In Race for the Ruby Turtle, readers accompany a young man and his friends through the forests of Oregon in a quest to find and protect a turtle known only in local folklore. The story has elements of adventure, mystery, and suspense, as Jake and company try to outsmart other parties who are looking for the turtle with all the fervor of cryptozoologists searching for a Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster. While the race is an exciting story, the heart of the book resides in another conflict: Jake struggles with ADHD, and his journey of self-discovery adds depth to the story. The deep woods Oregon setting is well-developed with believable characters and a focus on local traditions and lore, as well as a tiny peek into the Native America culture of the area. The author’s love for this wilderness is apparent in the beautiful descriptions that draw a reader in and let them experience a tiny part of its wonder. Young readers can put on the hiking boots of their imagination and join Jake and his friends on a trek where the mystery grabs from them from the very beginning and the adventure doesn’t let up until the final pages of the conclusion.

Review of an Advance Reading Copy provided by the Publisher

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: None

Violence/Gore: A few instances of minor property damage; a few verbal threats; report of a death from old age; report of an animal killed; characters are minorly injured in falls a few times; a fight with minor injury.

Sex/Nudity: Report of fully-clothed married adults taking a nap together.

Mature Subject Matter:

Environmental damage by humans; a character’s struggle with ADHD is a prominent theme of this book; vandalism; land being taken from Native Americans by settlers is mentioned.

Drugs/Alcohol Use:

Adults drink wine and beer with a meal; wine is used in cooking.