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Bearzi, Maddalena

The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle

48 pp. | Roaring Brook | May, 2025 | Trade ISBN 9781250901675 $19.99 | Ebook ISBN 9781250430571 $11.
(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alex Boersma. In a narrative beginning and ending at the Ría Lagartos nature reserve on the ­Yucatán Peninsula, readers follow the perilous and often enigmatic life of a single green sea turtle from birth to egg-laying adult. A cross-section image of a tiny green turtle still ­peacefully tucked away in its eggshell provides a moment of reprieve prior to the ­dangers that the hatchling (and siblings) will soon face. Circumstances for a newborn sea turtle are immediately perilous, with threats including everything from hungry predators to ­misdirecting light-pollution. Once in the ocean, and after a mysterious stretch of time in a young sea turtle’s development identified as the “lost years,” the focus shifts to sea turtle ­physiology, diet, defense strategies, migration habits, and other high-interest facts presented through approachable text and supportive illustrations. An emphasis on environmental protection, demonstrated by the actions of conservationists to save the turtle protagonist from a deadly drift net, adds drama. Marine biologist Bearzi skillfully balances scientific information with ­evocative present-tense writing: “The moon is standing witness to this astounding new chapter of our turtle’s life.” Boersma’s detailed graphite and digitally colored illustrations are accurate and expressive, with revealing depictions of life above and below the sand and waves, effective use of panels to show growth and time, and surprising shifts in perspective. Substantial back matter includes an author’s note alongside sources and additional scientific information.
Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

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