Overview

Eight beautifully evocative short stories from the pen of Governor General’s Award finalist Michelle Kadarusman On islands around the world—from Manhattan to Phillip Island, Australia, to Komodo Island and beyond—eight children face life-changing moments: escaping a flood; embracing their identity; discovering that the adults in their lives can ease the burden of their eco-anxiety. And although each child couldn’t be more different, one thing connects them all: a turtle swam into each of their lives at a critical moment, and left them changed.  Author Michelle Kadarusman has lived and travelled all around the world, and her elegant writing captures the spirit of the places that have left their mark on her. In We the Sea Turtles, she explores relevant themes like eco-anxiety, natural disaster, and how people ground themselves when they’ve been uprooted. One way, as this collection shows, is to tell ourselves stories: stories that make sense of life. 

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9781772782851

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Reviews

Praise for We the Sea Turtles: A collection of island stories “Turtles swim in and out of this collection of nine gentle stories. Canadian novelist Kadarusman uses short stories to deftly explore emotional turning points in young lives…. All have a strong environmental component; the writer’s own love for the natural world is evident. The settings are well depicted, and the racially, nationally, and economically diverse characters are distinctive….An exploration to be savored.”—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for We the Sea Turtles: A collection of island stories “Turtles swim in and out of this collection of nine gentle stories. Canadian novelist Kadarusman uses short stories to deftly explore emotional turning points in young lives…. All have a strong environmental component; the writer’s own love for the natural world is evident. The settings are well depicted, and the racially, nationally, and economically diverse characters are distinctive….An exploration to be savored.”—Kirkus Reviews “We the Sea Turtles doesn’t pull punches about the gravity of the global climate crisis or the destructiveness of natural disasters… However, the tone remains extremely optimistic. The hope comes from action, and, in most stories, the protagonist, rather than remaining passive, finds an active way to confront the future… There is lots of fruitful content for thought and discussion… Highly Recommended.”—CM Reviews

"Praise for We the Sea Turtles: A collection of island stories Quill & Quire ""2023 Fall Preview: Middle Grade and Graphic Novels"" Feature “Turtles swim in and out of this collection of nine gentle stories. Canadian novelist Kadarusman uses short stories to deftly explore emotional turning points in young lives…. All have a strong environmental component; the writer’s own love for the natural world is evident. The settings are well depicted, and the racially, nationally, and economically diverse characters are distinctive….An exploration to be savored.”—Kirkus Reviews “Ultimately, We the Sea Turtles is a book about the wonder of nature and the tenacity and beauty of its creatures, in particular the sea turtle. By encouraging kids to love and be inspired by their natural surroundings, author Michelle Kadarusman hopes to encourage a generation of children to play a positive role in the future of our planet. There is lots of fruitful content for thought and discussion. Highly Recommended.”—CM Reviews"

Author Information

Michelle Kadarusman grew up in Melbourne, Australia, and also lived many years throughout her father’s homeland of Indonesia before moving to Toronto in 2000. Her books have earned numerous nominations, including the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Ontario Library Association Silver Birch Awards, and the Green Earth Book Award. Her novels include The Theory of Hummingbirds, Girl of the Southern Sea, Music for Tigers, and Berani. Her first picture book, Room for More, was published in 2022. Michelle lives in Toronto, Canada and Byron Bay, Australia. 

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