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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.
jeannemurray3gmailcom's review against another edition
4.0
I greatly enjoyed this book. It was funny, taught me a few things about the depression, and had some excitement,too. I believe that it would be a good book to recommend to a 4th or 5th grader. It did have some talk of animal cruelty that would upset some people. A mature reader would know that it was talk from the times and not really meant. A younger reader might not realize this.
averywashere's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.75
tami_provencher's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed Turtle in Paradise! It was entirely due to the title character. From the moment we meet her, riding shotgun next to Lyle Edgit on the way to Key West, Florida, Turtle engages the reader. We remain under her charming spell throughout the story.
Whether she is disillusioned by the reality of Key West (as opposed to her mother's description of it), meeting the overwrought aunt who had no idea she was coming, trading insults with an obnoxious new cousin, feeding the grandmother she thought was dead or offering to earn money by making illegal bootleg runs for 'Johnny Cakes' (she doesn't) Turtle is unflaggingly funny, frank and endearing.
Turtle is sent to Key West because her mother has been hired as a live-in maid for a woman who cannot tolerate children. Turtle has never been separated from her mother. She arrives in a small community very different from the one she has known and has to deal with this completely new setting and the separation from her mother. It doesn't take long, however, for even the toughest, most suspicious of characters to warm to Turtle.
Turtle's name comes from her "ability" not to cry: the impenetrable nature of her "shell." The reader's admittance into the rare moments when Turtle does lower her guard have the power to touch our hearts with her young and vulnerable one. Throw in a hunt for real buried pirate treasure and a potentially fatal scorpion sting, a devastating blow in the final chapters, then top it all off with a not-your-typical-happily-ever-after and you have Turtle in Paradise.
This book is well worth your time in plot, character and sheer enjoyment. It could easily be a read-aloud or independent read selection. For young readers who may shy away from it at first, mentioning to them that the author, Jennifer L. Holm is also well-known for her graphic novel series Baby Mouse may provide them with the motivation to read this book as well!
Whether she is disillusioned by the reality of Key West (as opposed to her mother's description of it), meeting the overwrought aunt who had no idea she was coming, trading insults with an obnoxious new cousin, feeding the grandmother she thought was dead or offering to earn money by making illegal bootleg runs for 'Johnny Cakes' (she doesn't) Turtle is unflaggingly funny, frank and endearing.
Turtle is sent to Key West because her mother has been hired as a live-in maid for a woman who cannot tolerate children. Turtle has never been separated from her mother. She arrives in a small community very different from the one she has known and has to deal with this completely new setting and the separation from her mother. It doesn't take long, however, for even the toughest, most suspicious of characters to warm to Turtle.
Turtle's name comes from her "ability" not to cry: the impenetrable nature of her "shell." The reader's admittance into the rare moments when Turtle does lower her guard have the power to touch our hearts with her young and vulnerable one. Throw in a hunt for real buried pirate treasure and a potentially fatal scorpion sting, a devastating blow in the final chapters, then top it all off with a not-your-typical-happily-ever-after and you have Turtle in Paradise.
This book is well worth your time in plot, character and sheer enjoyment. It could easily be a read-aloud or independent read selection. For young readers who may shy away from it at first, mentioning to them that the author, Jennifer L. Holm is also well-known for her graphic novel series Baby Mouse may provide them with the motivation to read this book as well!
numbat's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pkadams's review
3.0
I'm a big fan of Jennifer Holm's 20th century historical fiction as they are loaded with atmosphere. Paradise in this case is Key West of the 1930s. You often feel that you are walking down the street with Turtle and her relatives (everyone is related) during the Great Depression. With her mom forced to take a job as a housekeeper with a woman who doesn't like kids, Turtle is shipped off to her aunt's for safekeeping.
The character doesn't do a tremendous amount of growing during the novel, but the atmosphere is so rich that you have a real sense of what it was like growing up in pre-war FL (no AC for starters). With a couple of cameos by Hemingway, it is a fun and light read.
The character doesn't do a tremendous amount of growing during the novel, but the atmosphere is so rich that you have a real sense of what it was like growing up in pre-war FL (no AC for starters). With a couple of cameos by Hemingway, it is a fun and light read.
sarah_boo_hoo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.0
lisadolak's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I read it because it is on the Elementary Battle of the Books list. That, however, is what I do not like about it.
A young girl, Turtle, needs to go to Key West to stay with family she has never met while her mother works as a housekeeper. This is set a few years after The Great Depression while things are still in the recovery phase. She is a bit of an old soul and the story is told from her perspective. She dreams of the day she and her mother will be able to buy their own house. Of course, while in Key West, she and her cousins get into some interesting situations. There is a Diaper Gang, Pirate Treasure, scorpions, food she has never seen before, and the wonderful people of Duval Street (even Key West's most famous writer makes an appearance). I'd like to say that Turtle learns a lot about life as the story progresses, but she is already so street smart, I don't really think that happens.
This book has way too much that 4th and 5th graders just won't get. I know at least 3 of my students have read it and they loved it. However, I know they missed a lot of the deeper issues. That is not the author's or book's fault. I don't think this book is really intended for 9 and 10 year olds. It is much more well-suited for Young Adult readers. I just don't believe it belongs on this list.
So, if you are looking for a sweet story with interesting characters, a bit of humor, suspense, a bit of local (Key West) history and drama. This is a good choice. Younger readers will probably not 'get' everything from the book, but I know for a fact they will enjoy it!
I recommend this to CY because I know how much she enjoys Key West.
A young girl, Turtle, needs to go to Key West to stay with family she has never met while her mother works as a housekeeper. This is set a few years after The Great Depression while things are still in the recovery phase. She is a bit of an old soul and the story is told from her perspective. She dreams of the day she and her mother will be able to buy their own house. Of course, while in Key West, she and her cousins get into some interesting situations. There is a Diaper Gang, Pirate Treasure, scorpions, food she has never seen before, and the wonderful people of Duval Street (even Key West's most famous writer makes an appearance). I'd like to say that Turtle learns a lot about life as the story progresses, but she is already so street smart, I don't really think that happens.
This book has way too much that 4th and 5th graders just won't get. I know at least 3 of my students have read it and they loved it. However, I know they missed a lot of the deeper issues. That is not the author's or book's fault. I don't think this book is really intended for 9 and 10 year olds. It is much more well-suited for Young Adult readers. I just don't believe it belongs on this list.
So, if you are looking for a sweet story with interesting characters, a bit of humor, suspense, a bit of local (Key West) history and drama. This is a good choice. Younger readers will probably not 'get' everything from the book, but I know for a fact they will enjoy it!
I recommend this to CY because I know how much she enjoys Key West.
luzbella's review
4.0
Turtle in paradise is a great book. it reminded me of a book called the mighty miss Malone. I liked that there was so much adventure and suspense in some parts and just every day life in other parts. it took place during the depression.this is a book that will suck you in.