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Ecowarriors #1
Turtle Walk
When Samantha Steadman starts high school at a boarding school in the Ukahlamba Drakensberg Mountains, little does she know that she will soon be engaged in an ecological war for the survival of the endangered leatherback turtle. Their adventures range from dangerous nighttime skirmishes with illegal fishermen, to crazy antics for television cameras. Samantha and her friends - rich and sassy Jessie Delaney, and cabinet minister's daughter Nomusa Gule - take the fight from the classroom to the open seas. Back at school, they have to deal with romances and heartbreaks, a joint musical production with the neighboring boys' school, encounters with an eccentric bunch of teachers, conflicts with parents and skirmishes with bitter rivals. Together they will need to find the strength to cope, and the hope that comes from knowing that individuals can make a difference.
- GenresYoung Adult
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2012
13 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Macgregor
16 books200 followersWhen not writing, Joanne Macgregor is a counselling psychologist in private practice where she works mainly with victims of crime and trauma.
Although she lives in the frenetic adrenaline-rush of the big city, Joanne has always been in love with nature, and escapes into the wilds whenever she can. She's a Harry Potter fanatic, bakes the best choc-chip cookies on the planet, and is addicted to chilies and bulletproof coffee.
She started her professional life as a high school English teacher and loves writing about, and for, teens. She is the author of several books for Young Adults - Scarred, Recoil, Refuse, Rebel, Hushed and The law of Tall Girls.
Although she lives in the frenetic adrenaline-rush of the big city, Joanne has always been in love with nature, and escapes into the wilds whenever she can. She's a Harry Potter fanatic, bakes the best choc-chip cookies on the planet, and is addicted to chilies and bulletproof coffee.
She started her professional life as a high school English teacher and loves writing about, and for, teens. She is the author of several books for Young Adults - Scarred, Recoil, Refuse, Rebel, Hushed and The law of Tall Girls.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 13, 2019
I’ve read a few Joanne Macgregor books – both those written as Joanne Macgregor (The Law of Tall Girls, Recoil, and Hushed) and those written as Jo Macgregor (The First Time I Died and The First Time I Fell) – and have enjoyed them all. In fact, each time I enjoy a Joanne Macgregor book I tell myself to go and read all the author’s other work. Thus, when the chance came to read Turtle Walk, I was all over it.
Turtle Walk is the first book in the Ecowarriors series, aimed at slightly younger readers than Joanne Macgregor’s usual target audience, but it is a great read for all ages. It’s a story that grips on many levels, along with sending a great message. It pulls you in deep, ensuring you power through the story, and by the time you reach the end you will be ready for book two.
With great characters and a story that has plenty packed into it, Turtle Walk ensures you’re given a read that will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading. It will have you wearing a wide smile at the sweet moments, it will have you thinking at the important messages, and it will satisfy you throughout.
Without a doubt, Turtle Walk is another wonderful read from Joanne Macgregor.
Turtle Walk is the first book in the Ecowarriors series, aimed at slightly younger readers than Joanne Macgregor’s usual target audience, but it is a great read for all ages. It’s a story that grips on many levels, along with sending a great message. It pulls you in deep, ensuring you power through the story, and by the time you reach the end you will be ready for book two.
With great characters and a story that has plenty packed into it, Turtle Walk ensures you’re given a read that will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading. It will have you wearing a wide smile at the sweet moments, it will have you thinking at the important messages, and it will satisfy you throughout.
Without a doubt, Turtle Walk is another wonderful read from Joanne Macgregor.
October 28, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, even though it is aimed at a younger target readership than my own.
Through my childhood years, I read and loved Enid Blyton's boarding school books before graduating to the magic of JK Rowling's Hogwarts and the Michaelhouse of John van de Ruit's comical pen. In my opinion, Joanne Macgregor work compares favourably with these titles, as she delves into age-appropriate storylines and characters and a theme of ecological awareness that's of vital relevance in the times in which we find ourselves.
This book is afro-centric, as it should be, considering that it is set in South Africa. The visual descriptions of the land itself, in all of it's vividness, colour and texture, brings the countyside to life along with its inhabitants - both human and animal.
I could go on for a few paragraphs more, but I wouldn't know where to end, so I will simply say: read this. It is well worth it!
Through my childhood years, I read and loved Enid Blyton's boarding school books before graduating to the magic of JK Rowling's Hogwarts and the Michaelhouse of John van de Ruit's comical pen. In my opinion, Joanne Macgregor work compares favourably with these titles, as she delves into age-appropriate storylines and characters and a theme of ecological awareness that's of vital relevance in the times in which we find ourselves.
This book is afro-centric, as it should be, considering that it is set in South Africa. The visual descriptions of the land itself, in all of it's vividness, colour and texture, brings the countyside to life along with its inhabitants - both human and animal.
I could go on for a few paragraphs more, but I wouldn't know where to end, so I will simply say: read this. It is well worth it!
November 19, 2019
Hey moms and dads, if you’re like me you like to know something about the books your precious children are reading. Well rest assured, Turtle Walk by Joanne Macgregor is age appropriate – there is no swearing or blasphemy, nothing of a sexual nature other than a brief reference to an older sibling kissing his girlfriend. The story revolves around three thirteen year old girls entering grade 8 (first year of high school) who strike up a friendship. The girls have to deal with jealousy, bullying, heartache and teenage crushes – a common theme for books directed at this audience. However Joanne has also managed to weave in a wonderful story of ecology with a bit of adventure build in.
I’m a huge fan of Joanne’s adult and young adult literature, and so I thought I’d try out some of her work directed at younger readers. I was not disappointed; the writing is of the same high calibre that I am used to in her other genres.
I’m a huge fan of Joanne’s adult and young adult literature, and so I thought I’d try out some of her work directed at younger readers. I was not disappointed; the writing is of the same high calibre that I am used to in her other genres.
February 25, 2020
Joanne Macgregor has written a great South African boarding school story, with an eco-warrior element added into the other trials and tribulations of growing up.
Samantha Steadman is a scholarship girl at an elite Drakensberg school. She and her best friends Jessie Delaney and Nomusa Gule deal with all the academic, social and artistic challenges the school has to offer, in an exciting adventure that culminates in their activism to save the leatherback turtles that are threatened by illegal fishing off the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
If you've loved boarding school stories - think Mallory Towers or Harry Potter - you'll enjoy this South African take on the genre, with a lot of current issues to make it relevant, and positive themes of friendship, generosity and care for the environment for the younger reader.
I read it to my almost 11-year-old, and she loved it too.
Samantha Steadman is a scholarship girl at an elite Drakensberg school. She and her best friends Jessie Delaney and Nomusa Gule deal with all the academic, social and artistic challenges the school has to offer, in an exciting adventure that culminates in their activism to save the leatherback turtles that are threatened by illegal fishing off the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
If you've loved boarding school stories - think Mallory Towers or Harry Potter - you'll enjoy this South African take on the genre, with a lot of current issues to make it relevant, and positive themes of friendship, generosity and care for the environment for the younger reader.
I read it to my almost 11-year-old, and she loved it too.
November 3, 2019
A well crafted book for the 10-14 year old. The pace is right for the intended year group and it has all it needs to be interesting: being new in a school, finding friends, and foes, dealing with secret admiration and learning to grow up. Wrapped up in this is the valued message that it matters what you want and what you do – care for your environment and also find a place in this world that suits you even if other people would like to see you fall or your own parents have other plans.
Written way before Greta Thunberg but I hope it gets picked up in the current tide around her, it certainly fits the bill.
Written way before Greta Thunberg but I hope it gets picked up in the current tide around her, it certainly fits the bill.
November 4, 2019
An intriguing adventure and also hugely interesting. The young girls in this book have great individual characters, as well as strong personalities. The plot is cleverly woven to include a whole education on turtles, which definitely results in a desire to haunt beaches at night to watch these amazing creatures. It also inspires ecological awareness and a desire to help wherever we can. A thoroughly enjoyable read for both young adults and old adults.
February 18, 2020
If you think starting high school is bad, join Samantha as a scholarship student at an elite boarding school! Fortunately she lucks out when her two roommates soon become fast friends. Little does the trio know that a holiday at the beach will set them on a path to saving an endangered species. Can three young teens really make a political difference in their world?
November 3, 2019
This is a great story to read and I recommend it to all.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
November 4, 2019
This was a great story of adventure and friendship. I would recommend to anyone with young girls look for an exciting and fun story to read.
July 3, 2021
56889)
November 16, 2019
This was a really sweet read and a perfect book for young teenagers. It was sweet with a great storyline that kept you gripped to the book the entire way through. Different to Joanne’s normal books but beautifully done .
Currently reading
August 15, 2020Lizard: 4⋆.
Wombat: Pending⋆.
Overall: Pending⋆.
Wombat: Pending⋆.
Overall: Pending⋆.
November 7, 2019
This novel was nice enough but needs more turtles!
So I have been wanting to read the 'Eco-Warrior' series for a while. I love the idea of kids fighting for the environment, and I thought this was the exact kind of book my childhood self would've been into. Unfortunately, the novel is more skewed towards the high-school drama than the turtle-saving. But I looooved the turtle-saving scenes! These scenes grabbed my attention with great action and suspense.
This novel has a lot of set up to do for the next novels in the series, so I hope, now that's done, the other novels in the series may be a little bit more animal-focussed.
So I have been wanting to read the 'Eco-Warrior' series for a while. I love the idea of kids fighting for the environment, and I thought this was the exact kind of book my childhood self would've been into. Unfortunately, the novel is more skewed towards the high-school drama than the turtle-saving. But I looooved the turtle-saving scenes! These scenes grabbed my attention with great action and suspense.
This novel has a lot of set up to do for the next novels in the series, so I hope, now that's done, the other novels in the series may be a little bit more animal-focussed.
November 13, 2019
A really charming gem. I like how high school was a lot like I experienced it. Lovely how the eco story was brought in.
January 29, 2015
How refreshing - a well written school/adventure story set in real locations in South Africa. I've now read Rock Steady too and the author has written 2 entertaining, believable girls' stories that I am very happy to recommend to our younger high school students.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews