RESCUE ON TURTLE BEACH

Adventure, an environmental theme, and a touch of magic come together in this early chapter book.

Young Max lives with his grandfather in the mangrove-ringed seaside town of Starry Bay. One summer morning as they prepare to go out on Grandpa’s old fishing boat, Max meets Sofia, whose family is summering there. Noticing a sea gull with fishing line wrapped around its leg, Max and Sofia follow it to a nearby mangrove forest where they help it, but more importantly they discover an old sailboat, the Wind Rider. It turns out the Wind Rider is a magical boat, and when Max accidentally takes hold of the helm, it transports them to Hawaii. There, adventure ensues as they help some sea turtle hatchlings threatened by light pollution make it safely from nest to sea. At the end of the book the author presents information on Hawaii and sea turtles as well as some suggestions on actions readers can take in their everyday lives to protect marine life. Much as in the Magic Tree House books in which readers learn history from Jack and Annie’s escapades, readers of this new illustrated chapter-book series learn about present-day environmental threats to wildlife in fast-paced, entertaining adventures. Max has sandy-brown hair and presents White. Sofia has dark hair and skin, but her ethnicity is not specified. Sequel Search for the Scarlet Macaws, publishing simultaneously, takes Max and Sofia to the Amazon rainforest.

Engaging, positive, and informative—perfect for newly minted chapter-book readers.