Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer l. Holm
Bibliography
Holm, J. L. (2010). Turtle in paradise. Random House. ISBN: 9780375836886
Plot Summary
This is the story of a young girl named Turtle, who lives with her mother. The story takes place during the great depression. Her mother has a job as a housekeeper and the owner does not like children. So, her mother sends her to Key West to live with her family she has never met. Once Turtle arrives in Key West the reader begins to figure out that Turtle’s mom left Key West before Turtle was born and there were hard feelings between Turtle’s aunt and grandmother. Turtle begins to build relationships with her aunt, cousins, people in town and even her cranky grandmother. Throughout this time Turtle hears about family secrets, treasures, and watches her cousins and friends earn money with their Diaper Gang (Girls were not allowed to join). Turtle and her cousin’s gang even find a treasure that has been hidden. Soon after, Turtle’s mom and new husband come to the Keys to get Turtle. Turtle’s mom begins to make amends with her family. An unexpected turn of events finds Turtle and her mom beginning a new life together in Key West together with each other and their family.
Critical Review
The author Jenifer L. Holm did an amazing job with the novel Turtle in Paradise. The author has the character Turtle refer to many things that were going on during the Great Depression. She did not like Shirley Temple and did not believe in Hollywood happy endings. The reader understood the times were tough. The author also gently explained the difficulties of the family dynamics with Turtle, her mom, aunt, and grandmother. The living conditions of Turtle’s family also painted a picture of how life was on the island of Key West and how people worked to earn a little money. The author also wrote with a sense of humor that explored the relationship between boys and girls. Turtle was never allowed to be part of her cousin's gang, but she was allowed to “work” alongside them. The dialect that was used between the cousins was so amusing. The author even described the way people were dressed to give the reader an image of what it was like to live during this time on a island. The author’s note fills in a few gaps of living on Key West and why they are referred to as a Conch. Ms. Holms based her information from stories from her grandmother who lived on Key West.
Review Excerpts
Horn Book Guide, 10/01/2010
Though her narrative is peppered with references from the time, modern-day readers will have no trouble relating, and the fast-moving plot will keep them interested to the end.
Publishers Weekly Starred, 05/03/2010
This humorous adventure effectively portrays Turtle as caught between her mother’s Hollywood-inspired dreams and the very real family and geography that offer a different kind of paradise.
School Library Journal, 04/01/2010
Readers who enjoy melodic, humorous tales of the past won't want to miss it.
Newbery Award, 01/01/2011
Connections
1.From the Educators guide from Random House This Educator Guide has great discussion questions for teachers to use for whole group or Book Club.
2.Turtle is sent to Key West to live with a family she has never met. She had never lived near a beach before either. Think about all the recent changes Turtle was facing. Write a list of the many changes she was faced with. Choose one change and write about how she handled the change. Did she handle the change correctly or could she have handled the situation differently? Support with text evidence.
3.For more information on the Great Depression visit the following website
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