Turtle Feet, Surfer's Beat
By Marina Kuperman
ISBN-10: 0-9801109-0-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-9801109-0-6
Paperback
November 15, 2007
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews.

See my full review at Breeni Books.

Youth and conservation meet in Marina Kuperman’s November 2007 young adult novel, Turtle Feet, Surfer’s Beat. Penelope Lennox is a teen struggling with her parents’ impending divorce, an obnoxious brother plunging headlong into puberty, and her own immediate breakup with her jock boyfriend. If only she had some type of distraction to keep her mind off her troubles.

Photographing Leatherback turtles is her father’s latest assignment. Volunteering at the Leatherback Biological Center may help keep her occupied during her family’s trip to Costa Rica, whether it is by choice or not. The turtles are amazing creatures, and caring for them gives her a sense of purpose and an appreciation for the beauty of nature. When she stumbles upon a gorgeous surfer with a fondness for the turtles on one of her night shifts, her charity work certainly begins to seem worthwhile. She can even tolerate the roaches that share her cot in the center, if it means she has something in common with Kendall.

Kendall seems too good to be true, but he has definitely got the hots for Penelope. They quickly fall into a pattern of spending all of their free time together, and Kendall gives Penelope a tour of the island. Everyone on the island loves Kendall and treats him like a celebrity, especially a trio of “Barbies.” One of these surfer girls, Toni, has her sight set on Kendall, and she will do whatever it takes to snatch him away from Penelope.

Despite the underlying aim of the book to garner the reader’s sympathy for the cause of an endangered species, it is very much a young adult novel laden with teenaged concerns. Kuperman packs the story with interesting facts about the Leatherback turtle, introducing the reader to a species that desperately needs help for survival. Even with all of this information, Penelope’s conversational narrative and cheeky teenage perspective keeps the reader’s interest. She relates her adventure as if speaking with a friend. Best of all, 10% of the proceeds from purchasing Turtle Feet, Surfer’s Beat actually works toward saving the Leatherback turtle and other marine animals.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Left on bench in sea lion exhibit.