Turtle in Paradise

Holm, Jennifer. Turtle in Paradise. 2010. Random House, 191 pages. $16.99 ISBN: 9780375836886

Plot Summary:

Turtle got her name because she has a hard shell; it takes a lot to rattle Turtle, not even saying goodbye to her mother for the summer. In 1935 during the Depression people are lucky to find a job, so when Turtle's mother gets a job housekeeping for a lady who does not like kids, Turtle is sent to live with the family she's never met in Florida. Turtle's mama insists Turtle will love Key West, but all Turtle sees is a bunch of ramshackle houses and boys running around with no shoes. Turtle expects to spend the summer being an outcast like she usually is treated the children of the family's her mother keeps house for. Turtle begins spending her days with her cousins Beans and Kermit and their friends in the Diaper Gang, who work taking care of neighborhood babies. Grudgingly the boys let Turtle tag along with them, but as the summer goes by and the group shares some exciting adventures they all become friends. Turtle begins to open up as she gets to know her family and discovers family she never knew she had, including the grandmother she thought was dead and the father she's never met. Turtle finds a place that she truly belongs and a family to belong to.

Critical Review:

I knew this was a special book on the second page. Turtle narrates the book in a strong, sensible voice. Holm describes the dilapidated houses and overgrown forests of Key West in vivid detail. Holm’s level of research is evident in the description of local history and customs and gives the novel a rich setting and well developed characters. This is a novel about self discovery and finding a place to belong. Turtle comes to Key West as a stranger to her family, not sure where she fit in with them.

Genre:

Historical Fiction

Interest Level:

4^th to 6^th grade

Similar Books:

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Awards:

2011 Newberry Honor Book

ALA Notable Book 2011

Golden Kite Award 2011

Author’s Website:

http://www.jenniferholm.com/index.html