Adelita, A Sea Turtle's Journey

by Jenny Goebel, Ana Miminoshvili (Illustrator)

The remarkable true story of the first sea turtle to be tracked across the Pacific Ocean.

One moonlit night, a young loggerhead sea turtle crawled into the ocean. As she swam and rode currents, she wandered far from the beach where she'd hatched. How far? Nobody knew for sure. In 1996, this turtle, caught in Mexico, was given a name―Adelita―and a satellite tag was attached to her shell. Then she was set free in the Pacific Ocean. Adelita’s astonishing journey home led to a new understanding of sea turtles and inspired changes that have made the world a better place for them.

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Animals, Childrens, Nonfiction, Nature, Stem

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2020

About the author

Jenny Goebel is the author of GRAVE IMAGES, a forthcoming middle grade novel from Scholastic (Nov 1,2013).

She lives just outside of Denver, and if she's not hiking up a mountain or mothering, or doing both simultaneously, she's probably sitting at her computer writing.

Reviews

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

True story about a sea-turtle and her long journey.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mom's Review
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for sea turtles, so Adelita naturally appealed.

And it lived up to my hopes. Blue-hued pages evoke the ocean as the story pulls events and facts together into a compelling narrative that can amaze and inspire readers of all ages. The story is this: a young loggerhead turtle (Adelita) is rescued off the coast of California, rehabilitated in Mexico, and released after being fitted with a tracker. She then swims for over a year, all the way to Japan to lay her eggs. The ending is simultaneously sad and uplifting; Adelita disappears, but news of her journey spreads around the globe and inspires conservation efforts throughout the Pacific.

Between the story, the pictures, and the underlying environmentalism, Adelita is an all-around winner.

Son's Review
Is this a true story? I think it is.

I learned that it's true. I didn't know what, but I learned that.

At the end, it's kind of sad because we don't know what happened to her. Did a fisherman caught her? Did she get eaten? I don't know.

Note: A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of sea turtle Adelita is a narrative nonfiction that hits the sweet spot of sharing solid science content in an accessible format for anyone from toddlers to teens. The birth and first years of Adelita's life are necessarily conjecture, although entirely scientific. There's plenty to cheer about along the way, as various individuals notice and take actions that save Adelita's life. There are also plenty of moments to fear for her safety along the way. When it comes to unsung heroes, we can count among them the fisherman and scientist who kept her alive for many years, but also their scientific curiosity and engagement fo a global community in following Adelita's GPS tracked journey "home".
No spoilers here, except to say that this is a book you won't want to miss. Readers will undoubtedly fall in love with sea turtles and want to learn more, and it could well spark future marine biology careers.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting but slightly sad tale about using satellite tracking to determine the migratory route of a loggerhead turtle in the mid-1990s. It was an effort that did result in increased conservation efforts for loggerhead turtles, and bears close ties to the start of the internet since her migration was a viral sensation in the days before going viral was really a thing. All the international attention her migration garnered made her a tracking data something that the whole world knew about. Her story was presented well here. The illustrations are clear and inviting. The writing is engaging and easily understood. It's nice that a story like hers won't be lost thanks to a book like this one.

[Doe Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adelita's journey is astonishing--and the work of the people who found her, cared for her, and, upon releasing her, tracked her journey is truly remarkable and invaluable. Goebel's text is clear and concise and also imbued with emotion. The illustrations are vivid and appealing. The backmatter is tightly and tidily organized and will entice young readers (and others) to deepen their understanding of marine life, ecology, satellite tracking, and the imperatives of ocean and wildlife conservation. Very intriguing here is the connection between the development of satellites for space science and the development of satellites for ocean science.

[Alexandra Alessandri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Goebel's ADELITA, A SEA TURTLE'S JOURNEY, beautifully illustrated by Ana Miminoshvili, is a wonderful view into the journey of a loggerhead sea turtle that's sure to pull your heartstrings. We start with a lovely and sensory description of the hatchling going out to sea, and that's followed by the facts and details of her incredible journey across the Pacific Ocean. Those who love sea turtles and those who love learning about sea animals will be sure to love Goebel's ADELITA!

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book about the beautiful and formidable sea turtle Adelita, who launched a turtle conservation movement. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because there was a bit of a point of view shift in the beginning that was a little jarring. But overall, this is a great book for all the turtle-loving littles in your life.*

* I received an uncorrected advance copy for purposes of review.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered about the life of a sea turtle? This is a great picture book that follows the life of Adelita, the loggerhead sea turtle that touched people’s hearts and brought awareness to the plight of sea turtles. The ocean is safer for sea turtles today than when Adelita raced across the Pacific. A great resource for teaching the importance of people working together.

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not super engaging, but a clear and informative story about the sea turtle Adelita, who had a tracker device affixed to her shell which helped reveal the immense distance she swam across the ocean to nest. Luminous and attractive illustrations.

Themes: Ocean, Migration, Turtles, Home, Journey
Age range: 5-11

[Elizabeth Stiert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this very interesting! My 4 yr old, who loves sea turtles, liked it very much, though he had a hard time staying with it. It's a little information heavy for a 4 yr old, but we still enjoyed it!

[Erin Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and educational story about sea turtles' journeys as well as conservation. Illustrations are beautiful.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facinating

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adelita is an amazing true story of a sea turtle who is rescued and returned to the ocean. (sea turtle, scientist, marine life, conservation, pollution)

[Bee (BacchusVines) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading about the continuing efforts to protect sea turtles and Adelita, a sea turtle's journey is a great way to introduce kids to conservation too!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sea turtle's journey helped us start learning about them and how we need to protect them.

[Tranylle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fascinating. The kids loved it and were sad to hear her fate.

[Jill CD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just enough of a story to keep students engaged and it is loaded with information. Great book if you want to introduce this genre and have students gather more facts.

[Julia Tyser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and Jenny's storytelling is lovely. So inspirational!