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readingthroughtheages's review
4.0
Reread 8.12.16
Had to get ready for Full of Beans. Looking forward to returning to the Keys and this cast of characters.
This is a great introduction to the historical fiction genre for kids.
This book takes place in Key West in the 1930s. The author does a great job giving the book a Key West flavor. The most confusing part was the nicknames everyone had - it's apparently a Key West tradition, but it was very confusing to remember who was who! There were other Key West traditions that were mentioned - "tick-tocking", island creatures (scorpions!) and island food (alligator pears, a.k.a as avocados!).
It was a good story, and although the main character is a girl, boys will relate to the story because of the boys in the story and it has boating and pirate's treasure as part of the story!
Highly recommended!
Had to get ready for Full of Beans. Looking forward to returning to the Keys and this cast of characters.
This is a great introduction to the historical fiction genre for kids.
This book takes place in Key West in the 1930s. The author does a great job giving the book a Key West flavor. The most confusing part was the nicknames everyone had - it's apparently a Key West tradition, but it was very confusing to remember who was who! There were other Key West traditions that were mentioned - "tick-tocking", island creatures (scorpions!) and island food (alligator pears, a.k.a as avocados!).
It was a good story, and although the main character is a girl, boys will relate to the story because of the boys in the story and it has boating and pirate's treasure as part of the story!
Highly recommended!
greenbeanteenqueen's review
4.0
I'm a bit mixed on if I think this book was Newbery Honor worthy. On one hand I really enjoyed it, the storyline is great, and the author weaves together a lovely plot. On the other, I thought there was a lot that wasn't developed and the book wrapped up too quickly. The end of the book felt much different than the beginning.
The setting of 1930's Key West is a unique one-I didn't know much about Key West during this time, so I learned a bit from this book. But while this is a historical novel, it could almost be set in any time period. Turtle's life might be a bit simpler, and there are lots of references to 30's comics and Shirley Temple, but the characters and adventure and dreaming for something bigger fit no matter what the time period.
Although Turtle is the narrator and the story is told in first person, there were times I forgot she was narrating the story. At times it almost feels like her voice goes into a third person limited narration. This threw me off a bit and I had to remind myself Turtle was telling the story. I also had a problem with how fast the ending wrapped up. For the most part, the book reads almost like a diary, with day to day adventures of Turtle and her cousins in Key West. Then the ending throws in a bunch of twists and instead of giving time to wrap things up with these characters we've gotten to know and care about throughout the book just ends. As an adult, I got the subtlety that is thrown in at the end and could figure out the things left unsaid (and yes, it's a bit predictable) but I wonder how much will go over young readers heads.
It might sound like I didn't enjoy this one, but I really did! It's a fast read that's full of humor and I really enjoyed Turtle's voice. She's a likeable character and she reminded me a bit of India Opal Buloni from Because of Winn-Dixie or Franny Chapman in Countdown. I loved the diaper gang and thought they were hilarious! And the setting of 1930's Key West makes the book stand out and a bit more unique.
It's a great read and I flew through it-it's a very easy read. It would be good for a classroom read aloud and I think it has some kid appeal, especially for readers who like historical fiction. I could even see it being used as a step up from the American Girl series for readers who like Kit. I just would have liked a more fleshed out ending.
Book Pairings: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, Countdown by Deborah Wiles, American Girl Series by Various Authors
Full Disclosure: Reviewed from copy I borrowed from my local public library
The setting of 1930's Key West is a unique one-I didn't know much about Key West during this time, so I learned a bit from this book. But while this is a historical novel, it could almost be set in any time period. Turtle's life might be a bit simpler, and there are lots of references to 30's comics and Shirley Temple, but the characters and adventure and dreaming for something bigger fit no matter what the time period.
Although Turtle is the narrator and the story is told in first person, there were times I forgot she was narrating the story. At times it almost feels like her voice goes into a third person limited narration. This threw me off a bit and I had to remind myself Turtle was telling the story. I also had a problem with how fast the ending wrapped up. For the most part, the book reads almost like a diary, with day to day adventures of Turtle and her cousins in Key West. Then the ending throws in a bunch of twists and instead of giving time to wrap things up with these characters we've gotten to know and care about throughout the book just ends. As an adult, I got the subtlety that is thrown in at the end and could figure out the things left unsaid (and yes, it's a bit predictable) but I wonder how much will go over young readers heads.
It might sound like I didn't enjoy this one, but I really did! It's a fast read that's full of humor and I really enjoyed Turtle's voice. She's a likeable character and she reminded me a bit of India Opal Buloni from Because of Winn-Dixie or Franny Chapman in Countdown. I loved the diaper gang and thought they were hilarious! And the setting of 1930's Key West makes the book stand out and a bit more unique.
It's a great read and I flew through it-it's a very easy read. It would be good for a classroom read aloud and I think it has some kid appeal, especially for readers who like historical fiction. I could even see it being used as a step up from the American Girl series for readers who like Kit. I just would have liked a more fleshed out ending.
Book Pairings: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, Countdown by Deborah Wiles, American Girl Series by Various Authors
Full Disclosure: Reviewed from copy I borrowed from my local public library
speterson47's review
5.0
Having to leave your mother to live with an aunt and cousins you've never met before can't be easy, especially when they live hundreds of miles away. Turtle experiences this as she travels to Key West when her mother's new boss hates children and can't stand for them to live under the same roof. Once she arrives Turtle isn't too sure she wants to live with these newly discover cousins and the diaper gang antics. However, the opportunity to learn more about where her mom grew up is very exciting and it is a whole new culture to learn about. An engaging story that can help the reader travel both in time and place!
thedizzyreader's review
2.0
Just didn't do much for me. Disappointed because I normally love Jennifer Holm.
janislynne78's review
3.0
EBOB book #5
3.5 stars --- Beginning was slow, but it finished strong. I found parts of it to be hokey, but it was interesting to read about Depression-era Key West.
3.5 stars --- Beginning was slow, but it finished strong. I found parts of it to be hokey, but it was interesting to read about Depression-era Key West.
k_lee_reads_it's review
4.0
Reading Turtle in Paradise was like reading the Our Gang tv show. Meant for a middle grade audience this Depression Era book is set in Key West and tells the story of a plucky young girl and her cousins the Diaper Gang.
briarrose1021's review against another edition
5.0
A heartwarming story about life in a slower time. It's 1935 and jobs are tough to find. When Turtle's mom gets a new cleaning job, she's not allowed to have her daughter with her, so she sends Turtle to the Florida Keys, to live with Turtle's aunt. Life in the Keys is a lot different than the life Turtle is used to in New Jersey and she struggles to find her place among all of her male cousins.
But between tagging along with the diaper gang, hanging out with Mrs. Philly, and learning about a hidden treasure, there's a lot to keep Turtle busy until her mom sends for her.
This was a great story to listen to. Narrated by Becca Battoe, it was easy to get lost in the story. The characters are fleshed out pretty well for a middle-grades book, and the names of the various characters are hysterical. At just under 4 hours, this is a book that I'll be listening to again in the future, whenever I need a vacation to a simpler, if not better, time.
howattp's review
4.0
This is what I was looking for in my historical fiction search. Excellent.
I really enjoyed this short, nostalgic tale about life in Key West. It was great.
I really enjoyed this short, nostalgic tale about life in Key West. It was great.
abigailbat's review
3.0
Nicely written, lots of historical detail, well-researched... I'd hand it to fans of books like Bird Lake Moon by Kevin Henkes, The Higher Power of Lucky, etc.
msbucher's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5