A Place for Turtles

by Melissa Stewart

Peachtree, 2016

for Ages 4–8

ISBN978‑1–56145-901–8 (HC)

ISBN978‑1–56145-902–5 (PB)

Purchase either of these books at your local independent bookseller or Amazon.com.

In simple yet informative language, A Place for Turtles introduces young readers to ways human action or inaction can affect turtle populations and opens kids’ minds to a wide range of environmental issues. Describing various examples, the text provides an intriguing look at turtles, at the ecosystems that support their survival, and at the efforts to save them. The author includes a list of things readers can do to help protect turtles in their own communities. Artist Higgins Bond’s glorious full-color illustrations vividly and accurately depict the turtles and their surroundings.

Honors and Awards

Alabama Camellia Book Award Nominee
Delaware Diamond Book Award Nominee
Green Earth Book Award
Massachusetts Book Award Finalist
National Science Teachers Association-Children’s Book Council
Outstanding Science Trade Book
National Science Teachers Association Recommended Title
Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award for Children’s Literature
Society of School Librarians International Book Awards, Honor Book, Science K‑12

Reviews

“Turtles have lived on Earth for more than 220 million years, but modern environmental stressors make their existence in several regions of the world a tenuous one. Using examples of specific turtles and the regions where they live, Stewart blends a storybook-style narrative with factual marginalia to present a wide range of ecological challenges in this newest installment in the A Place for … series. Interposed with colorful and highly detailed acrylic illustrations, topics such as pollution, invasive species, and ecosystem destruction are all mentioned. Maps cover virtually all parts of the United States and detail the types of turtles indigenous to each region. While the topic of the book is clearly turtles, the narrative raises points of conversation on a host of environmental issues and will get young minds thinking about the interconnectedness of organisms, ecology, and the impact of human actions on the world around them. A classroom-friendly blend of story and fact.” (Booklist)

“A tale of turtles, invasive species, loss of habitat, environmental tragedies, and the impact one organism has on the food web are all interwoven into A Place for Turtles by Melissa Stewart. The text presents a statement about turtles on one page and follows with a solution to the problem on the facing page. For example, the bog turtle is nesting in a habitat overrun by purple loosestrife. The facing page discusses the need to control the growth of invasive plants so habitat is not lost. Inset text provides up-close and personal information about growth, development, or current status of turtles. Each turtle has a featured set of pages within the book, increasing the reader’s awareness of the dangers turtles face across the country.” (Science and Children)

“Another strong title in the A Place for … series, this book … makes for an engaging way to present the information, giving readers the sense of digging deeper into the more specific information. The emphasis here is on being a good steward of the environment and the way that humans can ensure the continued survival of turtles. Stewart writes with an engaging tone, inviting young readers to explore the subject. Bond’s illustrations capture the beauty of both the habitat and the creatures. A fine choice for library nonfiction collections, this is a great introduction to turtles and an inspiring call to action for children.” (Waking Brain Cells blog)

Behind the Book

“This is the sixth and final (at least for now) book in the A Place for … series. When I submitted the proposal for A Place for Butterflies to my editor in 2001, I had no idea that I was embarking on an incredible 12-year journey.

“I have learned so much while researching and writing these books, and I’m delighted that the series includes an insect, a mammal, an amphibian, a reptile, and a variety of fishes and birds. Hopefully, young readers will come to understand that the creatures around us face many challenges, and that by working together, we can make a difference. As my titles suggest, my greatest hope is that there will always be a place for the vast array of living things that share our planet.”