- Reading level: Ages 7 and up
- Paperback: 112 pages
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (March 5, 2013)
- ISBN-10: 1402280947
- Source: Publisher
Bindi Irwin is the thirteen-year-old daughter of wildlife conservationists Steve and Terri Irwin. Although her father passed away a few years ago while working with wildlife, his life-long passion, Bindi and her brother continue his legacy.
In Surfing With Turtles, the eight book in the Bindi Wildlife Adventures series, a host of young readers are introduced to an exciting wildlife adventure with Bindi and friends. Off the coast of Mexico and California, Bindi and her American friend Kelly are on a surf-ari, catching some pretty amazing waves along the way. One day, a green sea turtle joins them while surfing. The two girls learn about a volunteer turtle restoration team and are given the opportunity to participate themselves in a night watch to protect the turtle nests from poachers. It is then they see a fellow surfer acting strangely, disturbing a nest of green sea turtles. Bindi realizes he has more than surfing on his mind and decides to keep an eye on him. Her instincts are correct; Bindi is able to prevent the man from transporting a captured animal across the border!
I am excited to have the opportunity to review this book with my youngest soon, Justin. At seven years old, Justin is an avid reader. When I was pitched this book for review, I enjoyed having the opportunity to read this book with him. Our family has been fans of Bindi since she first appeared on her father’s show at just three years old! Over the years, we have enjoyed watching her grow up and continue her father’s great work.
Following are Justin’s thoughts on the book, followed by mine. Other than correcting his spelling, the following review is Justin’s in its entirety:
Hello everyone! My Mom said I should tell you if I liked this book or not. I DID! Bindi is a little girl who goes on adventures, learning about animals I have only seen at the zoo. Even though she is a girl, she is fun because she does things that girls in my class would never do. Like in this book, she picks up a snake with her own hands! Also, she goes surfing and even though a wave crashes into her, she doesn’t freak out and just knows what to do. I also really liked this book because it sort of had a mystery to it. I wanted to know what the bad surfer guy was going to do next. I also learned a lot about sea turtles and how to protect them. I really think you should read this book, if you are a boy or a girl. I really liked it and want to read more about Bindi’s adventures.
My review:
Like Justin, I appreciated reading about a little girl who was strong and able to step outside of what is expected of a young girl. She’s witty, intelligent, and has a great sense of humor. Her excitement about animal conservation helps educate children her age and younger about what can be done to protect the wildlife around us. While this book is geared for children ages seven and up, I do believe some of the language is a bit above that age level. Fortunately, I was able to read it alongside Justin and provide him an explanation of what some of the terms meant. So, with the caveat that the book be read with a parent, I do agree with the age range used to describe this book. Overall, I do think it would be an excellent addition to any home or school library. Like Justin, I look forward to reading more of Bindi’s adventures!
Did you know that BINDI WILDLIFE ADVENTURES series donates a portion of all proceeds to the Australia Zoo Conservation Projects? Each book is a new adventure for Wildlife Warrior Bindi Irwin and a chance for children to experience new places and new ideas.
Bindi is starring in Return to Nim’s Island, based on the Nim books by Australian author Wendy Or. The movie will premiere in the U.S. this March on the Hallmark Channel and will be available on DVD March 19.
