Kathryn Holmes - Tally Tuttle Turns into a Turtle

PUBLISHERS NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Holmes, Kathryn, 1982- author. | Landy, Ariel, illustrator.

Title: Tally Tuttle turns into a turtle / Kathryn Holmes ; [illustrations by Ariel Landy].

Description: New York : Amulet Books, 2021. | Series: Class critters ; book 1 | Audience: Ages 6 to 9. | Summary: Tally Tuttle, a shy, new-in-town second-grader, magically transforms into a turtle on the first day of school, and in order to transform back to herself she must learn how to come out of her shell both literally and figuratively. Includes ten fun facts about painted turtles.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020051896 | ISBN 9781419755675 (hardcover)

Subjects: CYAC: BashfulnessFiction. | TurtlesFiction. | First day of schoolFiction.

Classification: LCC PZ7.H7358 Tal 2021 | DDC [Fic]dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020051896

eISBN 978-1-64700-426-2

Text copyright 2021 Kathryn Holmes

Illustrations copyright 2021 Ariel Landy

Book design by Marcie Lawrence

Published in 2021 by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

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For Evie

It was the first day of school, and Tally Tuttles stomach hurt.

She sank into the soft leather of the back seat as her big sister, Scarlett, jumped out of the car, shouting, Bye, Mom! Come on, Tally!

Scarlett didnt seem nervous at all. Maybe Tally was nervous enough for both of them. She felt like shed eaten two helpings of butterflies for breakfast. They were tickling her insides with their fluttering wings.

Tally stared at the entrance to the school. The building was taller than her old elementary schoolthree stories instead of only one. It cast a long shadow across the drop-off area. But the size of the building wasnt the scariest part. The scariest part was not recognizing a single face in the crowd, other than her sisters.

Maybe Tally could imagine her way out of being scared. That was her dads suggestion. Whenever she felt wobbly or overwhelmed, he told her to try imagining something that would make her smile.

She imagined letting all of the butterflies inside her fly free. She imagined them flocking around the kids and grown-ups outside the school. She imagined everyones mouths falling open as the colorful creatures landed on their heads and shoulders and in the palms of their hands.

She felt a giggle bubble up, delicate as a butterflys wings.

Her mom was watching her from the drivers seat. Ready to go, pumpkin?

Tally nodded, but she still didnt move.

I know youre anxious about not knowing anyone, her mom said gently, but I also know youre going to make new friends so quickly. A few of my new coworkers have kids in your grade.

Tallys family had moved here one week ago. Tally hadnt finished unpacking. She hadnt found her lucky disco ball keychain or her favorite green nail polish. She was entering second grade with her house key on a plain metal ring, clear sparkle polish on her fingernails... and no friends.

The butterflies whooshed back in.

Tally studied her sneakers. They were new, but the same brand and style shed worn last year. Scarlett had used the move as an excuse to try a whole new look. She was launching into fifth grade in skinny jeans and hot pink, sequined high-topsa fancy brand that, thanks to their moms new job, they could finally afford. Tally was wearing new jean shorts and a new green T-shirt, but that was how shed always dressed. Her straight brown hair was in a ponytail, like always. Her brown eyes were framed by round glasses, like always.

What if Scarlett had the right idea? Should Tally have reinvented herself, too?

What would her new classmates be like? Would she fit in?

What if she didnt?

What if this new place turned out to be perfect for everyone in her family... except her?

Come here. Her mom leaned between the front seats and stretched out her arms. Tally fell into the embrace. Her mom was a fantastic hugger. Ive heard through the grapevine that your teacher this year is amazing, her mom said. Mrs. Norrells classroom is supposed to be a really magical place.

That got Tallys attention. Magical how?

Her moms eyes twinkled. Dont you want to get in there and find out?

I guess so.

Do your best, pumpkin. Im proud of you no matter what.

Thanks, Mom. Tally got out of the car and walked to the entrance, where Scarlett was waiting for her. From the curb, their mom honked the horn three times. That was something their dad had come up with, when he and their mom were dating. Honk honk honk before driving away meant I love you.

Honk, honk, honk! Tally and Scarlett called back together.

Then Scarlett turned toward the door. Okay, lets go!

Tally made herself imagine the silly things that could be waiting for her on the other side of that door. Maybe this school would have murals made of jelly beans decorating the walls. Or maybe her teacher would be an ostrich wearing a tutu.

That one worked. Grinning, Tally followed her sister inside.

Tallys mom had said Mrs. Norrells class was supposed to be a magical place, but nothing in here looked particularly magical. The room had desks, chairs, a bulletin board, and posters. There was a guinea pig in a cage by the windows, which was cool, but Tally had had class pets before. In kindergarten, theyd had a fish named Lloyd. In first grade, it was a gerbil named Arabella.