Acknowledgments My heartfelt thanks to Whitney Byington who proved to be an intelligent and diligent young reader To Robyn Usdan who has supported and encouraged me from the inception of this series A very special thanks to my SCBWI critique group the Night Writers whose insights were invaluable Ruth Beaumont Cook I appreciate your professional professional and thorough proofing of the manuscript Thank you to my publisher Deborah Shine for her wise assis tance in bringing this book to publication My sincere thanks to Ken Marion professor emeritus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham UAB for vetting the manuscript for scientific accuracy I am grateful grateful to Professor Thane Wibbels Department of Biology at UAB for patiently sharing your expert knowledge of diamondback terrapins Professors Marion and Wibbels generously allowed me to experience firsthand their research research and conservation of the diamondback terrapin in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Thank you too for enabling me to visit the terrapin head-start hatchery at UAB Without your generous support this book would not have become a reality vii
Cast of Characters THE SIZZLING SIX Clara Chen Clara’s friends can count on her for practical common-sense advice But Clara can be obstinate once she makes up her mind it’s hard to get her to budge Sarah Datdan She has a vivid imagination which sometimes sometimes goes wild When there’s a faraway look in Sarah’s eyes her friends know that she’s lost in her own world Alex Kohn Curious and eager to learn new things Alex is a keen photographer and is a budding scientist passionate passionate about saving the natural world Her father is a lawyer who helps her and her friends with practical advice Rose Perez A daredevil and drama queen Rose is outgoing outgoing a confident go-getter and easily makes friends Sophie Price Sophie’s friends appreciate her keen sense of fair play They accept that she sometimes likes to be alone and that her moods change like clouds passing over the sun Grace Willis Grace has bright red hair and an unusual sense of humor She often tells bad jokes in the hope of calming people down When things go wrong she likes to quote Anne of Green Gables You’d find it easier to be bad than good if you had red hair viii OPERATION TERRAPIN RESCUE
CAST OF CHARACTERS CLASSMATES José Sanchez José has thick dark hair and wears wire framed glasses He loves exploring outdoors alone or with his friend Luke José’s father is a scientist who serves as his role model Luke Truman Luke is outgoing but also kind of a science and technology nerd Like his friend José he is adventurous adventurous There’s a thin zigzag scar on Luke’s chin that is more visible when he grins OTHERS Mo Johnson Mo is the friendly owner of Mo’s Bait and Tackle Shop and Mo’s Ark an old skiff He is an old timer whose family has lived in the delta for generations Dr Amy Price Amy is Sophie’s mother Dedicated to protecting protecting the natural world she also inspires others to see how cool science can be Dr Luis Sanchez Luis is José’s father and is dedicated to taking care of marine wildlife Mr Jeff Strawberry An intrepid news reporter and staunch supporter of the Sizzling Six Dr Ben Willis As Grace’s grandfather he enjoys asking quirky questions and teasing his granddaughter and her friends He is a dedicated research scientist June Willis Grams Grams is Grace’s grandmother and is in charge She is passionate about preserving nature ix
