration.  RJ widened Will’s circle of life.
	Woklenstein does an amazing job capturing Will’s voice and attitudes as a middle schooler.  As a reader, you are invested in his journey.  You also really get to know the hearts of the secondary characters.  I loved that!
	For those who liked Wonder, you will be taken by this novel as well.

I loved this book.  I plan on purchasing this for my library and promoting it.  I enjoyed his relationship with his mom and best friend.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Netgalley and Random House Children's book for the ARC of Turtle Boy in exchange for an honest review.  I was not expecting to have this title knock my socks off- but it certainly did.  It reminds me a little bit of Wonder- but is BETTER!  It is not because both protagonists are dealing with a facial deformity.   The dynamic character change of the protagonist, Will, is phenomenal.  Readers are introduced to a grief-stricken boy and his mother.  They are both still grieving over the death of his father 8 years ago.  Even though Will was young, his death has prevented both of them from moving forward.  Will has inherited a facial deformity that is becoming more pronounced as he enters puberty.  Surgery is the only option since it is  interfering with his speech, eating, and breathing.  This is traumatic for Will since his dad died during an operation.  He has a real fear of doctors and hospitals.  He is teased as Turtle Boy and experiences bullying due to his lack of a chin. Metaphorically, he becomes a turtle retreating into his shell and missing out on great friends and opportunities. (terrific book jacket)  His Rabbi connects him with a terminally ill teenager to visit at a hospital.  This is service for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah.  What starts out as a "have to" situation transforms Will in such a special way.  The reader will never forget this friendship.  In the middle of all this, the reader is introduced to drumming, music and of course real turtles. For a debut writer, I am so impressed with how the secondary characters were written.  Each one is very special in their own way.  The reader will never be asking- now who is this character?  That is a trick with a long list of secondary characters. The description and richness of the writing brings great visualization- I felt like I was a part of many of the scenes- especially the last one- WOW! I would highly recommend this to teachers of 5-7 graders to use in the classroom since the story contains many of our standards.  There is so much more to this rich story that the reader needs to dive in and experience it themselves. There are many parts of the story- but it all weaves together beautifully- it was not written to just check off PC boxes. All the characters are authentic as well as the plot line.   Even though it is a longer story, it is a fast read. The layered themes along with the strong voice given to the protagonist make this a book worth your time to read.  I will even say that it is Newbery quality.  I hope it is not overlooked since this is a debut novel.  It in the very least should get a debut award.  I beg the author to consider writing a second story from RJ's point of view- what an amazing character you developed- I would love to read his backstory!!

There are so many things I love about this book, but the thing I love the most is Will and his narration. You could feel every emotion he felt, which I suppose is what a writer hopes for when they write, but I haven’t felt that way about a character/narrator in a very long time. The characters and their relationships with one another were fantastic.

On a personal note — I’m Catholic, so all I know about Judaism is from the bar mitzvahs I attended as a kid and a brief overview of the religion in Catholic school, so I loved learning more about the religion and what it means to celebrate and be part of it. I’m only relatively close with my religion out of guilt (Catholics are good at that!).

This book would be a great The Fault in our Stars read alike for middle grade readers! I really enjoyed the unlikely friendship between Will and RJ. Will is struggling with insecurities about his face and RJ is in the hospital slowly dying. Will is asked to visit RJ by his rabbi and their relationship starts out rocky. But eventually they warm up to each other by RJ wanting Will to complete his bucket list for him. The bucket lists pushes Will out of his comfort zone and he grows as well. A great read!

Enjoyed this a lot and will definitely be recommending it! Liked the character development and really liked the the view into being raised as a Jew and how important going to hebrew school is. The rabbi was a great character too.  Lots going on and for the most part it worked (the turtle in the hospital room was a bit hard to believe!). Thank you for the ARC

Kids who experience bullying at school will definitely relate to Will. He's never been the most popular kids, but due to a genetic malformation of his chin, he's a bigger target than ever. On top of the anxiety from his bullies, he's preparing for his Bar Mitzvah. He needs to learn a Torah portion, prepare a speech, and complete volunteer hours. After several failed volunteer experiences, his rabbi places Will in a hospital, his least favorite place. Will's assigned to visit with RJ, who has an incurable, and terminal, genetic condition. As their friendship grows, RJ asks Will for a favor. Since RJ can't anymore, he asks Will to help him complete his Bucket List, including swimming, going to a concert and a dance, and performing at the talent show. As Will completes each task he comes more and more out of his shell. Will really grows throughout the story and learns a lot about himself (and others) along the way.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really and truly loved this book. There were so many important issues, but Wolkenstein did a fabulous job weaving everything together. When I usually read a book like this, my heart just immediately attaches to the person in the hospital (RJ). But Will definitely stole the show and my heart. It was such an honest look at struggling with self-esteem and facing your fears. I thought the way grief was addressed was spot on as well. This book came out May 5 - I recommend it!

I really enjoyed this book. There is so much happening in this book, so much that it seems unlikely that the author could pull it off and still make a palatable middle grade novel.  However, I felt so connected to the character that it worked   This  novel has the main character struggling with crippling shyness, a cranio facial defect, an upcoming surgery, a terror of hospitals, befriending a dying teen (who does not miraculously recover), being raised by a single parent who still struggles with grief, grappling with environmental issues, all while preparing for his bar mitzvah. Surprisingly, the author deals with all of these subjects (and other middle school terrors) while still creating a realistic main character. By the time the novel ends, Will's character growth seems like a natural progression, much as the idea of the bar mitzvah transitioning from child to adult. The author takes his time with the plot and Will's story.  Will is 12, has a surgery looming to create a birth defect which absolutely terrifies him- his father died in a hospital after a routine surgery - likely due to the same defect that Will is having repaired.  This is also the year leading up to his bar mitzvah, and Will needs to do a bar mitzvah project -  forty hours of volunteer service. It's very clear Will does not want to do this and he passively aggressively turns down or doesn't show up to volunteer opportunities. So, his rabbi drags him to the hospital to spend time with a teen there. The friendship is not immediate - they ignore each other. So when the talking begins, it does feel natural, stilted, awkward, uncomfortable. . And when Ralph begins asking Will to live a little for him - Will's initial response is no.  And it stays no - until it doesn't. His friendship with Ralph gives Will the courage to do things he won't do for himself, and it changes him. However, the changes feel organic and natural for the character - he just learns to speak his own truths, and to discovered that people will be interested in them. I felt this was a sweet little novel and I can't wait to see what the author does next.