“Most divers will tell you turtles are one of the coolest big critters to see in the ocean. They are infinitely graceful and at ease in the water,” observed author, certified diver and photo-essayist, Eric Douglas.And these cool critters are central to the summer reading series running every Thursday in Young Observer from June 28.“The Sea Turtle Rescue” is set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and features two young girls, Jayne and Marie, who have just moved to Nag’s Head because their dad, Nathan, is the new director of an ocean research centre located there.Not only must they get used to living in a completely different environment and make new friends, but they are challenged to help their parents save a loggerhead turtle ensnared in fishing line and protect her nest of turtle eggs. How they manage to do this unfolds over the nine-chapter story written especially for primary students.Though the story is set nearly 700 miles to our west, Bermudian students will identify with the challenges of protecting our endangered marine life the story explores.“The pressures of human development, trash in the ocean and declining habitats make it important that we protect [sea turtles],” explained Douglas in his Author’s Statement. “Even more significant, sea turtles are a big, cool creature. And if we protect them, we end up making the oceans better for all the animals — and for us at the same time.“In some ways, sea turtles and other large animals become the canaries in the mine,” Douglas continued. “They decline, get sick and die before other animals might, but also while there is still time to correct the damage we have done. Scientists can tell you all the reasons that it is important to protect the ocean and all the ways a healthy ocean supports our lives even if we don’t realise it. But personally, I can’t think of a sadder place than an ocean with no sea turtles.”Each chapter will be accompanied by five questions to promote discussion and there is a teacher’s guide available upon request.