Turtles carry their entire homes on their backs, swim far out into the sea and return safely to the shore time and again. This serves as inspiration for Aref Al-Amri, whose family is moving from Muscat, Oman to Anne Arbor, Michigan for three years in order for his parents to complete their PhDs. Aref spends much of his last week with his grandfather, Sidi, walking down memory lane and taking in all of the wonders that nature has to offer as they sleep under the stars and scour the sand for unique stones. Sidi is full of gentle wisdom and sympathises with his grandson's worries, recalling a time when he didn't want for anything to change, because"Everything around me and inside me, felt all the right size." Yet, change it did and all was well. We learn about animals, plants, stars, and life from the duo's conversations and Aref's internal dialogue. By the end of the week, Aref is still sad to leave his home, but ready to embrace the uncertainty.
I can't think of a better book to read with a child or an entire class. There's much to discuss and also much to quietly ponder in this hearfelt tale of what it is to embrace change while keeping the past near.
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