Book excerpt: A little box turtle has a big impact on a well-meaning couple who rescue him from a busy road near his hatching site. Buttons, as the plucky turtle is named, soon becomes a cherished member of the family. Pet lovers of all ages will appreciate the stories, both humorous and serious, that offer insight into the lives of these hard-shelled creatures. Told from Buttons’s point of view, My Turtle Journal includes a story about his early days learning to trust the two people he thinks of as his parents as well as one about a serious medical issue. Buttons provides welcome companionship to the couple, especially his father, who has a debilitating back problem. In fact, playing games with his Daddy on the bed is one of Buttons’s favorite activities. This chapter book, filled with colorful images, takes readers into the mind of this loveable character who just happens to have a shell. Whether he’s catching crickets, changing the TV channel or playing hide and seek, Buttons keeps his adoptive parents guessing at what he will do next. When a grim situation arises, his entire future is at risk. A heartbreaking option seems to be the only solultion, but will Buttons get the happy ending he deserves instead?