Aref does not want to leave Oman. He does not want to leave his elementary school, his friends, or his beloved grandfather, Sidi. He does not want to live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where his parents will go to graduate school. His mother is desperate for him to pack his suitcase—but he refuses. Finally, she calls Sidi for help. But rather than pack, Aref and Sidi go on a series of adventures. They visit the camp of a thousand stars deep in the desert, they sleep on Sidi’s roof, they fish in the Gulf of Oman and dream about going to India, they travel to the nature reserve to watch the sea turtles. At each stop, Sidi finds a small stone that he later slips into Aref’s suitcase—mementos of home.
This accessible, exquisite novel shines with gentle humor and explores themes of moving, family, nature, and immigration. Naomi Shihab Nye has created what Kirkus called “a warm and humorous peek at the profound and mundane details of moving from one country to another—a perfect pick for kids on the move.”
$14.95
Jumpstart your writing program with delight! The Dart invites kids to enjoy literature while learning to write.
Find related books in the Brave Writer Book Shop: The Turtle of Oman
$129.00
Jumpstart your writing program with delight! The Dart invites kids to enjoy literature while learning to write.
Our year-long program is delivered in 10 month-long lesson plans, released one month at a time.
Each handbook features a novel and immerses your child in the world of:
Discover how easy it is to teach writing using literature!
Our program uses copywork and dictation as the key tools to teach punctuation, spelling, and grammar naturally in context. Don't worry—we'll show you how.
Did you know that copywork and dictation are far more effective to teach writing skills than workbooks? It's true!
Each handbook contains:
Notes to go with a selected read aloud (book not provided)
Four passages taken from the novel for copywork and dictation, one per week
Easy-to-follow instructions to teach writing elements found in the passages
Playful grammar and punctuation activities that kids love
A simple, delightful writing exercise
Nine comprehension questions
Book club party ideas
Copywork passages on separate printable pages
Four-color design that looks gorgeous on tablets or printed at home
Find related books in the Brave Writer Book Shop: The Beatryce Prophecy, Charlotte's Web, Dragons in a Bag, Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective, Finn Family Moomintroll, Heartwood Hotel: A True Home, The House at Pooh Corner, Julieta and the Diamond Enigma, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Nim's Island, The One and Only Bob, Peacemaker, The Prairie Thief, Mr. Popper's Penguins, Rickshaw Girl, Sarah, Plain and Tall, Skunk and Badger, Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs, The Trumpet of the Swan, The Turtle of Oman, The Very, Very Far North, Ways to Make Sunshine, Willodeen, Wishtree, Wondrous Rex, The Year of the Dog