Twig and Turtle 1

October 1, 2020

Gr 2-4-Jacobson's new early reader series follows sisters Twig and Turtle, who are navigating a new life and new school in small-town Colorado. Third grader Twig is the exuberant, curly-haired counterpart to her quieter sister Turtle, who has straight hair with dyed pink ends. Their parents decided they wanted a simpler life, so the family has moved to a tiny home. Many things had to be left behind, including Twig's beloved Great Dane, Bo. Twig finds out her grandmother is no longer able to keep Bo, so she comes up with an idea to convince her principal that having a therapy dog in school will help children improve their reading skills. Twig teams up with her new friends from the social skills club, Angela and David, to write an opinion piece on the importance of therapy dogs. She prepares a class presentation and invites the principal to attend. A sweet surprise ending ensures that when Bo is not helping the children at school, he will have a safe and happy home nearby. Franco's illustrations depict Twig, Turtle, and their family as white. VERDICT An adorable introduction to a great series about sibling bonding and friendship, reminiscent of a contemporary Beezus and Ramona tale. A solid addition to any children's library collection.-Annmarie Braithwaite, New York P.L., New York City

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 15, 2020
There are so many challenging changes in Twig's world. Twig and her little sister, Turtle, are facing a first day of school for the third time, and it's only October. Their parents sold their home in Boston, moved temporarily to live with Grandma in Denver, and now to a new, tiny house in Happy Trails, Colorado, so confining that almost everything had to be left behind, including Bo, a beloved Great Dane. When Grandma tells them she has found a new family for Bo, Twig must find a way to get him back. With the help of new friends and teachers, and a lot of research and planning, Twig comes up with an amazing solution that will bring Bo back into her life, help children with reading, and provide companionship for Mr. Kim, the school custodian (who appears only twice in the action). Readers will find Twig and Turtle delightful, coping with their unusual and interesting obstacles with determination and great resourcefulness. Unfortunately Jacobson's cast of secondary characters is quite one-dimensional. Upsetting actions at first meetings with classmates are revealed to be completely unintentional and easily explained away. Mom and Dad are loving but distracted. The Social Skills Club leader leads her charges unerringly to self-awareness and happiness. Even Writing Workshop protocols are perfectly aligned with Twig's success. Twig and Turtle's family presents White; illustrations reveal a vibrantly diverse student body. Sequel Toy Store Trouble publishes simultaneously. Superficial--but still comforting and reassuring, with problems neatly tied up and solved. (Fiction. 7-9)

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