The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle, written by Maddalena Bearzi and illustrated by Alex Boersma. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2025. $26.99 ages 6 and up

 

"The surf casts a few of them back 
to the shore, where their struggle 
to reach the water continues. 

Others swim as fast as they can, 
catching a breath of air 
whenever possible. 

Finally, a wave arrives, scooping 
our turtle friend from the land ... 

and out to sea!"

A nature reserve on the Yucatan Peninsula provides the hatching ground for the turtle we follow as she makes her way out of her egg, then out of her nest with the help of every other tiny hatchling as they all move up. Once at the surface, she faces many other dangers before making it to the water. There is no safe place for her. 

Readers will be immediately captivated as they watch this tiny being do her very best to make it to the ocean; many will not survive this first stage in their journey. Zigzagging across the sand, she avoids those predators that 'prowl the shores' looking for a quick meal. One hundred babies have hatched; less than thirty will make it to the ocean. If they make it into the water, they have a home for life. Danger lurks as seabirds make quick work of the tiny morsels. Soon, less than ten are left to find their way farther from shore. Finding a meal to assuage her hunger after a few days in the water becomes easier. For coming years, there is little known about the turtle. 

Because it is told as a personal story about this one green turtle, readers will remain involved in learning what scientists know about what might be happening with her; how she breathes, what and how she eats, her growth, how she evades the shark's looming mouth. Unfortunately, underwater fishing nets are a huge threat to her survival. Once caught, she is rescued by marine biologists and released. At age 30, her internal compass takes her back to the beach where she was born to make her own nest, lay her eggs, and begin yet another cycle of life.

Ms. Bearzi writes with passion for her subject in clear and compelling prose that holds attention throughout the reading. Ms. Boersma's artwork is drawn with graphite and digitally colored to stun readers with changing perspectives and brilliant images that are emotional and complementary to every word written. What an incredible life story this is! 

Back matter includes an author's note, actions that readers can take to protect these wondrous creatures, an illustrated list of turtle species, further facts that encourage learning even more, acknowledgments, and a bibliography.