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literatehedgehog's review
3.0
A solid middle grade historical fiction from a tried and true talented author.
This novel has the background of widespread hunger and poverty of the Great Depression without diving deeply into the economics, politics, or especially the grittiness of that time. Instead, it explores age-old middle grade themes of family, friendship, and trust, in an episodic style.
This could be a good student book club choice for 5-6th or a read aloud for 4th and up.
read alikes
I can only think of a few books for young readers set during the Great Depression - Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago, and the earlier (1910s?) Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson.
There is a distinctly Floridian weirdness feel here, so perhaps Carl Hiaasen fans may switch time periods and genres for this.
This novel has the background of widespread hunger and poverty of the Great Depression without diving deeply into the economics, politics, or especially the grittiness of that time. Instead, it explores age-old middle grade themes of family, friendship, and trust, in an episodic style.
This could be a good student book club choice for 5-6th or a read aloud for 4th and up.
read alikes
I can only think of a few books for young readers set during the Great Depression - Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago, and the earlier (1910s?) Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson.
There is a distinctly Floridian weirdness feel here, so perhaps Carl Hiaasen fans may switch time periods and genres for this.
swinchester234's review
4.0
Turtle in Paradise is a book written by Jennifer Holm. This book revolves around an 11 year old girl named Turtle. Turtle’s mom is forced to send her to her aunt’s house in the Key West because of receiving a job as a housekeeper. Once there, Turtle meets her three cousins and the Diaper Gang; a group of boys that babysit babies for candy during the Great Depression. Turtle finds a treasure map in her grandmother’s piano and the children go on an adventure to find the treasure. In the process, they steal a boat, forget to anchor said boat, and then get trapped on a small island during a storm. They are rescued by a man named Slow Poke and they come back to find Turtle’s mom and new husband waiting for them. Her mom’s new husband ends up stealing the treasure they find and flees to Cuba. Turtle and her mom end up staying in the Key West with their extended family.
This is a heartwarming story about a young girl’s experience during the Great Depression. This book brings laughter, sadness, and a bit of loss. As a future educator, I do not believe I would use this for any lesson. However, I do believe that I would have it available in my classroom library.
This is a heartwarming story about a young girl’s experience during the Great Depression. This book brings laughter, sadness, and a bit of loss. As a future educator, I do not believe I would use this for any lesson. However, I do believe that I would have it available in my classroom library.
readertz's review
3.0
This was such a nice story. It's a short and an easy read. If you are looking for a good historical fiction book, this just may be it!
sandraagee's review
3.0
A sweet story, even if it is a hair predictable. While not something that's likely t stick with me forever, it was well-written and enjoyable. A lovely summer read by an author that tends to please.
star63's review
4.0
I'm a huge fan of Jennifer Holm's novels. I love the historical perspective and the way in which she skillfully takes her family history and makes it our history too.
I loved Turtle from the first time I met her. Turtle is resilient and adapts to some very challenging circumstances but manages to find the good in others while having her eyes opened to the fact that there are bad people in this world (some of them the people you most need to be good).
I loved Turtle from the first time I met her. Turtle is resilient and adapts to some very challenging circumstances but manages to find the good in others while having her eyes opened to the fact that there are bad people in this world (some of them the people you most need to be good).
the_knitting_librarian's review
4.0
Charming characters and superb writing amplify this tale of the summer of 1935 in Key West, FL
sc104906's review
3.0
Set during the Great Depression, Turtle is an eleven-year-old girl who has been sent to live with her aunt and her crew of boy cousins. While the boys try to keep Turtle out of their Diaper Gang, she worms her way into the hearts of family members she has just met (even several she hasn’t met before). The group of cousins goes on an adventure to find a pirate’s treasure, where their relationship is forever cemented.
This novel provides a new perspective on a historical tale. This book provides a detailed account of a young girl’s life in the Florida Keys, richly expressing her unique experiences in this part of the country during the Great Depression. The author also provides a detailed historical note with additional resources at the end of the novel.
This novel provides a new perspective on a historical tale. This book provides a detailed account of a young girl’s life in the Florida Keys, richly expressing her unique experiences in this part of the country during the Great Depression. The author also provides a detailed historical note with additional resources at the end of the novel.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
Inspired by her Conch great-grandmother, who emigrated to Key West in the late 1800s, Holm's Newbery Honor book takes place during the Great Depression as seen through the eyes of a very keen-minded and sharp Turtle whose mother is forced to send her only daughter to live with her sister and nephews whilst she works.
Upon a rather surprising and unwelcome arrival, Turtle encounters the Diaper Gang which consists of her male cousins who try and keep their stomachs happy by looking after the town's babies in return for food. The arrival of Turtle and her cat is not a welcome one - and not just because she's a girl but because it's another mouth to feed.
The setting itself is one of hardship and little money - but Holm keeps it at bay enough that the reading isn't too, well, 'depressing'. Instead, she focuses - mainly through dialogue - on the friendship between the Diaper Gang and Turtle's gradual unravelling of her mother's past.
Although reviews here speak of Turtle's voice and wit being out of turn within a historical framework, I have to say that it was her voice that I loved the most. She's as sharp as a pin and sees the truth for what it is better than most adults. Her relationship with Nana Philly is just lovely.
A sweet, funny story. I imagine in a small reading group in class, it'd be lovely for separate readers to 'do the voices' for different characters.
Upon a rather surprising and unwelcome arrival, Turtle encounters the Diaper Gang which consists of her male cousins who try and keep their stomachs happy by looking after the town's babies in return for food. The arrival of Turtle and her cat is not a welcome one - and not just because she's a girl but because it's another mouth to feed.
The setting itself is one of hardship and little money - but Holm keeps it at bay enough that the reading isn't too, well, 'depressing'. Instead, she focuses - mainly through dialogue - on the friendship between the Diaper Gang and Turtle's gradual unravelling of her mother's past.
Although reviews here speak of Turtle's voice and wit being out of turn within a historical framework, I have to say that it was her voice that I loved the most. She's as sharp as a pin and sees the truth for what it is better than most adults. Her relationship with Nana Philly is just lovely.
A sweet, funny story. I imagine in a small reading group in class, it'd be lovely for separate readers to 'do the voices' for different characters.
kellioneill's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
emily_charlotte's review
4.0
I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh outloud as much as this one did! This is my second time reading this, but Turtle's voice was strong and sassy all the way through, and the Diaper Gang had me cracking up left and right.