What do you think?
Rate this book
Turtle Moon
Journey to the heart of the jungle in this unforgettable adventure from the author of bestselling and prize-winning The Last Bear. Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold, this is perfect for readers 8+.
Silver Trevelon’s parents aren’t happy. They haven’t been happy since the nursery they decorated started gathering cobwebs, waiting for the baby brother or sister that never came. So when Silver’s dad is invited to paint at a turtle rescue centre in Costa Rica, she hopes it’ll be just the adventure the family needs.
Under the hot tropical sun, Silver settles into life at the animal centre. She even witnesses a rare sighting of a leatherback turtle nesting on the beach. But when the turtle’s eggs are stolen, events take a dark and dangerous turn. Can Silver and her new friends track them down before it's too late? It’ll mean journeying into the heart of the jungle and uncovering long-buried secrets . . .
Silver Trevelon’s parents aren’t happy. They haven’t been happy since the nursery they decorated started gathering cobwebs, waiting for the baby brother or sister that never came. So when Silver’s dad is invited to paint at a turtle rescue centre in Costa Rica, she hopes it’ll be just the adventure the family needs.
Under the hot tropical sun, Silver settles into life at the animal centre. She even witnesses a rare sighting of a leatherback turtle nesting on the beach. But when the turtle’s eggs are stolen, events take a dark and dangerous turn. Can Silver and her new friends track them down before it's too late? It’ll mean journeying into the heart of the jungle and uncovering long-buried secrets . . .
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2024
73 people are currently reading
657 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Gold
7 books364 followersHannah Gold worked in the film and magazine industries before taking time out to pursue her dream of writing. She lives in Lincolnshire with her tortoise, her cat and her husband. This is her middle grade debut.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
August 4, 2025
"For the love of the animals and to the children- the guardians of a better tomorrow"
Turtle Moon is a truly wonderful book celebrating what it means to be alive and live in the moment .
Silver Trevelon is an only child; dad is an artist and mum is a vet but something is wrong- there is a deep sadness between her parents. They have been unable to have another child.
When an invitation arrives for Silver's dad to travel to Costa Rica to create paintings at at a turtle rescue centre, it is felt that the three of them should go in the hope they resolve their differences and possibly start afresh.
Upon arrival Silver befriends Rafa whose father works at the rescue centre led by Ana.
Silver learns what life is like in a rainforest and at the rescue centre- the natural environment and the abundance of wildlife and most importantly the precarious situation for turtles - becoming extinct from climate change, being eaten by animals and poachers and what is being done to save them.
Upon discovering rare greenback turtle eggs, everyone is aware how precious they are and their need to successfully hatch but when poachers strike during a storm Silver and Ravi set out on life and death journey to save them battling through rainforest and the threat of jaguars.
This is a story about love, healing and recognising the beauty and preciousness of the natural world
Following the superb The Last Bear, Finding Bear and The Lost Whale, Hannah Gold has surpassed herself with this beautiful and moving adventure story. Levi Penfold's illustrations are stunning and add another layer of depth to the book.
I cannot recommend this highly enough as a great adventure read for 9-12 year olds and a brilliant classroom read for upper key stage 2 -particularly if exploring rainforests and survival of species.
An absolute winner- one of the top children's books of 2024
Turtle Moon is a truly wonderful book celebrating what it means to be alive and live in the moment .
Silver Trevelon is an only child; dad is an artist and mum is a vet but something is wrong- there is a deep sadness between her parents. They have been unable to have another child.
When an invitation arrives for Silver's dad to travel to Costa Rica to create paintings at at a turtle rescue centre, it is felt that the three of them should go in the hope they resolve their differences and possibly start afresh.
Upon arrival Silver befriends Rafa whose father works at the rescue centre led by Ana.
Silver learns what life is like in a rainforest and at the rescue centre- the natural environment and the abundance of wildlife and most importantly the precarious situation for turtles - becoming extinct from climate change, being eaten by animals and poachers and what is being done to save them.
Upon discovering rare greenback turtle eggs, everyone is aware how precious they are and their need to successfully hatch but when poachers strike during a storm Silver and Ravi set out on life and death journey to save them battling through rainforest and the threat of jaguars.
This is a story about love, healing and recognising the beauty and preciousness of the natural world
Following the superb The Last Bear, Finding Bear and The Lost Whale, Hannah Gold has surpassed herself with this beautiful and moving adventure story. Levi Penfold's illustrations are stunning and add another layer of depth to the book.
I cannot recommend this highly enough as a great adventure read for 9-12 year olds and a brilliant classroom read for upper key stage 2 -particularly if exploring rainforests and survival of species.
An absolute winner- one of the top children's books of 2024
February 10, 2025
Hannah Gold is hard op weg om mijn favoriete kinderboeken auteur te worden.
Ten eerste weet ze moeilijke thema's op een kinderlijke manier over te brengen. Dat geeft het boek veel diepte. Silvers ouders hebben bijvoorbeeld problemen met vruchtbaarheid en dat zorgt voor een negatieve sfeer. Haar moeder heeft geen energie en is altijd verdrietig. Haar vader schilderd alleen nog maar in donkere kleuren. En Silver snapt er niks van. Een actueel thema!
Verder gaat dit boek vooral over de bedreigde schildpadden en het redden van hun eitjes. Een goede bewustwording voor de kinderen, denk ik. Doormiddel van een spannend verhaal, leren ze ook dat er dieren bedreigd worden en leren ze daar empathie voor krijgen.
Ten eerste weet ze moeilijke thema's op een kinderlijke manier over te brengen. Dat geeft het boek veel diepte. Silvers ouders hebben bijvoorbeeld problemen met vruchtbaarheid en dat zorgt voor een negatieve sfeer. Haar moeder heeft geen energie en is altijd verdrietig. Haar vader schilderd alleen nog maar in donkere kleuren. En Silver snapt er niks van. Een actueel thema!
Verder gaat dit boek vooral over de bedreigde schildpadden en het redden van hun eitjes. Een goede bewustwording voor de kinderen, denk ik. Doormiddel van een spannend verhaal, leren ze ook dat er dieren bedreigd worden en leren ze daar empathie voor krijgen.
October 6, 2024
Another fabulous book by Hannah Gold, i blooming loved it.
Silvers parents are not happy, they have been having fertility issues and Silver can tell something isn't right, her dad and mum have lost their sparkle. After winning a new contract her dad whisks them away to Costa Rica, where Silver can experience new joys with the turtles at a sanctuary and hopefully her parents can find their happiness again.
This was a wonderful book on so many levels, I loved Silver, and how she didn't quite fit in at home, but she found her place amongst the trees and animals. How her parents healed in their own ways and how the author brought to the forefront the plights of turtles and people who care for them.
Silvers parents are not happy, they have been having fertility issues and Silver can tell something isn't right, her dad and mum have lost their sparkle. After winning a new contract her dad whisks them away to Costa Rica, where Silver can experience new joys with the turtles at a sanctuary and hopefully her parents can find their happiness again.
This was a wonderful book on so many levels, I loved Silver, and how she didn't quite fit in at home, but she found her place amongst the trees and animals. How her parents healed in their own ways and how the author brought to the forefront the plights of turtles and people who care for them.
October 20, 2025
Another great book from one of my favourite children's authors. Some sensitive themes, a strong environmental message, animals, family and adventure - a lovely read.
November 30, 2025
3.5 stars from Mr 9.5
Beautiful writing and very informative!
My 9.5 said that he liked it when Hannah Gold’s books focused on one animal rather than the whole turtle colony.
Beautiful writing and very informative!
My 9.5 said that he liked it when Hannah Gold’s books focused on one animal rather than the whole turtle colony.
October 23, 2024
5.5/5💙🐢🌝
"Turtle Moon" by Hannah Gold
🐢My fascinating bookish journey with Hannah Gold's books began a couple of years ago. Time flies, but her stories continue to warm my heart and soul, opening new horizons and vivid places around the world. Turtle Moon is yet another gem by the incredibly talented Hannah Gold that instantly stole my heart.
🐢The Plot: We follow Silver Trevelon, a girl who loves climbing trees and is taking her first steps in painting. Her life with her family is almost perfect—except for a few issues that cast a shadow over their happiness. So, when her father, a children's writer and illustrator, receives an invitation to travel to Costa Rica to paint a turtle rescue center, he thinks it's the perfect opportunity for the family. Upon their arrival, their unforgettable, dangerous, and miraculous adventures begin.
💙The Writing Style: Like the previous books by Hannah Gold, this one grabbed my attention from the first pages. It was so beautifully written at a fast pace (at least the writing pace felt dynamic to me). There are a lot of tender and tense twists and turns. There are a lot of scenes that include light, sarcastic humor that made me giggle. There are a lot of dangerous adventures that took my breath away. And, of course, there were heart-squeezing episodes that made me sob. But still, there was a silver lining in such episodes that encouraged, inspired, and gave hope to move on. The story is full of illuminative, curious facts about animals, nature, and the spot the main characters settled in. Turtle Moon is a mix of wisdom, morals, adventures, love, friendship, cute facts, and discoveries.
💙The Characters: All the characters are so adorable. They are well-thought-out and establish a solid emotional bridge with the reader. All their thoughts, feelings, inner torturers, and displays of happiness are depicted brilliantly. The people and animals are multilayered and multifaced in the positive sense of the word. I kept living with all of them even after I finished reading this fantastic story.
🌝Fave quote: "Life is creation. You hear that, sparkie? Life IS creation. And creation comes in many forms."
🤗Would I read other books by this author? Can't wait!
🌝My humble rating is: 5.5/5
🌝P.S. I gave my highest humble rating to this book just because it felt ideal and totally perfect for me and my son in all aspects – plot, characters, writing style, and morals.
If I had read Turtle Moon as a teenager, I would have been grateful for it.
If I had read Turtle Moon a couple of years ago, during a dark time in my life, I would have been grateful for it as well.
Still, I'm enormously grateful to Hannah Gold for writing this book, which maintains a perfect balance between deep understanding and tremendous support and inspiration. While reading, I found myself reading between the lines, realizing that only someone who has gone through such challenges could write a book so deep, wise, and motivating.
Upon reaching the acknowledgments, I realized I wasn't mistaken. I am endlessly grateful to this wonderful writer for her honesty. In my humble opinion, this book became personal not only for the author but also for many mothers around the world, myself included. Thank you, Hannah Gold.
P.P.S. The scene with a butterfly is one of my favorite ones.
I hope you'll enjoy reading this touching, brilliant, and wise novel for young minds as much as I did!
"Turtle Moon" is available on Amazon.
Anyway, thank you for dropping by and reading this post!
Stay safe, take care, and happy reading!
"Turtle Moon" by Hannah Gold
🐢My fascinating bookish journey with Hannah Gold's books began a couple of years ago. Time flies, but her stories continue to warm my heart and soul, opening new horizons and vivid places around the world. Turtle Moon is yet another gem by the incredibly talented Hannah Gold that instantly stole my heart.
🐢The Plot: We follow Silver Trevelon, a girl who loves climbing trees and is taking her first steps in painting. Her life with her family is almost perfect—except for a few issues that cast a shadow over their happiness. So, when her father, a children's writer and illustrator, receives an invitation to travel to Costa Rica to paint a turtle rescue center, he thinks it's the perfect opportunity for the family. Upon their arrival, their unforgettable, dangerous, and miraculous adventures begin.
💙The Writing Style: Like the previous books by Hannah Gold, this one grabbed my attention from the first pages. It was so beautifully written at a fast pace (at least the writing pace felt dynamic to me). There are a lot of tender and tense twists and turns. There are a lot of scenes that include light, sarcastic humor that made me giggle. There are a lot of dangerous adventures that took my breath away. And, of course, there were heart-squeezing episodes that made me sob. But still, there was a silver lining in such episodes that encouraged, inspired, and gave hope to move on. The story is full of illuminative, curious facts about animals, nature, and the spot the main characters settled in. Turtle Moon is a mix of wisdom, morals, adventures, love, friendship, cute facts, and discoveries.
💙The Characters: All the characters are so adorable. They are well-thought-out and establish a solid emotional bridge with the reader. All their thoughts, feelings, inner torturers, and displays of happiness are depicted brilliantly. The people and animals are multilayered and multifaced in the positive sense of the word. I kept living with all of them even after I finished reading this fantastic story.
🌝Fave quote: "Life is creation. You hear that, sparkie? Life IS creation. And creation comes in many forms."
🤗Would I read other books by this author? Can't wait!
🌝My humble rating is: 5.5/5
🌝P.S. I gave my highest humble rating to this book just because it felt ideal and totally perfect for me and my son in all aspects – plot, characters, writing style, and morals.
If I had read Turtle Moon as a teenager, I would have been grateful for it.
If I had read Turtle Moon a couple of years ago, during a dark time in my life, I would have been grateful for it as well.
Still, I'm enormously grateful to Hannah Gold for writing this book, which maintains a perfect balance between deep understanding and tremendous support and inspiration. While reading, I found myself reading between the lines, realizing that only someone who has gone through such challenges could write a book so deep, wise, and motivating.
Upon reaching the acknowledgments, I realized I wasn't mistaken. I am endlessly grateful to this wonderful writer for her honesty. In my humble opinion, this book became personal not only for the author but also for many mothers around the world, myself included. Thank you, Hannah Gold.
P.P.S. The scene with a butterfly is one of my favorite ones.
I hope you'll enjoy reading this touching, brilliant, and wise novel for young minds as much as I did!
"Turtle Moon" is available on Amazon.
Anyway, thank you for dropping by and reading this post!
Stay safe, take care, and happy reading!
December 8, 2024
“Voor alle moedrs van de wereld - met alle soorten kinderen, en ook zonder. Opdat jullie licht fel blijft stralen.”
Bij het lezen van deze zin aan het begin van het boek, heb ik direct al een brok in mijn keel…. Dat gaat wat worden..
Dit boek vertelt het verhaal van Silver (een meisje van 11), haar vader die schilder is en haar moeder die dierenarts is. Er zijn de laatste tijd grote spanningen in huis door de lege babykamer. Al jaren proberen haar ouders een broertje of zusje te krijgen voor Silver, maar tevergeefs. Haar vader besluit een opdracht aan te nemen om op Costa Rica te gaan werken bij een schildpadopvang voor 4 maanden. Haar moeder is aanvankelijk niet enthousiast en Silver eigenlijk ook niet, maar ze gaan toch.
“Onder hen strekte zich een oneindige jungle uit, zover het oog reikte. Een dansende, wuivende zee van groen.”
Ze logeren in een hutje in het opvangcentrum in de jungle. Een prachtige, maar ook gevaarlijke plek vol spinnen, jaguars en slangen.
“Als je in je eentje de jungle in gaat, raak je verdwaald en zul je waarschijnlijk sterven.”
Maaaaar ook schildpadden! Kleine en grote, jonge en oude. Silver vindt het fantastisch en ook haar vader straalt weer. Alleen haar moeder heeft moeite om te wennen en haar verdriet los te laten.
“Dat haar moeder de laatste maanden meer tijd had besteed aan een kind dat nog niet eens was geboren dan aan het kind dat ze al had.”
Silver raakt bevriend met Rafi en Rápida, zijn baby-luiaard. Samen met hen gaat ze op pad. Hij leert haar alles over de schildpadden en Turtle Beach. Ze gaan samen stiekem de wacht houden bij de schildpadden en eieren op het strand. En dan ontdekt ze een zeldzame lederschildpad die zijn eieren op het strand legt. Als de eieren vervolgens gestolen worden, begint het avontuur pas echt!
Het is weer een prachtig boek! Zo mooi geschreven (én vertaald!). Heel beschrijvend, je ziet de prachige natuur gewoon voor je, voelt de warmte en de wind, en leeft helemaal mee in het verdriet van de moeder, maar ook in Silver die zich niet gezien voelt. Tegelijkertijd de spanning als ze achter de eierdieven aanjagen.
“Waarom was niets wat Silver deed ooit genoeg? Waarom was zij nooit goed genoeg?”
.
Een boek waar je als lezer ook een hoop leert over de dieren die op uit sterven staan en hoe belangrijk het is dat mensen zich daar bewust van zijn. Maar dat alles zonder dwingende of belerende toon. Gewoon door een mooi verhaal te vertellen. Oh en hoe leuk dat ook Rio en Marina nog even een cameo hebben ;-)
Echt een pareltje weer!
#milieu #bedreigdedieren #schildpadden #lederschildpad #turtlebeach #schildpadopvang #bookstagram
Bij het lezen van deze zin aan het begin van het boek, heb ik direct al een brok in mijn keel…. Dat gaat wat worden..
Dit boek vertelt het verhaal van Silver (een meisje van 11), haar vader die schilder is en haar moeder die dierenarts is. Er zijn de laatste tijd grote spanningen in huis door de lege babykamer. Al jaren proberen haar ouders een broertje of zusje te krijgen voor Silver, maar tevergeefs. Haar vader besluit een opdracht aan te nemen om op Costa Rica te gaan werken bij een schildpadopvang voor 4 maanden. Haar moeder is aanvankelijk niet enthousiast en Silver eigenlijk ook niet, maar ze gaan toch.
“Onder hen strekte zich een oneindige jungle uit, zover het oog reikte. Een dansende, wuivende zee van groen.”
Ze logeren in een hutje in het opvangcentrum in de jungle. Een prachtige, maar ook gevaarlijke plek vol spinnen, jaguars en slangen.
“Als je in je eentje de jungle in gaat, raak je verdwaald en zul je waarschijnlijk sterven.”
Maaaaar ook schildpadden! Kleine en grote, jonge en oude. Silver vindt het fantastisch en ook haar vader straalt weer. Alleen haar moeder heeft moeite om te wennen en haar verdriet los te laten.
“Dat haar moeder de laatste maanden meer tijd had besteed aan een kind dat nog niet eens was geboren dan aan het kind dat ze al had.”
Silver raakt bevriend met Rafi en Rápida, zijn baby-luiaard. Samen met hen gaat ze op pad. Hij leert haar alles over de schildpadden en Turtle Beach. Ze gaan samen stiekem de wacht houden bij de schildpadden en eieren op het strand. En dan ontdekt ze een zeldzame lederschildpad die zijn eieren op het strand legt. Als de eieren vervolgens gestolen worden, begint het avontuur pas echt!
Het is weer een prachtig boek! Zo mooi geschreven (én vertaald!). Heel beschrijvend, je ziet de prachige natuur gewoon voor je, voelt de warmte en de wind, en leeft helemaal mee in het verdriet van de moeder, maar ook in Silver die zich niet gezien voelt. Tegelijkertijd de spanning als ze achter de eierdieven aanjagen.
“Waarom was niets wat Silver deed ooit genoeg? Waarom was zij nooit goed genoeg?”
.
Een boek waar je als lezer ook een hoop leert over de dieren die op uit sterven staan en hoe belangrijk het is dat mensen zich daar bewust van zijn. Maar dat alles zonder dwingende of belerende toon. Gewoon door een mooi verhaal te vertellen. Oh en hoe leuk dat ook Rio en Marina nog even een cameo hebben ;-)
Echt een pareltje weer!
#milieu #bedreigdedieren #schildpadden #lederschildpad #turtlebeach #schildpadopvang #bookstagram
May 28, 2025
I started reading this seies of books because the children in the classroom were reading them. Not just one, but moving from book to book. I was curious about what was grabbing their attention.
This one was such an amazingly emotional book. One of the fantastic things about this series of children's books is that they are written in such a way that adults as well as children can appreciate the writing. They are so layered that the emotion of the writing can have an effect in a deep and unexpected way for both as in the case in this book.
The Lost Whale I said was the best book so far - this is now the best book so far. I am looking forward to The Lone Husky when it comes out this October.
This one was such an amazingly emotional book. One of the fantastic things about this series of children's books is that they are written in such a way that adults as well as children can appreciate the writing. They are so layered that the emotion of the writing can have an effect in a deep and unexpected way for both as in the case in this book.
The Lost Whale I said was the best book so far - this is now the best book so far. I am looking forward to The Lone Husky when it comes out this October.
August 11, 2024
Another fantastic book from Hannah Gold, very well written which makes you finish the book in one sitting! Packed with a powerful message about looking after our planet and the turtles! Touches on some themes that can be very sensitive for families but carried out so well which could help children navigate that journey in life. Every child should read this book alongside her other three great books! It’s a book that will remain with me for some time! ❤️❤️❤️
June 30, 2025
3.5 stars
Very sweet story about turtles in Costa Rica, I loved that the focus was on the importance of protecting turtle eggs.
Very sweet story about turtles in Costa Rica, I loved that the focus was on the importance of protecting turtle eggs.
July 27, 2025
4.5⭐️
Another beautiful story to read with my class.
So great to research all about the leatherback turtle too!! 🐢
Another beautiful story to read with my class.
So great to research all about the leatherback turtle too!! 🐢
September 24, 2025
Re-reading this book in September 2025 and I loved it even more than the first time!💛🐢
December 17, 2025
oldukça başarılı bir kitap, özellikle çocukları küçümsemeyip onlara derin felsefi şeyler anlatma nezaketi nedeniyle okumaya ve okutmaya değer
September 5, 2024
CW: Infertility, Secondary Infertility, Child Loss.
‘Turtle Moon’ is the latest offering from multi award-winning, internationally best-selling author Hannah Gold, who is a name that should be on every library shelf, in every book store and in every home. Expertly blending themes of environmentalism and animal conservation with strong, modern characters from a wealth of backgrounds – Hannah has cemented herself as writer for all, and I have to say that this book, is by far, Hannah’s most moving.
Without spoilers (there is an afterword on this subject), Hannah has poured her heart and soul onto the pages of this book and it really shows. It’s a raw and emotional story from start to finish, and she has taken us, the readers, on a wild ride through the Costa Rican jungle in this twisty, page-turner of a book and along with Hannah’s backlist, I will be continuing to emphatically recommend her books for years to come.
Silver is a wild child, never happier than when she is climbing trees, flyaway hair under a cap and her favourite football top on. But things at home have been really tense lately. Mum is snappy, Dad’s art is a lot less bright greens and blues, and more greys, blacks and muted tones. One day, Dad gets a letter, to create a mural for an animal sanctuary – all the way in Costa Rica! Off they go – all needing a little something out of this four-month trip. Mum needs to rest and relax, Dad needs to complete this art piece and Silver?
She needs to explore…
What comes next is a stunning tale of family, adventure, environmentalism, conservation and danger, as Silver and her family each adjust to life in the jungle. It’s fast-paced (I read this in two sittings, but only because I had to go to work in the middle…), heart-warming and tear-jerking in equal measure, a perfect story for all.
A very, VERY easy 5 stars from me.
I have been a fan of Hannah’s since 2020 when I got given a proof copy of ‘The Last Bear’, so I need to say, for the fourth time, a huge thank you to Hannah, NetGalley and the team at Harper Collins for an advanced copy, in exchange for another honest review.
‘Turtle Moon’ is the latest offering from multi award-winning, internationally best-selling author Hannah Gold, who is a name that should be on every library shelf, in every book store and in every home. Expertly blending themes of environmentalism and animal conservation with strong, modern characters from a wealth of backgrounds – Hannah has cemented herself as writer for all, and I have to say that this book, is by far, Hannah’s most moving.
Without spoilers (there is an afterword on this subject), Hannah has poured her heart and soul onto the pages of this book and it really shows. It’s a raw and emotional story from start to finish, and she has taken us, the readers, on a wild ride through the Costa Rican jungle in this twisty, page-turner of a book and along with Hannah’s backlist, I will be continuing to emphatically recommend her books for years to come.
Silver is a wild child, never happier than when she is climbing trees, flyaway hair under a cap and her favourite football top on. But things at home have been really tense lately. Mum is snappy, Dad’s art is a lot less bright greens and blues, and more greys, blacks and muted tones. One day, Dad gets a letter, to create a mural for an animal sanctuary – all the way in Costa Rica! Off they go – all needing a little something out of this four-month trip. Mum needs to rest and relax, Dad needs to complete this art piece and Silver?
She needs to explore…
What comes next is a stunning tale of family, adventure, environmentalism, conservation and danger, as Silver and her family each adjust to life in the jungle. It’s fast-paced (I read this in two sittings, but only because I had to go to work in the middle…), heart-warming and tear-jerking in equal measure, a perfect story for all.
A very, VERY easy 5 stars from me.
I have been a fan of Hannah’s since 2020 when I got given a proof copy of ‘The Last Bear’, so I need to say, for the fourth time, a huge thank you to Hannah, NetGalley and the team at Harper Collins for an advanced copy, in exchange for another honest review.
November 17, 2024
Turtle Moon is, without a doubt, Hannah Gold’s best yet. I absolutely adored it!
February 6, 2025
Just WOW! The perfect book to get me out of my reading slump for sure.
The book brought me back to my roadtrip to Costa Rica a couple years ago, and it was so heart warming to be back in that environment.
Sadly, on page 116 there was a spelling mistake found - so I hope it gets corrected for the future prints.
The book brought me back to my roadtrip to Costa Rica a couple years ago, and it was so heart warming to be back in that environment.
Sadly, on page 116 there was a spelling mistake found - so I hope it gets corrected for the future prints.
February 19, 2025
Omg, I absolutely love this book! Hannah Gold has done it again—she’s unbeatable when it comes to writing middle-grade stories packed with adventure and heart. And this time, we get to dive into the world of turtles! From learning about the hatchery process and patrolling system to dealing with poachers, it was fascinating. I swear, I’d love to be like Silver—especially the day she saw a leatherback turtle. How amazing is it that they’re the largest turtles in the world, don’t have scales, and have a hard shell? So cool.
One of my favorite things about this book is how much it focuses on family. In Turtle Moon, Silver’s parents are dealing with infertility after the loss of their child—a deeply sensitive topic—and you can feel how much it affected them mentally, especially her mom. Hannah Gold has this incredible way of tugging at your heartstrings with their struggles, and while the closure Silver finds with her parents felt a bit brief, it was still so touching.
And the friendships? Just wholesome. I loved seeing how Silver’s bond with Rafi (and his sloth!) grew—not just with the people at the sanctuary but also with the animals she encountered during her temporary escape to Costa Rica.
This book captures so much—Silver’s quiet struggles as she adjusts to a new environment, the friendships she formed, and the healing journey she shared with her family. If you’re looking for a book to gift your kids, nieces, or nephews, anything by Hannah Gold is a perfect pick!
One of my favorite things about this book is how much it focuses on family. In Turtle Moon, Silver’s parents are dealing with infertility after the loss of their child—a deeply sensitive topic—and you can feel how much it affected them mentally, especially her mom. Hannah Gold has this incredible way of tugging at your heartstrings with their struggles, and while the closure Silver finds with her parents felt a bit brief, it was still so touching.
And the friendships? Just wholesome. I loved seeing how Silver’s bond with Rafi (and his sloth!) grew—not just with the people at the sanctuary but also with the animals she encountered during her temporary escape to Costa Rica.
This book captures so much—Silver’s quiet struggles as she adjusts to a new environment, the friendships she formed, and the healing journey she shared with her family. If you’re looking for a book to gift your kids, nieces, or nephews, anything by Hannah Gold is a perfect pick!
September 12, 2024
Another amazing book from Hannah Gold. This time she is highlighting the plight of the sea turtles.
A beautifully written story about a young girl, Silver, whose family goes to live at a turtle/animal sanctuary in Costa Rica. There Silver learns about how endangered the sea turtles are, the dangers that humans and nature can inflict on the sea turtles and how we can be educated in protecting them and their environment.
Added to this there is Silvers parents who are struggling with being able to conceive another baby, and how this is putting a strain on their relationship and how it makes Silver feel.
A heartwarming story, 4 and a half stars.
A beautifully written story about a young girl, Silver, whose family goes to live at a turtle/animal sanctuary in Costa Rica. There Silver learns about how endangered the sea turtles are, the dangers that humans and nature can inflict on the sea turtles and how we can be educated in protecting them and their environment.
Added to this there is Silvers parents who are struggling with being able to conceive another baby, and how this is putting a strain on their relationship and how it makes Silver feel.
A heartwarming story, 4 and a half stars.
April 6, 2025
Primesc temă să fac o recenzie de carte, super.
Publicata in 2024-2025...nu mai e super.
Normal ca aveam de unde alege cand vine vorba de carti, problema ca nu prea vreau sa ii prezint profei o carte care in loc de lista de cuprins are lista cu trigger warnings :)
Asa ca, in loc sa-mi termin cartea MUUUULT asteptata de la Jagger Cole sau cea de la Khai Hara, ambele care romantizeaza mafia, i-am cerut vecinei mele inca o carte de copii:) si daca tot am scris o recenzie de 3 pagini, o sa las o parte si aici. Prima si ultima recenzie elevata pe care o sa o postez
Viața lui Silver este dată peste cap atunci când părinții ei decid să se mute într-o rezervație destinată salvării țestoaselor din Costa Rica timp de 4 luni, însă ceea ce ea nu se aștepta să se întâmple era să își facă un prieten alături de care să trăiască cea mai mare aventură de până atunci. Cei doi copii, împreună cu un pui de leneș pe nume Speedy, își unesc forțele pentru a apăra ouăle unei țestoase leatherback, rar întâlnită pe acea parte de plajă, și ajung să înfrunte pericolele junglei dense și întunecate alergând pe urmele braconierilor.
Ceea ce m-a făcut să dau o șansă cărților lui Hannah Gold, este faptul că abordează subiecte atât de actuale și totuși atât de slab acoperite în media din zilele noastre și anume, încălzirea globală, tema cărților The Last Bear și Finding Bear care au reprezentat primul meu contact cu această autoare și care m-au făcut să aștept cu nerăbdare poveștile ce vor urma, precum și braconajul, o temă secundară în Turtle Moon. Legătura care se formează între Silver și țestoasa leatherback care îi încredințează ouăle sale este cu atât mai puternică datorită lipsei unei comunicări verbale între cele două și a inocenței copilei. „She kept picturing the way the mother leatherback had gazed up at her as she left her eggs in Silver’s safekeeping. How that look, from one species to another, had been laced with trust.” (p. 271) Mai mult decât atât, deși universul creat este unul ficțional, autoarea include la sfârșitul fiecărei cărți surse de informații adiționale atât despre animale, cât și despre locul în care se desfășoară acțiunea, organizații reale care se ocupă de astfel de cazuri și cărora le putem dona și alte surse de la carte la carte.
Deși la bază este o carte de copii, Turtle Moon conține și anumite aspecte care, deși sunt prezentate din prisma unui copil, doar un adult poate să le asimileze. În acest caz, familia lui Silver este profund afectată de încercările nereușite ale părinților de a mai avea un copil. De la camera bebelușului rămasă abandonată și până la certurile tot mai dese ale părinților, Silver simte din plin toate aceste tensiuni, „... these days her mother seemed to have more time for a child who wasn’t even born than for the one she already had.” (p. 107-108) În urma tuturor peripețiilor prin care trec în timpul celor 4 luni petrecute în Costa Rica, membrii familiei trec printr-o adevărată evoluție: tatăl decide să ilustreze din nou cărți de copii, deoarece subiectul nu mai este unul care îi provoacă durere, mama realizează stresul transmis în mod indirect fetei și își găsește un nou scop în viață, propria sa rezervație în care salvează animale, iar Silver se reîntoarce acasă cu familia pe care nu credea că o să o mai aibă și cu o dragoste mai mare pentru animale.
Ca un ultim argument, această carte se citește ușor și repede, datorită fontului mare și a spațiului dintre rânduri, două aspecte pentru care prefer să citesc online pentru a avea deplin control asupra lor, nefiind cazul de această dată. Ritmul în care este prezentată acțiunea este unul potrivit, cât să nu simți că au rămas aspecte neacoperite sau slab dezvoltate, iar pasajele descriptive apar strict că te imerseze în universul creat. Acest lucru este realizat și de ilustrațiile prezente atunci când sunt povestea ajunge într-un moment important. Nu lipsesc nici pasajele comice care te fac să empatizezi și mai mult cu personajul. „She was so hungry, she even reluctantly accepted one of his proffered bananas […] They were still yuck.” (p. 291)
Această carte merită citită atât de un copil care iubește animalele sau vrea să descopere mai multe de aventurile altor copii, cât și de un adult care își dorește o lectură ușoară, dar bogată în semnificații și din care poate învăța mai multe despre impactul pe care oamenii îl au asupra altor viețuitoare, importanța pe care un prieten o are la bine, dar mai ales la greu, și cum îi afectează pe cei mici problemele adulților.
Publicata in 2024-2025...nu mai e super.
Normal ca aveam de unde alege cand vine vorba de carti, problema ca nu prea vreau sa ii prezint profei o carte care in loc de lista de cuprins are lista cu trigger warnings :)
Asa ca, in loc sa-mi termin cartea MUUUULT asteptata de la Jagger Cole sau cea de la Khai Hara, ambele care romantizeaza mafia, i-am cerut vecinei mele inca o carte de copii:) si daca tot am scris o recenzie de 3 pagini, o sa las o parte si aici. Prima si ultima recenzie elevata pe care o sa o postez
Viața lui Silver este dată peste cap atunci când părinții ei decid să se mute într-o rezervație destinată salvării țestoaselor din Costa Rica timp de 4 luni, însă ceea ce ea nu se aștepta să se întâmple era să își facă un prieten alături de care să trăiască cea mai mare aventură de până atunci. Cei doi copii, împreună cu un pui de leneș pe nume Speedy, își unesc forțele pentru a apăra ouăle unei țestoase leatherback, rar întâlnită pe acea parte de plajă, și ajung să înfrunte pericolele junglei dense și întunecate alergând pe urmele braconierilor.
Ceea ce m-a făcut să dau o șansă cărților lui Hannah Gold, este faptul că abordează subiecte atât de actuale și totuși atât de slab acoperite în media din zilele noastre și anume, încălzirea globală, tema cărților The Last Bear și Finding Bear care au reprezentat primul meu contact cu această autoare și care m-au făcut să aștept cu nerăbdare poveștile ce vor urma, precum și braconajul, o temă secundară în Turtle Moon. Legătura care se formează între Silver și țestoasa leatherback care îi încredințează ouăle sale este cu atât mai puternică datorită lipsei unei comunicări verbale între cele două și a inocenței copilei. „She kept picturing the way the mother leatherback had gazed up at her as she left her eggs in Silver’s safekeeping. How that look, from one species to another, had been laced with trust.” (p. 271) Mai mult decât atât, deși universul creat este unul ficțional, autoarea include la sfârșitul fiecărei cărți surse de informații adiționale atât despre animale, cât și despre locul în care se desfășoară acțiunea, organizații reale care se ocupă de astfel de cazuri și cărora le putem dona și alte surse de la carte la carte.
Deși la bază este o carte de copii, Turtle Moon conține și anumite aspecte care, deși sunt prezentate din prisma unui copil, doar un adult poate să le asimileze. În acest caz, familia lui Silver este profund afectată de încercările nereușite ale părinților de a mai avea un copil. De la camera bebelușului rămasă abandonată și până la certurile tot mai dese ale părinților, Silver simte din plin toate aceste tensiuni, „... these days her mother seemed to have more time for a child who wasn’t even born than for the one she already had.” (p. 107-108) În urma tuturor peripețiilor prin care trec în timpul celor 4 luni petrecute în Costa Rica, membrii familiei trec printr-o adevărată evoluție: tatăl decide să ilustreze din nou cărți de copii, deoarece subiectul nu mai este unul care îi provoacă durere, mama realizează stresul transmis în mod indirect fetei și își găsește un nou scop în viață, propria sa rezervație în care salvează animale, iar Silver se reîntoarce acasă cu familia pe care nu credea că o să o mai aibă și cu o dragoste mai mare pentru animale.
Ca un ultim argument, această carte se citește ușor și repede, datorită fontului mare și a spațiului dintre rânduri, două aspecte pentru care prefer să citesc online pentru a avea deplin control asupra lor, nefiind cazul de această dată. Ritmul în care este prezentată acțiunea este unul potrivit, cât să nu simți că au rămas aspecte neacoperite sau slab dezvoltate, iar pasajele descriptive apar strict că te imerseze în universul creat. Acest lucru este realizat și de ilustrațiile prezente atunci când sunt povestea ajunge într-un moment important. Nu lipsesc nici pasajele comice care te fac să empatizezi și mai mult cu personajul. „She was so hungry, she even reluctantly accepted one of his proffered bananas […] They were still yuck.” (p. 291)
Această carte merită citită atât de un copil care iubește animalele sau vrea să descopere mai multe de aventurile altor copii, cât și de un adult care își dorește o lectură ușoară, dar bogată în semnificații și din care poate învăța mai multe despre impactul pe care oamenii îl au asupra altor viețuitoare, importanța pe care un prieten o are la bine, dar mai ales la greu, și cum îi afectează pe cei mici problemele adulților.
October 24, 2024
I absolutely love Hannah's books. The fact that I've got my hands on a beautiful, signed Indie bookshop copy just make me happier still. As with Hannah's other books the amazing illustrations are all by Levi Pinfold.
This is, like the others, based on animals (with some artistic license involved) with that eco theme we expect from her. However it is also the story of a family Mum- Gerrie, Dad - Jack and Silver their daughter.
Silver knows that Mum and Dad have been trying for another baby. She knows it hasn't happened, the nursery stands empty and they are sad, and they argue a lot. Silver wonders why she isn't enough. Why they need another baby. Is she so bad they need another. They don't have time for her.
One afternoon, Silver sees a letter from Costa Rica in Dad's studio, then she's called to the table for a family talk. Except this one is more of a 'we are doing this talk'. Dad has persuaded Silver's mum to travel to Costa Rica for 3 months so that he can work as an artist at Turtle Beach Rescue Centre. Mum looks worried, Silver doesn't think it is fair.
But they are on their way. None of them are prepared for the heat. Silver certainly isn't prepared for the noise and colour of the jungle. But she soon meets some of the residents of the centre, and it's workers. She quickly becomes friends with Rafi, the son of José, who works at the centre, where Ana is the boss still. she set the centre up many years before.
Rafi asks Silver to join him on patrol - watching for turtle's nesting while the others are eating (during the eating period there is no one on lookout). When Silver goes to the treehouse alone one day - she hears rustling - it is a leatherback turtle, the one Rafi is so desperate to see but she's here now, and he's not. She lays her eggs and looks up almost as if she can see Silver. Silver makes a promise to her to look after the eggs. When she finds Rafi she shows him first - he can hardly believe it - it's been two years. But there they are. Then, Ana is informed the eggs are movede to the hatchery where they are guarded with the others. It'll take two months for them to hatch. Silver will still be there. But when the theft of the eggs is thwarted, Rafi has an idea - he has seem a girl online, Marina and her friend Rio, who put trackers on Grey Whales, and he orders a tracker to put in a decoy egg.
But Mum and Dad don't seem interested at all in the eggs. Mum's sadness has followed them to Costa Rica. Until one day Silver sees Ana talking to mum, then they go inside the centre. Mum says at dinner that she is going to help look after the mother sloth, so that's what Ana wanted. Or was there more?
A violent storm sends lightning crashing into the hospital wing, the animals escape. Silver is told to stay inside, but she wants to check on the turtles, especially Luna her favourite. Then she sees the guard from the hatchery is helping. She heads there but the lock is broken - and the leatherback eggs are gone. Rafi arrives at the hatchery, the tracker can be followed but it's into the jungle - in a storm - in the dark, but the others are all looking for animals.
They have no choice.....
This is everything I expected from Hannah. The fact that she even managed to reference Marina and Rio from The Lost Whale was so clever. The turtle's in the story may not actually all lay eggs at the same time, but they are all endangered and the education provided about this by centre's like that in the story are so important. Against the eco story is a beautifully written story about parents who have become lost in their grief for a child not born (a subject which I'm sure was difficult for Hannah to write about) and the child, Silver, who thinks she isn't enough for them.
Loved it.
This is, like the others, based on animals (with some artistic license involved) with that eco theme we expect from her. However it is also the story of a family Mum- Gerrie, Dad - Jack and Silver their daughter.
Silver knows that Mum and Dad have been trying for another baby. She knows it hasn't happened, the nursery stands empty and they are sad, and they argue a lot. Silver wonders why she isn't enough. Why they need another baby. Is she so bad they need another. They don't have time for her.
One afternoon, Silver sees a letter from Costa Rica in Dad's studio, then she's called to the table for a family talk. Except this one is more of a 'we are doing this talk'. Dad has persuaded Silver's mum to travel to Costa Rica for 3 months so that he can work as an artist at Turtle Beach Rescue Centre. Mum looks worried, Silver doesn't think it is fair.
But they are on their way. None of them are prepared for the heat. Silver certainly isn't prepared for the noise and colour of the jungle. But she soon meets some of the residents of the centre, and it's workers. She quickly becomes friends with Rafi, the son of José, who works at the centre, where Ana is the boss still. she set the centre up many years before.
Rafi asks Silver to join him on patrol - watching for turtle's nesting while the others are eating (during the eating period there is no one on lookout). When Silver goes to the treehouse alone one day - she hears rustling - it is a leatherback turtle, the one Rafi is so desperate to see but she's here now, and he's not. She lays her eggs and looks up almost as if she can see Silver. Silver makes a promise to her to look after the eggs. When she finds Rafi she shows him first - he can hardly believe it - it's been two years. But there they are. Then, Ana is informed the eggs are movede to the hatchery where they are guarded with the others. It'll take two months for them to hatch. Silver will still be there. But when the theft of the eggs is thwarted, Rafi has an idea - he has seem a girl online, Marina and her friend Rio, who put trackers on Grey Whales, and he orders a tracker to put in a decoy egg.
But Mum and Dad don't seem interested at all in the eggs. Mum's sadness has followed them to Costa Rica. Until one day Silver sees Ana talking to mum, then they go inside the centre. Mum says at dinner that she is going to help look after the mother sloth, so that's what Ana wanted. Or was there more?
A violent storm sends lightning crashing into the hospital wing, the animals escape. Silver is told to stay inside, but she wants to check on the turtles, especially Luna her favourite. Then she sees the guard from the hatchery is helping. She heads there but the lock is broken - and the leatherback eggs are gone. Rafi arrives at the hatchery, the tracker can be followed but it's into the jungle - in a storm - in the dark, but the others are all looking for animals.
They have no choice.....
This is everything I expected from Hannah. The fact that she even managed to reference Marina and Rio from The Lost Whale was so clever. The turtle's in the story may not actually all lay eggs at the same time, but they are all endangered and the education provided about this by centre's like that in the story are so important. Against the eco story is a beautifully written story about parents who have become lost in their grief for a child not born (a subject which I'm sure was difficult for Hannah to write about) and the child, Silver, who thinks she isn't enough for them.
Loved it.
October 5, 2024
Silver is just as surprised as her mother to learn that her dad has accepted a three month artist position in Costa Rica. It seems a world away from their home in the UK, and it feels like it after their long plane journey. They are relieved to finally arrive.
Everyone is friendly as they learn about their surroundings, meet the people they will be with for the next three months and understand what has brought them so far from home.
Turtles are disappearing from our oceans. There are so many reasons, including sea pollution of plastics, oil and so many other toxins. There are less turtles being born which is alarming because already very few turtle hatchings survive from the dozens that hatch alongside them.
The worst statistic is the fact that turtle eggs are seen as a delicacy in many countries, so poaching is rife wherever turtles lay their eggs. They are not even safe in their hatchery behind locked gates and 24 hour guard.
Silver's dad illustrated a very popular children's book a few years before, and a fan of his work has invited him to the sanctuary to design artwork to promote the plight of so many turtle species. Dad has jumped at the chance of an adventure for his family, but mostly to try and help Silver's mum who can't seem to get over not being able to give Silver a sibling.
Silver has seen her mum's spark diminish, but the bright greens of the jungle, the other animals needing care besides the turtles and the richness of their new surroundings doesn't seem to be able to pierce her melancholy. Silver however, has put aside her fears of giant spiders and snakes and being a tree lover, has embraced the new world around her. A new friend named Raphael has helped her settle in, and be part of caring for the turtles under the sanctuary's care.
Silver loves every day, but cannot put aside the thought that she has been hiding for a while. Isn't she enough for her mother?
A storm one night brings everything to the surface, and a dash through the jungle among jaguars, deadly snakes and other terrors is weighed up against losing everything they've worked for.
Another Hannah Gold adventure for animal lovers! Highlighting the plight of animals around the world in her novels, Turtle Moon is also full of action, friendship, heart and hope. Along the way we learn about the plight of many different species of turtles and the threats against them.
The characters of Turtle Moon are credible and likeable, all different in their own way. Main character Silver is already connected to a love of nature through her bond with an oak tree at her home, so being allowed to learn about the animal life and rainforest instead of going to a Costa Rican school, suits her down to the ground.
Her new friend Raphael seems to be able to talk to animals, and whether this is to be believed or not, who didn't want to do that when they were ten? I certainly did. A monkey causes havoc, but has a message of it's own, along with a grieving mother sloth.
With a satisfying, hopeful and authentic ending, Turtle Moon is perfect for any young person passionate about the environment and animal life. And who knew that only 1 in 1000 turtle hatchlings grow to adults?
Everyone is friendly as they learn about their surroundings, meet the people they will be with for the next three months and understand what has brought them so far from home.
Turtles are disappearing from our oceans. There are so many reasons, including sea pollution of plastics, oil and so many other toxins. There are less turtles being born which is alarming because already very few turtle hatchings survive from the dozens that hatch alongside them.
The worst statistic is the fact that turtle eggs are seen as a delicacy in many countries, so poaching is rife wherever turtles lay their eggs. They are not even safe in their hatchery behind locked gates and 24 hour guard.
Silver's dad illustrated a very popular children's book a few years before, and a fan of his work has invited him to the sanctuary to design artwork to promote the plight of so many turtle species. Dad has jumped at the chance of an adventure for his family, but mostly to try and help Silver's mum who can't seem to get over not being able to give Silver a sibling.
Silver has seen her mum's spark diminish, but the bright greens of the jungle, the other animals needing care besides the turtles and the richness of their new surroundings doesn't seem to be able to pierce her melancholy. Silver however, has put aside her fears of giant spiders and snakes and being a tree lover, has embraced the new world around her. A new friend named Raphael has helped her settle in, and be part of caring for the turtles under the sanctuary's care.
Silver loves every day, but cannot put aside the thought that she has been hiding for a while. Isn't she enough for her mother?
A storm one night brings everything to the surface, and a dash through the jungle among jaguars, deadly snakes and other terrors is weighed up against losing everything they've worked for.
Another Hannah Gold adventure for animal lovers! Highlighting the plight of animals around the world in her novels, Turtle Moon is also full of action, friendship, heart and hope. Along the way we learn about the plight of many different species of turtles and the threats against them.
The characters of Turtle Moon are credible and likeable, all different in their own way. Main character Silver is already connected to a love of nature through her bond with an oak tree at her home, so being allowed to learn about the animal life and rainforest instead of going to a Costa Rican school, suits her down to the ground.
Her new friend Raphael seems to be able to talk to animals, and whether this is to be believed or not, who didn't want to do that when they were ten? I certainly did. A monkey causes havoc, but has a message of it's own, along with a grieving mother sloth.
With a satisfying, hopeful and authentic ending, Turtle Moon is perfect for any young person passionate about the environment and animal life. And who knew that only 1 in 1000 turtle hatchlings grow to adults?
March 19, 2025
Ik was al grote fan van Hannah Gold na het lezen van haar boek ‘De laatste beer’, maar ook ‘De bedreigde schildpad’ is weer super goed.
Ook in dit boek draait het om een bedreigde diersoort, dit keer de grote lederschildpad.
Silvers ouders zijn al een tijdje ongelukkig. Ze willen graag een broertje of zusje voor Silver, maar dat lukt niet. Haar vader, een beroemde illustrator, schildert nu alleen nog maar donkere schilderijen en niet meer de kleurrijke kindertekeningen van vroeger. En haar moeder, die dierenarts is, lijkt nog dieper in de put te zitten. Ook op Silver werkt dit alles heel erg in, want zij vraagt zich af of zij als kind dan niet genoeg is voor haar ouders.
Als haar vader de kans krijgt om voor een schildpaddenopvang in Costa Rica enkele portretten van wilde dieren te maken, blijkt dit precies te zijn wat het gezin nodig heeft. Ze vertrekken met zijn drieën voor enkele maanden naar Costa Rica.
Silver voelt zich al snel helemaal thuis in die opvang dicht bij de gevaarlijke jungle. Ze sluit vriendschap met de avontuurlijke Rafi, die ook heel erg begaan is met alle dieren en zelfs een luiaard geadopteerd heeft. Op een avond is Silver er getuige van hoe een zeldzame lederschildpad haar eieren op het strand legt. Ze belooft de schildpad om voor haar kindjes te zullen zorgen, maar dan worden de eieren gestolen… Rafi en Silver zullen de dichte jungle in moeten om ze te gaan zoeken…
Net zoals in haar vorige boeken zit ook in dit nieuwste boek van Hannah Gold weer een heel mooie milieuboodschap. Vele bijzondere schildpadden zijn bedreigd, niet alleen doordat ze in de oceaan verstrikt raken in allerlei netten of plastic soep, maar ook omdat hun kostbare eieren vaak gestolen worden om verhandeld te worden op de zwarte markt.
Ik vond schildpadden al geweldig, maar na het lezen van dit boek vind ik ze nog veel fascinerender en wil ik er van alles over gaan opzoeken. Achteraan in het boek staan ook een heleboel tips met sites waar je meer informatie kunt vinden. En dat is volgens mij de kracht van een goed verhaal: dat je zo geboeid bent door een onderwerp, dat je er nog meer over wilt gaan leren.
Verder snijdt het ook een ander gevoelig onderwerp aan: een onvervulde kinderwens en wat dat verdriet met mensen doet. Wat het extra bijzonder maakt, is dat de auteur in haar nawoord schrijft dat het op dat vlak haar persoonlijkste boek tot nu toe is, want ook zij en haar echtgenoot probeerden jarenlang tevergeefs zwanger te worden, wat haar heel erg veel pijn doet.
De Britse auteur Hannah Gold werkte eerst in de filmindustrie voor ze haar droom om schrijfster te worden achterna ging. Ze woont in Lincolnshire samen met haar echtgenoot, hun kat en hun schildpad…
De prachtige zwart-wittekeningen in het boek zijn van Levi Pinfold. Deze illustrator van kinderboeken woont momenteel in Queensland, Australië.
‘De bedreigde schildpad’ is een krachtig jeugdboek dat iedere jongere en volwassene zou moeten lezen om te begrijpen welke geweldige dieren er op onze aarde leven.
Ook in dit boek draait het om een bedreigde diersoort, dit keer de grote lederschildpad.
Silvers ouders zijn al een tijdje ongelukkig. Ze willen graag een broertje of zusje voor Silver, maar dat lukt niet. Haar vader, een beroemde illustrator, schildert nu alleen nog maar donkere schilderijen en niet meer de kleurrijke kindertekeningen van vroeger. En haar moeder, die dierenarts is, lijkt nog dieper in de put te zitten. Ook op Silver werkt dit alles heel erg in, want zij vraagt zich af of zij als kind dan niet genoeg is voor haar ouders.
Als haar vader de kans krijgt om voor een schildpaddenopvang in Costa Rica enkele portretten van wilde dieren te maken, blijkt dit precies te zijn wat het gezin nodig heeft. Ze vertrekken met zijn drieën voor enkele maanden naar Costa Rica.
Silver voelt zich al snel helemaal thuis in die opvang dicht bij de gevaarlijke jungle. Ze sluit vriendschap met de avontuurlijke Rafi, die ook heel erg begaan is met alle dieren en zelfs een luiaard geadopteerd heeft. Op een avond is Silver er getuige van hoe een zeldzame lederschildpad haar eieren op het strand legt. Ze belooft de schildpad om voor haar kindjes te zullen zorgen, maar dan worden de eieren gestolen… Rafi en Silver zullen de dichte jungle in moeten om ze te gaan zoeken…
Net zoals in haar vorige boeken zit ook in dit nieuwste boek van Hannah Gold weer een heel mooie milieuboodschap. Vele bijzondere schildpadden zijn bedreigd, niet alleen doordat ze in de oceaan verstrikt raken in allerlei netten of plastic soep, maar ook omdat hun kostbare eieren vaak gestolen worden om verhandeld te worden op de zwarte markt.
Ik vond schildpadden al geweldig, maar na het lezen van dit boek vind ik ze nog veel fascinerender en wil ik er van alles over gaan opzoeken. Achteraan in het boek staan ook een heleboel tips met sites waar je meer informatie kunt vinden. En dat is volgens mij de kracht van een goed verhaal: dat je zo geboeid bent door een onderwerp, dat je er nog meer over wilt gaan leren.
Verder snijdt het ook een ander gevoelig onderwerp aan: een onvervulde kinderwens en wat dat verdriet met mensen doet. Wat het extra bijzonder maakt, is dat de auteur in haar nawoord schrijft dat het op dat vlak haar persoonlijkste boek tot nu toe is, want ook zij en haar echtgenoot probeerden jarenlang tevergeefs zwanger te worden, wat haar heel erg veel pijn doet.
De Britse auteur Hannah Gold werkte eerst in de filmindustrie voor ze haar droom om schrijfster te worden achterna ging. Ze woont in Lincolnshire samen met haar echtgenoot, hun kat en hun schildpad…
De prachtige zwart-wittekeningen in het boek zijn van Levi Pinfold. Deze illustrator van kinderboeken woont momenteel in Queensland, Australië.
‘De bedreigde schildpad’ is een krachtig jeugdboek dat iedere jongere en volwassene zou moeten lezen om te begrijpen welke geweldige dieren er op onze aarde leven.
October 20, 2024
For Indian readers the title would immediately summon up Odisha and the turtle hatcheries there, hatcheries which are also endangered by poachers, lack of infrastructure and plans for nearby ports. Gold’s book however is sent in Costa Rica. She takes her small family Silver, her artist father and vet mother from America down to the rainforests. Silver has been named after the big silver moon her parents saw the night she was born – but what should have been a happy family is now verging on dysfunctional because of problems between Silver’s parents over another baby they could not have. Silver’s father’s art has turned gloomy and squabbles between him and her mother are disturbing Silver.
The new environment that wraps them like a humid blanket threatens to be overwhelming – Silver’s father has been invited to paint portraits to help the Turtle Centre publicise their cause and get donations but mosquitos and capuchin monkeys get in the way while her mother Gerrie continues to be unhappy even refusing to help out at the animal hospital that the centre houses.
Gold creates the atmosphere of what living in a rainforest with ‘human-eating jaguars- round the corner might mean. Silver finds a friend in Rafi, son of the associate of the Turtle Centre who wears a sloth draped around his neck like a scarf. The moment the mention of poachers comes up most readers familiar with conservation issues in the wild will know what’s coming.
However, Gold also uses the moment of birth, a leatherback turtle’s laying her eggs to teach Silver something about what being a mother means and why her parents are so unhappy about not having another child. Through the animals and the events, the family comes together. Gold gives the reader moments of suspense, child-animal bonding, the importance of friends and family. The fact that Silver is named after a full moon and that turtle eggs hatch during the full moon make for a very happy coincidence.
Levi Pinfold’s illustrations add a note of drama to the text.
Gold’s title however has an overlaps with New York bestseller Alice Hoffman’s Turtle Moon which was set in Florida, where sea turtles come to the town in May. Not that this will bother Gold's fans.
The new environment that wraps them like a humid blanket threatens to be overwhelming – Silver’s father has been invited to paint portraits to help the Turtle Centre publicise their cause and get donations but mosquitos and capuchin monkeys get in the way while her mother Gerrie continues to be unhappy even refusing to help out at the animal hospital that the centre houses.
Gold creates the atmosphere of what living in a rainforest with ‘human-eating jaguars- round the corner might mean. Silver finds a friend in Rafi, son of the associate of the Turtle Centre who wears a sloth draped around his neck like a scarf. The moment the mention of poachers comes up most readers familiar with conservation issues in the wild will know what’s coming.
However, Gold also uses the moment of birth, a leatherback turtle’s laying her eggs to teach Silver something about what being a mother means and why her parents are so unhappy about not having another child. Through the animals and the events, the family comes together. Gold gives the reader moments of suspense, child-animal bonding, the importance of friends and family. The fact that Silver is named after a full moon and that turtle eggs hatch during the full moon make for a very happy coincidence.
Levi Pinfold’s illustrations add a note of drama to the text.
Gold’s title however has an overlaps with New York bestseller Alice Hoffman’s Turtle Moon which was set in Florida, where sea turtles come to the town in May. Not that this will bother Gold's fans.
October 26, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Turtle Moon by Hannah Gold
Silver Trevelon’s parents have been trying for another baby for some time now with no success leaving them very unhappy. Her father decides they all need a change and when he is offered a job in a turtle rescue centre in Costa Rica to paint he knows this is just what his family needs.
When they arrive Silver's mum spends all her time sad and sleeping but Silver befriends Rafi and together they help out around the centre. However, their most important job is to protect the eggs that are laid by the turtles who come up on the beach.
One awful day they realise the rare leatherback turtle’s eggs have been stolen and it’s up to them to save them. This means a scary and very dangerous trek into the jungle, a place they have been warned of repeatedly. Can they save the eggs before it’s too late but also will they be able to find their way home?
Although none of Hannah Gold’s books will ever beat The Last Bear this was still a very hypnotic read. Gold always has such an exquisite sense of place in the way she describes the surroundings making you leap into the pages. In this book, you feel the sweat on your skin from the humidity, hear the sounds of the different animals all around and feel the grass, moss and twigs on the rainforest floor. This is also made so real by the ever-amazing illustrations by Levi Pinfold. My only criticism is that there wasn’t enough and I was left wanting more. He is a super talented.
The main story was about the turtles but the side story was Silver felt like she wasn’t enough for her parents and this is why they wanted another baby. It was so heartbreaking when they realised this was how she felt. They were all so emotional but they didn’t communicate these feelings to one another because they wanted to protect each other.
I love how this author always sheds light on the difficulties these animals face and the wonderful people who volunteer day in and day out to help. She will always be one of my and also my son’s favourite authors and we love reading these books together. Hannah Gold has helped our bond and love of reading become so strong. So for this, I will be forever grateful.
Silver Trevelon’s parents have been trying for another baby for some time now with no success leaving them very unhappy. Her father decides they all need a change and when he is offered a job in a turtle rescue centre in Costa Rica to paint he knows this is just what his family needs.
When they arrive Silver's mum spends all her time sad and sleeping but Silver befriends Rafi and together they help out around the centre. However, their most important job is to protect the eggs that are laid by the turtles who come up on the beach.
One awful day they realise the rare leatherback turtle’s eggs have been stolen and it’s up to them to save them. This means a scary and very dangerous trek into the jungle, a place they have been warned of repeatedly. Can they save the eggs before it’s too late but also will they be able to find their way home?
Although none of Hannah Gold’s books will ever beat The Last Bear this was still a very hypnotic read. Gold always has such an exquisite sense of place in the way she describes the surroundings making you leap into the pages. In this book, you feel the sweat on your skin from the humidity, hear the sounds of the different animals all around and feel the grass, moss and twigs on the rainforest floor. This is also made so real by the ever-amazing illustrations by Levi Pinfold. My only criticism is that there wasn’t enough and I was left wanting more. He is a super talented.
The main story was about the turtles but the side story was Silver felt like she wasn’t enough for her parents and this is why they wanted another baby. It was so heartbreaking when they realised this was how she felt. They were all so emotional but they didn’t communicate these feelings to one another because they wanted to protect each other.
I love how this author always sheds light on the difficulties these animals face and the wonderful people who volunteer day in and day out to help. She will always be one of my and also my son’s favourite authors and we love reading these books together. Hannah Gold has helped our bond and love of reading become so strong. So for this, I will be forever grateful.
October 1, 2024
Turtle Moon is Hannah Gold’s stunning new eco-fiction adventure novel with illustrations from Levi Pinfold. Aimed at young readers, it sensitively deals with important issues like fertility, turtle conservation, poaching, and brims with the life force and emotion that only a Hannah Gold novel can produce.
“Each day that passed was one day closer to seeing the eggs hatch. And that was the bit she was looking forward to the most – the moment when they could release the hatchlings back into the ocean. Rafi said it was done under a full moon – known locally as a turtle moon – and that it was the most incredible spectacle in the known universe.”
I also found Turtle Moon to be a novel about healing the broken within us. The same could be said of Hannah’s previous novels, but this one felt like it resonated on a deeper level. It’s this emotional element which really sets Hannah’s books apart and make them some of my absolute favourite novels. It goes without saying then that I highly recommend Turtle Moon, and I hope it brings some light into your life as well.
Some of my favourite quotes include:
- “We all need purpose in our life.”
- “To lose any animal – especially due to human impact – was a terrible injustice.”
- “To the children – the guardians of a better tomorrow.”
- “Silver followed the moonbeam as far as her eyes could travel. Imagining herself surfing the light all the way to the time of the dinosaurs and beyond. To a place where her ancestors stretched out in one long line -where everybody had their perfect place inside the cosmos.”
- “I hope my new story encourages you not to lose hope. Keep believing in your impact. Keep speaking up about the things you believe in. But most of all, keep being you. Because you are pretty remarkable just the way you are.”
- “When life doesn’t manifest in the way you expected, there is still hope.”
My full review can be read here: www.ryanmizzen.com/turtle-moon-by-han...
“Each day that passed was one day closer to seeing the eggs hatch. And that was the bit she was looking forward to the most – the moment when they could release the hatchlings back into the ocean. Rafi said it was done under a full moon – known locally as a turtle moon – and that it was the most incredible spectacle in the known universe.”
I also found Turtle Moon to be a novel about healing the broken within us. The same could be said of Hannah’s previous novels, but this one felt like it resonated on a deeper level. It’s this emotional element which really sets Hannah’s books apart and make them some of my absolute favourite novels. It goes without saying then that I highly recommend Turtle Moon, and I hope it brings some light into your life as well.
Some of my favourite quotes include:
- “We all need purpose in our life.”
- “To lose any animal – especially due to human impact – was a terrible injustice.”
- “To the children – the guardians of a better tomorrow.”
- “Silver followed the moonbeam as far as her eyes could travel. Imagining herself surfing the light all the way to the time of the dinosaurs and beyond. To a place where her ancestors stretched out in one long line -where everybody had their perfect place inside the cosmos.”
- “I hope my new story encourages you not to lose hope. Keep believing in your impact. Keep speaking up about the things you believe in. But most of all, keep being you. Because you are pretty remarkable just the way you are.”
- “When life doesn’t manifest in the way you expected, there is still hope.”
My full review can be read here: www.ryanmizzen.com/turtle-moon-by-han...
August 27, 2024
📚 Turtle Moon by Hannah Gold 📚
Illustrated by Levi Pinfold
Published by Harper Collins
I was lucky enough to be able to get a sneaky advance read of this via Netgalley. All views are my own.
I'm actually going to write this review in three parts.
Part 1: Children
Wow! What an adventure. Once again Hannah has created an incredible experience for our environmentally conscious young people of today. Children will quickly be drawn into the world of Silver and become attached to her new friends at the turtle sanctuary.
For any children who enjoyed Hannah's previous books, you will not be disappointed and will race through this book to find out the dramatic conclusion.
I think all children reading this will be so much more aware of the plight of turtles and will want to make a difference.
Part 2 : The illustrations
Any book that is illustrated by Levi is one that I'm buying without even reading the blurb! You know that the art work will transport you directly inside the authors head and bring their imagination to your reality.
Part 3 : For anyone, like me, who was sold the idea that fertility was straight forward and quite simple.
This book is incredibly brave in tackling the issue of infertility head on and the impact of it on the whole family. I don't want to give any spoilers, but Hannah's sensitive yet honest approach is one that I find extremely refreshing.
I'm looking forward to my pre-ordered version to arrive so that I can read it again and take even more time to appreciate the illustrations.
Illustrated by Levi Pinfold
Published by Harper Collins
I was lucky enough to be able to get a sneaky advance read of this via Netgalley. All views are my own.
I'm actually going to write this review in three parts.
Part 1: Children
Wow! What an adventure. Once again Hannah has created an incredible experience for our environmentally conscious young people of today. Children will quickly be drawn into the world of Silver and become attached to her new friends at the turtle sanctuary.
For any children who enjoyed Hannah's previous books, you will not be disappointed and will race through this book to find out the dramatic conclusion.
I think all children reading this will be so much more aware of the plight of turtles and will want to make a difference.
Part 2 : The illustrations
Any book that is illustrated by Levi is one that I'm buying without even reading the blurb! You know that the art work will transport you directly inside the authors head and bring their imagination to your reality.
Part 3 : For anyone, like me, who was sold the idea that fertility was straight forward and quite simple.
This book is incredibly brave in tackling the issue of infertility head on and the impact of it on the whole family. I don't want to give any spoilers, but Hannah's sensitive yet honest approach is one that I find extremely refreshing.
I'm looking forward to my pre-ordered version to arrive so that I can read it again and take even more time to appreciate the illustrations.
January 2, 2025
Hannah Gold has curated another beautiful book highlighting the plight of a species that could become extinct. This time it is Turtles and puts a spotlight on the theft and sale of their eggs. Also highlighted in the story is a couples disappointment at not being able to conceive.
Silver is an only child, she loves climbing the tree in her backyard although since she fell out of it she isn’t allowed to do so, unless her parents aren’t around! Silvers dad is a talented artist and Silver despairs that she has no art talent at all. Her mother has closed in on herself after losing a longed for baby and now seeming unable to conceive again.
When Silvers dad is invited to the turtle rescue centre in Costa Rica, Silver hopes that it will help her family heal.
Silver soon makes friends with Rafi and his pet sloth and as they seem to be left to their own devices they fill their days climbing trees and looking out for turtles eggs. These are taken to the rescue centre where they are buried again in sand until they hatch then released back to the sea. This way they stop the eggs from being taken and sold. But someone is stealing eggs from the centre and when Silver sees a rare Leatherback turtle lay her eggs near her she is determined to protect them at all cost.
A wonderful tale with insights into Turtles, their eggs and their struggles to survive in a world increasingly being ruined by man,
Silver is an only child, she loves climbing the tree in her backyard although since she fell out of it she isn’t allowed to do so, unless her parents aren’t around! Silvers dad is a talented artist and Silver despairs that she has no art talent at all. Her mother has closed in on herself after losing a longed for baby and now seeming unable to conceive again.
When Silvers dad is invited to the turtle rescue centre in Costa Rica, Silver hopes that it will help her family heal.
Silver soon makes friends with Rafi and his pet sloth and as they seem to be left to their own devices they fill their days climbing trees and looking out for turtles eggs. These are taken to the rescue centre where they are buried again in sand until they hatch then released back to the sea. This way they stop the eggs from being taken and sold. But someone is stealing eggs from the centre and when Silver sees a rare Leatherback turtle lay her eggs near her she is determined to protect them at all cost.
A wonderful tale with insights into Turtles, their eggs and their struggles to survive in a world increasingly being ruined by man,
February 25, 2025
Our Review...
Another beautiful novel from Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear, The Lost Whale and Finding Bear, accompanied again by the incredible illustrations of Levi Pinfold.
Silver Trevelon is an adventurous child who loves climbing trees and is full of curiosity. When Silver’s dad accepts a job to paint turtles at a rescue centre, Silver and her family find themselves off to live in the jungle of Costa Rica. Life in the jungle is hot, daunting but full of adventure and wildlife. Silver quickly befriends the equally free spirited, Rafi, always with the brown-throated, three toed sloth Speedy, in tow.
Silver quickly joins Rafi in his mission to protect the turtles and the defenceless eggs they lay on the beaches, with only 1 in 1000 hatchling surviving to adulthood. When rare and precious Leatherback turtle eggs are stolen from the hatchery, it’s up to Silver and Rafi to face the heart of the jungle and rescue the eggs before it’s too late.
Hannah Gold is a master of weaving adventure, friendship, family and environmentalism joyously into her novels. Additionally, Turtle Moon, heartfully explores the challenges and emotions of infertility through the difficulties faced by Silvers parents and the impact it’s had on their family. A beautiful and hopeful adventure, and especially relevant with all sea turtle species now endangered or vulnerable to extinction. Perfect for readers 8+, a truly wonderful story.
Review by Jess @ Great Escape Books
Another beautiful novel from Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear, The Lost Whale and Finding Bear, accompanied again by the incredible illustrations of Levi Pinfold.
Silver Trevelon is an adventurous child who loves climbing trees and is full of curiosity. When Silver’s dad accepts a job to paint turtles at a rescue centre, Silver and her family find themselves off to live in the jungle of Costa Rica. Life in the jungle is hot, daunting but full of adventure and wildlife. Silver quickly befriends the equally free spirited, Rafi, always with the brown-throated, three toed sloth Speedy, in tow.
Silver quickly joins Rafi in his mission to protect the turtles and the defenceless eggs they lay on the beaches, with only 1 in 1000 hatchling surviving to adulthood. When rare and precious Leatherback turtle eggs are stolen from the hatchery, it’s up to Silver and Rafi to face the heart of the jungle and rescue the eggs before it’s too late.
Hannah Gold is a master of weaving adventure, friendship, family and environmentalism joyously into her novels. Additionally, Turtle Moon, heartfully explores the challenges and emotions of infertility through the difficulties faced by Silvers parents and the impact it’s had on their family. A beautiful and hopeful adventure, and especially relevant with all sea turtle species now endangered or vulnerable to extinction. Perfect for readers 8+, a truly wonderful story.
Review by Jess @ Great Escape Books
March 15, 2025
4.25⭐
When Silver's artist dad is invited to work at a turtle rescue center in Costa Rica for a few months, Silver and her mom aren't too sure but it may be just what the family needs. Silver's parents have both been carrying around a tinge of sadness for a long time now. A sadness that appeared when the nursery they lovingly decorated remained unused for years.
The family have to get accustomed to their temporary home and Silver discovers new friends, both human and animal. Together with Silver, the reader discovers the beauty of Costa Rica and learns about what goes on in the animal sanctuary.
This is the second book I've read by Hannah Gold and she certainly has a way of drawing awareness to an endangered species using a captivating story packed with both adventure and moments that will touch your heart.
Through Silver's parents' journey with infertility, the story also casts a light on how adults can get so consumed with their problems that they may not realise how it affects their kids. This heavy topic is expertly handled in a way that is accessible and suitable to the middle grade audience.
The book hits a good balance with vivid descriptions of both Silver's surrounding as well as her feelings and by the time you're done with the adventure it takes you on, you'll realise you've also received an education on turtles and the conservation of endangered species. And as a bonus, the book is interspersed with the most gorgeous black and white illustrations by Levi Pinfold.
When Silver's artist dad is invited to work at a turtle rescue center in Costa Rica for a few months, Silver and her mom aren't too sure but it may be just what the family needs. Silver's parents have both been carrying around a tinge of sadness for a long time now. A sadness that appeared when the nursery they lovingly decorated remained unused for years.
The family have to get accustomed to their temporary home and Silver discovers new friends, both human and animal. Together with Silver, the reader discovers the beauty of Costa Rica and learns about what goes on in the animal sanctuary.
This is the second book I've read by Hannah Gold and she certainly has a way of drawing awareness to an endangered species using a captivating story packed with both adventure and moments that will touch your heart.
Through Silver's parents' journey with infertility, the story also casts a light on how adults can get so consumed with their problems that they may not realise how it affects their kids. This heavy topic is expertly handled in a way that is accessible and suitable to the middle grade audience.
The book hits a good balance with vivid descriptions of both Silver's surrounding as well as her feelings and by the time you're done with the adventure it takes you on, you'll realise you've also received an education on turtles and the conservation of endangered species. And as a bonus, the book is interspersed with the most gorgeous black and white illustrations by Levi Pinfold.
November 23, 2024
Sensitive, heartfelt and compelling
Having read Hannah Gold's three previous books, I was looking forward to reading Turtle Moon. It is a book that has at its heart compassion - for wildlife, the for each other. It is a book about our need to cherish our rich animal diversity, but also to embrace our humanity and kindness to each other and all living creatures.
Hannah Gold has a wonderful ability to make environments pulse from the page. You can hear the rainforest, the beach, the screech and howl of monkeys and the birdlife. You can smell the rain, feel the electricity and power of the thunderstorms.
Writing for children should be about engagement, interest, education and most of all enjoyment. Hannah achieves this and more.
Interwoven in the story, is a heartfelt and personal story of infertility and the importance of motherhood, family and kinship. A brave and honest subject to cover.
As a writer I always look to authors who write both adult and children's fiction, that can inform and inspire my own writing.
Hannah Gold has again done this.
Read Turtle Moon, by yourself, to and with your children. But, read it.
Highly recommended.
Having read Hannah Gold's three previous books, I was looking forward to reading Turtle Moon. It is a book that has at its heart compassion - for wildlife, the for each other. It is a book about our need to cherish our rich animal diversity, but also to embrace our humanity and kindness to each other and all living creatures.
Hannah Gold has a wonderful ability to make environments pulse from the page. You can hear the rainforest, the beach, the screech and howl of monkeys and the birdlife. You can smell the rain, feel the electricity and power of the thunderstorms.
Writing for children should be about engagement, interest, education and most of all enjoyment. Hannah achieves this and more.
Interwoven in the story, is a heartfelt and personal story of infertility and the importance of motherhood, family and kinship. A brave and honest subject to cover.
As a writer I always look to authors who write both adult and children's fiction, that can inform and inspire my own writing.
Hannah Gold has again done this.
Read Turtle Moon, by yourself, to and with your children. But, read it.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews