Holm, J., (2010) Turtle in paradise. New York: Random house Children’s Books. Fiction-realism/historical Turtle lives in the 1930s and during the depression. Author Holm uses some of her own family stories to create this book. Turtle is a daughter to a single mother who is trying to make ends meet, has a bad taste in men, and is trying to keep her job with an employer who happens to not like children. So, Turtle’s mother allows her to go live with relatives in Florida. So, off Turtle goes to stay with family that she has yet to ever meet, and boy is she in for a surprise. This book is filled with humor, drama, adventure, a touch of mystery, and all the while details a time in history. Recommended for grades 4 through 6. This ended up being a good read. It deals with Turtle, a young girl who is placed with her aunt and cousins (all boys) because the woman her mom works with hates children. She thinks her cousins are strange--they all have nicknames.Turtle dreams of Florida being a special place, but it isn't. It's hot and humid. She sees that her cousins that she has never really met are mean and play practical jokes on others. She finally makes the grade with them when they find buried treasure.But when her mom comes back to get her, she finds out what life is all about.I gave it three stars since there really wasn't much excitement in the story.
What do You think about Turtle In Paradise (2010)?
I enjoyed the characters and simplicity of this book. I was also surprised how short it was.
—Kawani
Never read a Depression story about Key West before. Learned something.
—nadia
A delightful treasure. I loved this book and didn't want it to end.
—colton
