She’s about to invent a genius solution. But when her AI pal goes AWOL, can she find her friend while designing a life-saving device?
Twelve-year-old Putney Hicks is ready to spring into action. As news spreads of a legendary three-legged turtle laying its eggs, she fears that the bright lights of a nearby porch will tempt the vulnerable babies away from the ocean. And with only ten days left before they hatch, Putney works furiously on a clever prototype to save the newborns before they become easy prey for hungry predators.
Just as the ingenious middle schooler makes progress on her design, she’s terrified when her beloved AI companion vanishes. And without her trusted helper by her side, Putney’s frantic efforts to rescue the tiny reptiles could be in jeopardy.
With the clock ticking, can she track down her smart sidekick and help the hatchlings survive?
The Sea Turtle Spy Project is the energizing fourth book in the award-winning Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures middle grade series. If you like courageous young girls, seaside settings, and science-inspired curiosity, then you’ll love Marsha Tufft’s fun-filled mission.
Buy The Sea Turtle Spy Project to defend the defenseless today! ★★★★★ Move over Nancy Drew and Angus MacGyver and make room for Putney and Sam in The Sea Turtle Spy Project by Marsha Tufft. As someone who has lived in Hilton Head, I really liked how the author incorporated the problem-solving process and prototype screen that was utilized to save two sea turtle nests on Hilton Head Island. – Readers’ Favorite ★★★★★ Marsha Tufft’s middle-grade mystery, The Sea Turtle Spy Project, is the fourth book in the Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures series. Combining mystery, middle school drama, and conservation into a compelling plot makes this an engaging and educational read. The Hilton Head sea turtle dilemma is a very real problem. Weaving this issue with spies and technological wonders, the plot involves considerable problem-solving skills which will inspire young readers with their own abilities to solve problems by addressing difficult issues and taking a step-by-step process to unravel and overcome them. The interesting Foreword provides some background on the sea turtles of Hilton Head. This sparks the reader’s interest and the unraveling mystery that follows will have young readers settling into a good Nancy Drew type of drama. The descriptive narrative, background information on the sea turtles, technological advances, compelling dialogue, and character development all come together to capture the young reader’s attention right from the beginning. – Readers’ Favorite
★★★★★ Author Marsha Tufft brings us a truly informative adventure in the fourth book of the Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures series. In The Sea Turtle Spy Project, 12-year-old Putney tries to find a solution to help protect baby sea turtles reaching the ocean. In particular, the babies of Stumpy are of great importance to everyone. During this challenge, Putney and her school friends are involved in another charity event to help raise funds for animal shelters during a hurricane. In the meantime, Sam is always by her side, whether in hiding in the magical eyepad or in holographic form. Putney has to keep Sam a secret to keep her safe from the people behind “The Ghost” and KITE. Should Sam fall into the wrong hands, who knows what might happen? – Readers’ Favorite
I remember being in seventh grade and learning about introducing a bill to congress. Our homework was to come up with an idea for a bill that we would introduce. I could relate to this story, all these years later, and students in a similar situation wanting to do something for shelter animals-just as I did in my "bill" back then! The seaside issue with baby turtles in this book is no less amazing, because my city also took part in a project to change the direction that the streetlights shine, so that the baby sea turtles can find their way back to the ocean! I love books with issues that get readers to thinking and turning the pages all the way to the end!
“The Sea Turtle Spy Project: Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures-Book 4” by Marsha Klopmeier Tufft is the BREW Children's Book Excellence Award 2023 Action and Adventure Category winner (Ref: https://thechrysalisbrewproject.com/b...)
A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW 8th August 2022 TITLE: The Sea Turtle Spy Project AUTHOR: Marsha Tufft Star Rating: 4
‘A suspense-filled story for 9 – 12 year olds with a strong, female protagonist.’ A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
REVIEW I had a very enjoyable evening tucked up on the sofa enjoying this superbly written children’s story. It follows a young girl called Putney who wants to be an artist/inventor like Leonardo da Vinci. She´s determined to help a sea turtle´s offspring get to the water. But there´s a problem! And the young inventor is going to have to pull out all the stops if she´s going to help. I must say, there’s plenty of pace in this novel, and there’s plenty happening to keep most 9 – 12 year old children interested. In parts, it is even inspiring with a hefty dollop of suspense. Will Putney finish her device before they hatch? And what´s happened to Sam, her AI pal? In terms of the writing style, this is pretty much spot on. There´s plenty of speech (which helps with pacing) and the descriptive prose is well-written and not overly long – which will go down well with this restless age group! All in all, this is a well-thought out story backed up by a clever mystery. There´s also a lot in here for children with inquiring minds. Mathematics, science, finding solutions to environmental problems, and, best of all, a strong, female protagonist who wants to do good. I´m very happy to recommend this novel to children (and parents) looking for a story filled with adventure, suspense and a love and respect of the natural environment. Putney is the sort of girl who´s determined to do the right thing; what better role model is there?
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought: Title: The Sea Turtle Spy Project: Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures – Book 4 Author: Marsha Tufft
Star Rating: 4 Stars Number of Readers: 15 Stats Editing: 7/10 Writing Style: 7/10 Content: 7/10 Cover: 3/5
Of the 15 readers: 12 would read another book by this author. 11 thought the cover was good or excellent. 13 felt it was easy to follow. 12 would recommend this book to another reader to try. Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’. Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’. Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’. 13 felt the pacing was good or excellent. 12 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments “I liked how Putney is such a good inventor and engineer. She´s a good role model for kids.” Girl, aged 12 “I thought this was a sweet novel with a cool protagonist for readers to root for. This book is all about problem solving which is good for the mind.” Girl, aged 12 “I didn´t get into this book at first, but it got much better as I kept going. I liked the dilemma facing Putney, and the magical eyePad was cool. I could do with getting one! I think this book is different to many others as the hero is a girl, she´s supersmart, and she´s mega determined. She´s sort of like Hermione without the magic.” Boy, aged 12 – with a little help from his mum “This is a good book if you like nature and inventing stuff.” Boy, aged 10
To Sum It Up: ‘A fast-paced novel for 9 – 12 year olds with a strong, girl protagonist.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards