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abbeysoffel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I haven’t read the novel, but the graphic novel adaptation was pretty interesting. I loved the Diaper Gang and their dedication to helping their community by just taking care of babies for free. The storm scenes were interesting, and added some fun drama. The setting is well portrayed as well. Content warnings for abandonment and economic hardship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Natural disaster, financial hardshipcadence59's review
4.0
Well deserving of the awards, this is a fun adventure set in the Florida Keys during the depression.
anna_dunn's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
erin_hibshman's review
4.0
Audiobook version. A long day of driving was made pleasurable by this historical fiction tale of a young girl who is sent to live with her relatives in 1935 Key West. A lively young girl with spunk and strength, I enjoyed the adventures Turtle and her cousins had.
rebecita's review
2.0
This is one where I am scratching my head at the Newbery and the rave reviews. It was... fine? I guess I like my Depression era stories to have more grit and less hijinx. Minus one star for my personal historical fiction pet peeve, the celebrity cameo. We'll see what the fifth grade book group has to say about it.
lauralynnwalsh's review against another edition
3.0
I would like to give this 3 1/2 stars, because I think it is a bit above just liking it. But I got impatient with listening to the audiobook and, if it hadn't been so short, I would probably have abandoned it. I am not sure why it didn't just grab me. I like that it is rooted in the depression era and includes many elements of that time. Middle grade kids would probably really enjoy it as a read aloud.
noblemachinations's review
2.0
This was an assigned reading for LIS 5564: Information Needs of Children
This is my first foray back into kid's lit after a year long departure from youth services in my library career. I was not particularly impressed with this story - it seemed to try too hard to feel 1930's, relying exclusively on slang and the occasional Shirley Temple reference.
Although it's been years since I read Florida-themed titles such as "The Yearling" and "Strawberry Girl", I feel that this one just doesn't meet the bar for award-winning excellence.
This is my first foray back into kid's lit after a year long departure from youth services in my library career. I was not particularly impressed with this story - it seemed to try too hard to feel 1930's, relying exclusively on slang and the occasional Shirley Temple reference.
Although it's been years since I read Florida-themed titles such as "The Yearling" and "Strawberry Girl", I feel that this one just doesn't meet the bar for award-winning excellence.
whitneyborup's review
3.0
I really hated the Hemingway and Shirley Temple references. What's with all the historical fiction in the Newbery awards? Seems like the Depression is every children's lit author's favorite subject. But I do like hidden treasure.