Turtle in Paradise

Holm, J. L. (2010). Turtle in Paradise. Random House. ISBN 9780375836886

“In Jennifer L. Holm's New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor winning middle grade historical fiction novel, life isn't like the movies. But then again, 11-year-old Turtle is no Shirley Temple. She's smart and tough and has seen enough of the world not to expect a Hollywood ending. After all, it's 1935 and jobs and money and sometimes even dreams are scarce. So when Turtle's mama gets a job housekeeping for a lady who doesn't like kids, Turtle says goodbye without a tear and heads off to Key West, Florida to live with relatives she's never met. Florida's like nothing Turtle's ever seen before though. It's hot and strange, full of rag tag boy cousins, family secrets, scams, and even buried pirate treasure! Before she knows what's happened, Turtle finds herself coming out of the shell she's spent her life building, and as she does, her world opens up in the most unexpected ways.”
(Amazon Reviews)

This story, written to reflect Turtle’s adventures in the Florida Keys, chronicles the life of a group of rag-tag Conch children in 1935.

conch
Pronunciation: ‘kӓnk, ‘kӓnch
Function: noun
1: any of various large spiral-shelled marine gastropod mollusks (as of the genus Strombus)
2: often capitalized: a native or resident of the Florida Keys
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate dictionary, 11th edition)

The unique culture of the keys, the great depression, and a fateful Labor Day Hurricane make this a laughter-through-tears tale. The story is inspired by the author's great-grandmother, Jennie Lewin Peck, who emigrated to Key West in the 1800’s. Family photos and other resources are included in the author’s note at the end. Holm brings you into the story through the eyes of an independent and determined child. While the book deals with tragic and dramatic themes, the book is not devastating or traumatic. It is a story of hope and triumph, with a little pirate’s gold mixed in. This story has heart. The characters are full of personality and mischief from the diaper gang to the docks. In the end, the story is about family and perseverance.

Book Review Excerpts:

"Just the right mixture of knowingness and hope . . . a hilarious blend of family drama seasoned with a dollop of adventure." (Booklist, starred review)

“Modern-day readers will have no trouble relating to Turtle, though, and the fast-moving plot will keep them interested to the end.” (Lempke, S. D. (2010). [Turtle in Paradise]. Horn Book Magazine, 86(3), 81–82.)

Connections:

- For students not familiar with the Florida Keys, this is a nice introduction to this culture.

- This story could be told in conjunction with studies about the great depression, and specifically it’s effect on children.

Awards:

Newberry Honor Book, 2011

Golden Kite Award

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5360.