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The Great Snapping Turtle Adventure
When Fred takes stepsons Max and Charles to Elliott Island for a day of crabbing, none of them are expecting to encounter anything out of the ordinary. But all bets are off when you drive out that long narrow road to the End of the World.
An old woman gives them a giant snapping turtle to sell, and their day gets weird. And when they stumble across the same woman's gravestone--with her death date inscribed, but hidden in the ground--their trip becomes stranger still.
As every answer leads to more questions, what starts as a "Boys' Day Out" becomes an adventure that will not soon be forgotten.
An old woman gives them a giant snapping turtle to sell, and their day gets weird. And when they stumble across the same woman's gravestone--with her death date inscribed, but hidden in the ground--their trip becomes stranger still.
As every answer leads to more questions, what starts as a "Boys' Day Out" becomes an adventure that will not soon be forgotten.
- GenresMiddle GradeAdventure
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2015
10 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Susan Yaruta Young
2 books1 followerSusan Yaruta-Young is a pastor whose family roots in Maryland date to the 17th century. She is a native of Maryland who moved with her family in 1996 to northern New England. Before moving to the coast of Maine with her husband, Luther Young, and their family, she worked as a Maryland State Arts Council Poet in the Schools. A published poet and lifelong writer, she was a Maryland State Arts Council Poet in the Schools from 1974-1996 and has conducted numerous poetry and drama workshops. Susan is a United Methodist pastor who enjoys writing for all ages in all genres.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 16, 2020
I recieved a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is described as a mystery, but I honestly did not get that from this book at all. It was well written and a nice family adventure of sorts. Would be a nice read for younger readers, it’s something I would have read in primary school.
The characters were good although they seemed younger than they were meant to be. It was a little slow for my personal preference but for the age range it is aimed at it’s perfect.
Overall it was a fun mix for family values and fun adventures.
3 out of 5 stars
This book is described as a mystery, but I honestly did not get that from this book at all. It was well written and a nice family adventure of sorts. Would be a nice read for younger readers, it’s something I would have read in primary school.
The characters were good although they seemed younger than they were meant to be. It was a little slow for my personal preference but for the age range it is aimed at it’s perfect.
Overall it was a fun mix for family values and fun adventures.
3 out of 5 stars
August 7, 2015
It's summer, and we all want to go on a vacation that ends up holding a bit of mystery and adventure. The Great Snapping Turtle Adventure is such a vacation story of two boys going to the Eastern Shore with their stepfather. It was a story where the setting is as much of a character in the story as any of the people.
As a children's/middle grade book, I think that it was pretty cool that the adventure was between two boys and their stepfather. It added a level of family complexity that I think is important to showcase sometimes.
The story itself was perhaps simplistic in that there was not one overarching plot necessarily but lots of little adventures. It was pretty realistic in the way events would unfold during a weekend getaway to a new place. It made me remember my trips there and to the Tidewater region of Virginia. Eating crabs and catfish, the sandy soil, the strange little vendors along the side of the highway. In fact, on one trip to the Eastern Shore, I felt like we had stumbled across a little witch, which was pretty awesome.
And that's why this story was good; it was enough to make you reminisce and enjoy the setting. My one wish was that there was more of an overarching mystery but the elements that reappeared were enough to make it a worthwhile read. I think those that are familiar with the geographic area would appreciate it the most and maybe pique the interest of those that aren't.
As a children's/middle grade book, I think that it was pretty cool that the adventure was between two boys and their stepfather. It added a level of family complexity that I think is important to showcase sometimes.
The story itself was perhaps simplistic in that there was not one overarching plot necessarily but lots of little adventures. It was pretty realistic in the way events would unfold during a weekend getaway to a new place. It made me remember my trips there and to the Tidewater region of Virginia. Eating crabs and catfish, the sandy soil, the strange little vendors along the side of the highway. In fact, on one trip to the Eastern Shore, I felt like we had stumbled across a little witch, which was pretty awesome.
And that's why this story was good; it was enough to make you reminisce and enjoy the setting. My one wish was that there was more of an overarching mystery but the elements that reappeared were enough to make it a worthwhile read. I think those that are familiar with the geographic area would appreciate it the most and maybe pique the interest of those that aren't.
October 10, 2015
Remember the Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys? The fun of solving cases even though you pretty much had the case solved early on. The Great Snapping Turtle Adventure reminds me of those.
The story is about two boys and the adventures they have with their stepfather. I liked that element more than I would have thought. More because so many stories peg step parents as evil or hated and I enjoyed how this author did not. The mystery here is great for younger readers and is composed of many little adventures over the course of the story.
I was very impressed with the story and believe middle school children will too. It will introduce the mystery genre in a way that is exciting, like the Hardy boys did for my generation.
The story is about two boys and the adventures they have with their stepfather. I liked that element more than I would have thought. More because so many stories peg step parents as evil or hated and I enjoyed how this author did not. The mystery here is great for younger readers and is composed of many little adventures over the course of the story.
I was very impressed with the story and believe middle school children will too. It will introduce the mystery genre in a way that is exciting, like the Hardy boys did for my generation.
May 6, 2016
The Great Snapping Turtle Adventure: A Mystery Story for Young Teens by Susan Yaruta-Young The Great Snapping Turtle Adventure: A Mystery Story for Young Teens by Susan Yaruta-Young is a cute middle grade story with adventure, snapping turtles, ghost stories & fun crabbing. I gave it five stars because it is cleverly written & kept my attention.
"On the Maryland map, it was labeled Elliott Island. But local folk had lovingly nicknamed it 'The End of the World'."
I received a complimentary kindle copy from Secant Publishing & NetGalley. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Great-Snapping-...
"On the Maryland map, it was labeled Elliott Island. But local folk had lovingly nicknamed it 'The End of the World'."
I received a complimentary kindle copy from Secant Publishing & NetGalley. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Great-Snapping-...
August 24, 2015
I received an advanced reading copy of this book and read it aloud to my son. My son is 14 and he was mildly interested. I think it would be more appealing to 8-11 year old children. It was very informative and I learned all about crabbing and shell button making. I enjoyed getting a distinct feel for a part of our country that I've never had the opportunity to visit. I was all set to give this book to our school library but changed my mind when we reached the seance, ghost, channeling chapter. I feel like this chapter took away from the wholesomeness and kid worthiness of the book. Nevertheless, it's a well written and enjoyable little chapter book.
January 6, 2016
I expected a more frisky, fast tracking book. The idea of it, two brothers and their stepfather in a mystery setting involving a great snapping turtle, seemed very innovative and interesting. Sadly it lacks in delivery, at least in my opinion: there is not overreaching plot. Yes, it was very informative and I enjoyed learning all about crabbing and shell button making but... It lacked something.
This book was alike a meal without salt: tasty, nutritious but... a bit bland.
This book was alike a meal without salt: tasty, nutritious but... a bit bland.
July 6, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A delightful story with just enough fantastic, thought-provoking twists to keep you guessing. Recommended for either reading aloud to children or encouraging YA readers.
A delightful story with just enough fantastic, thought-provoking twists to keep you guessing. Recommended for either reading aloud to children or encouraging YA readers.
May 8, 2016
A really adorable and fun read.
I think my expectations were set quite high with the blurb and the title, so I felt a bit disappointed, but on its own the story was fun to read.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review, all words are my own. Thank you Netgalley.
I think my expectations were set quite high with the blurb and the title, so I felt a bit disappointed, but on its own the story was fun to read.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review, all words are my own. Thank you Netgalley.
September 22, 2015
Check out my review of The Great Snapping Turtle Adventure at my website:
http://livingalifeinbooks.blogspot.co... (available Sept 4, 2015)
http://livingalifeinbooks.blogspot.co... (available Sept 4, 2015)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews