Rescue on turtle beach

Gr 1--3--Max, a white boy with light hair, has always lived in Starry Bay. Sofia, a girl with brown skin and dark hair, is just visiting for the summer with her parents. While trying to save a seagull tangled up in fishing twine, they stumble across a part of Starry Bay that neither of them has ever seen before, and an abandoned fishing boat called the Wind Rider. These two environmentally minded kids are so intrigued they hop onto the boat and, before they know it, are magically whisked away to Hawaii. There, they encounter a new friend who's concerned that the baby sea turtles at the beach won't make it to the ocean because of light pollution. The three team up to prevent the turtles from losing their way before time runs out. This is the first installment in a new young reader chapter book series that promises to focus on manmade environmental issues. It features illustrations on almost every page and a simple, easy-to-follow story that emphasizes plot over character. Readers will learn scientific facts in a way that is informative but not didactic. Back matter includes Sofia's diagram of the Wind Rider, Max's favorite sea turtle facts, an overview of Hawaii's biodiversity, and notes on how to help save sea turtles. VERDICT This fun, imaginative series is similar to "The Magic Treehouse" and joins a growing movement toward STEM-focused stories in children's literature.--Gina Elbert, Bronxville P.L., NY

Adventure, an environmental theme, and a touch of magic come together in this early chapter book. Young Max lives with his grandfather in the mangrove-ringed seaside town of Starry Bay. One summer morning as they prepare to go out on Grandpa's old fishing boat, Max meets Sofia, whose family is summering there. Noticing a sea gull with fishing line wrapped around its leg, Max and Sofia follow it to a nearby mangrove forest where they help it, but more importantly they discover an old sailboat, the Wind Rider. It turns out the Wind Rider is a magical boat, and when Max accidentally takes hold of the helm, it transports them to Hawaii. There, adventure ensues as they help some sea turtle hatchlings threatened by light pollution make it safely from nest to sea. At the end of the book the author presents information on Hawaii and sea turtles as well as some suggestions on actions readers can take in their everyday lives to protect marine life. Much as in the Magic Tree House books in which readers learn history from Jack and Annie's escapades, readers of this new illustrated chapter-book series learn about present-day environmental threats to wildlife in fast-paced, entertaining adventures. Max has sandy-brown hair and presents White. Sofia has dark hair and skin, but her ethnicity is not specified. Sequel Search for the Scarlet Macaws, publishing simultaneously, takes Max and Sofia to the Amazon rainforest. Engaging, positive, and informative--perfect for newly minted chapter-book readers. (Adventure. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.