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The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle
CCBC Review:
This account by a marine biologist follows a green sea turtle from her hatching and treacherous journey into the ocean to her return years later to that same spot to lay eggs of her own. From a nest of approximately 100 baby turtles, she is one of just ten that survives predation on land and in water to then follow a path through the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. At a couple of years of age she is less susceptible to predators, but still faces threats from large sharks, although an evasive maneuver of rolling her body sideways so the width of her carapace faces the shark’s mouth is a successful tactic. Human-made nets are more difficult to evade and pose a significant risk to sea turtles. When she reaches 30 years, the sea turtle returns to the shore where she hatched to dig a nest and lay her eggs within it. The book closes with a final illustration of her hatchlings embarking on their own secret life. The stunningly realistic illustrations are equally adept at capturing scenes on land and underwater. Six pages of added information at the book’s end include suggestions of ways to protect sea turtles, highlight differences among sea turtle species, and describe how to become a sea turtle researcher. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Alex Boersma
CCBC Age Recommendation: 4-8
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Animals (Informational)
Migration
Survival
Publisher:
Roaring Brook
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 48
ISBN: 9781250901675
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 597 Bearzi