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Table of Contents
About The Book
“A moving story about sisterhood, family, and overcoming the insurmountable mountain that is grief.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Elegiac and beautiful, del Rosario’s tale plumbs the deep relationships between sisters with grace and compassion.” —Booklist
A teen navigates questions of grief, identity, and guilt in the wake of her sister’s mysterious disappearance in this breathtaking novel-in-verse from the author of 500 Words or Less—perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo.
Rowena feels like her family is a frayed string of lights that someone needs to fix with electrical tape. After her mother died a few years ago, she and her sister, Ariana, drifted into their own corners of the world, each figuring out in their own separate ways how to exist in a world in which their mother is no longer alive.
But then Ariana disappears under the cover of night in the middle of a snowstorm, leaving no trace or tracks. When Row wakes up to a world of snow and her sister’s empty bedroom, she is left to piece together the mystery behind where Ariana went and why, realizing along the way that she might be part of the reason Ariana is gone.
Haunting and evocative—and told in dual perspectives—Turtle under Ice examines two sisters frozen by grief as they search for a way to unthaw.
“Elegiac and beautiful, del Rosario’s tale plumbs the deep relationships between sisters with grace and compassion.” —Booklist
A teen navigates questions of grief, identity, and guilt in the wake of her sister’s mysterious disappearance in this breathtaking novel-in-verse from the author of 500 Words or Less—perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo.
Rowena feels like her family is a frayed string of lights that someone needs to fix with electrical tape. After her mother died a few years ago, she and her sister, Ariana, drifted into their own corners of the world, each figuring out in their own separate ways how to exist in a world in which their mother is no longer alive.
But then Ariana disappears under the cover of night in the middle of a snowstorm, leaving no trace or tracks. When Row wakes up to a world of snow and her sister’s empty bedroom, she is left to piece together the mystery behind where Ariana went and why, realizing along the way that she might be part of the reason Ariana is gone.
Haunting and evocative—and told in dual perspectives—Turtle under Ice examines two sisters frozen by grief as they search for a way to unthaw.
Excerpt
Chapter 1: Row Row
When your older sister disappears
under the cover of night,
during a snowstorm,
leaving no tracks
and no trace,
someone should notice.
I noticed.
When she wasn’t jockeying
for the shower.
When she wasn’t sprawled
across the sectional
mindlessly scrolling through socials.
When she wasn’t being
a total bitch.
But Ariana isn’t here.
Her open bedroom door
exposes a tidy,
silent room
with a slightly rumpled duvet cover,
emanating the smell
of verbena-coconut body wash
into the hall.
I don’t know where she went.
I don’t know how long she’s gone for,
but I’m afraid that
she might never return.
Because for the past few months
I feel like Ariana has become
that one station on the car radio
that gains more static
the farther away you drive,
like she is the one
driving farther away
from something.
But I don’t know
what that something is,
and I don’t know
where she is heading.
Maybe it’s us.
Maybe she’s driving
farther away from our history,
trying to find
her own future.
Without us.
Without me.
When your older sister disappears
under the cover of night,
during a snowstorm,
leaving no tracks
and no trace,
someone should notice.
I noticed.
When she wasn’t jockeying
for the shower.
When she wasn’t sprawled
across the sectional
mindlessly scrolling through socials.
When she wasn’t being
a total bitch.
But Ariana isn’t here.
Her open bedroom door
exposes a tidy,
silent room
with a slightly rumpled duvet cover,
emanating the smell
of verbena-coconut body wash
into the hall.
I don’t know where she went.
I don’t know how long she’s gone for,
but I’m afraid that
she might never return.
Because for the past few months
I feel like Ariana has become
that one station on the car radio
that gains more static
the farther away you drive,
like she is the one
driving farther away
from something.
But I don’t know
what that something is,
and I don’t know
where she is heading.
Maybe it’s us.
Maybe she’s driving
farther away from our history,
trying to find
her own future.
Without us.
Without me.
About The Author
Photograph copyright (c) 2018 by Flor Blake
Juleah del Rosario is Chamorro and Filipina, and lives in Colorado where she works as a librarian. She is the author of 500 Words or Less and Turtle under Ice. Her favorite animal is and always has been a turtle.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (April 13, 2021)
- Length: 288 pages
- ISBN13: 9781534442962
- Ages: 12 - 99
Browse Related Books
Awards and Honors
- Colorado Book Awards Finalist
- Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Turtle under Ice Trade Paperback 9781534442962
- Author Photo (jpg): Juleah del Rosario Photograph copyright (c) 2018 by Flor Blake(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
