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A review by jessicamdawn
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
3.0
Turtle puts up with a lot of crap, let me tell you. I started listening to this on the way to work and quickly decided never to do that again. I work with kids the age of Turtle and her cousin Beans is exactly like every student I've ever disliked having in my classes. I got so irritated every time he acted like a self-entitled, stuck up brat that I could barely think straight. I'm amazed that Turtle never slapped him or screamed at him.
While this book takes place during the Depression, you wouldn't quite guess it from looking at Key West. The author's note at the end states that Key West was having problems as well and that it hoped to use tourism to get itself out of problems. However, except for the fact that Turtle's uncle was away all the time working to earn money, that Aunt Minnie does laundry for people for extra cash, and Turtle's mental reminders to the reader about how people elsewhere in the country have it so bad, I wouldn't have guessed it. No one ever worries about food or mentions a business in danger of shutting due to lack of customers or people being evicted from homes or anything. Heck, at the end of the book Turtle mentions putting money in a bank like it's the obvious thing to do! So I'm not sure how I feel about the book from a historical standpoint.
On the positive side, I liked how Turtle became part of the community and how the adults reacted to her. I loved the cameo by a famous author. I liked the actual historical events (pointed out and explained in the author's note) that made appearances in the text. And every time Turtle won out over Beans and the boys, I gave a quiet cheer.
The book ends in an ambiguous fashion, but it was fine that way. I would explain that better except I don't want to give you any spoilers.
While this book takes place during the Depression, you wouldn't quite guess it from looking at Key West. The author's note at the end states that Key West was having problems as well and that it hoped to use tourism to get itself out of problems. However, except for the fact that Turtle's uncle was away all the time working to earn money, that Aunt Minnie does laundry for people for extra cash, and Turtle's mental reminders to the reader about how people elsewhere in the country have it so bad, I wouldn't have guessed it. No one ever worries about food or mentions a business in danger of shutting due to lack of customers or people being evicted from homes or anything. Heck, at the end of the book Turtle mentions putting money in a bank like it's the obvious thing to do! So I'm not sure how I feel about the book from a historical standpoint.
On the positive side, I liked how Turtle became part of the community and how the adults reacted to her. I loved the cameo by a famous author. I liked the actual historical events (pointed out and explained in the author's note) that made appearances in the text. And every time Turtle won out over Beans and the boys, I gave a quiet cheer.
The book ends in an ambiguous fashion, but it was fine that way. I would explain that better except I don't want to give you any spoilers.