In the heart of Oman, where the desert kisses the sea, young Aref Al-Amri finds himself at a crossroads, caught between the comfort of his vibrant homeland and the unknown promises of America. Naomi Shihab Nye’s "The Turtle of Oman" is a tender exploration of the bonds that tie us to home, seen through the eyes of a boy who is not ready to leave his world behind. As Aref resists the impending move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his parents, his refusal to pack becomes a silent protest against change, a plea to hold onto the life he loves. It is Aref's grandfather, Siddi, who understands the language of his heart. Through a series of adventures that weave through the fabric of Oman—from the whispering sands of the desert to the gentle waves of the Gulf—Siddi and Aref embark on a journey of farewell. Each adventure, rich with the essence of Omani culture and the majesty of its landscapes, is a lesson in love, loss, and the power of memory. Naomi Shihab Nye crafts a narrative that is as much a map of the human heart as it is a tribute to Oman, filling Aref’s suitcase, and ours, with more than just stones; she fills it with a sense of belonging that transcends borders, making "The Turtle of Oman" a poignant meditation on finding home wherever we may go.