In a collection of eight short stories, children on islands around the world make connections to nature while facing life-changing events. Each child experiences a significant emotional turning point at the same time they encounter a turtle--real or imagined. A prologue tells of a sea turtle that was tracked making an extraordinarily long journey, while an epilogue is written from that turtle's point of view. Back matter shares information about sea turtles and snapping turtles.

Fox bones (Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada) --Heart troubles (Manhattan, New York, United States) -- Lost on Komodo Island (Komodo Island) -- Turtle Shell Island (New South Wales, Australia) -- Fast fashion (Amelia Island, Florida, United States) -- Only for Ariel (Copenhagen, Denmark) -- Home of the little penguins (Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia) -- Kura kura (Nias Island, Indonesia) -- The hungry turtle (Langkawi Island, Malaysia, and Singapore).