Bibliography:
Plot Summary:
In 1935 eleven-year-old Turtle is sent to Key West to live with relatives she’s never met because her mother has found a job as a housekeeper that doesn’t allow children. Turtle must adjust to life with cousins, family, and new acquaintances. Her not so friendly cousins have unusual names; Beans, Pork Chop, and Kermit are all part of the Diaper Gang, who cart around fussy babies in a little wagon for a few hours until they fall asleep. Since no one has any extra money, the boys work for candy!Everyone she meets is feeling the hurt of the Great Depression in one way or another. Turtle finds a treasure map that leads her to find a black treasure box full of gold coins, but they’re quickly stolen from her mother’s boyfriend.
Critical Analysis:
This historical fiction book is educational, relatable and funny appropriate for grades 3 and up.It is written in 1st person, Turtle being the narrator. The book feels somewhat like a diary because it talks about daily adventures and is full of relatable dialogue. Turtle in Paradise is a believable story with events true to its time. The author, Jennifer Holms was inspired by her ancestors, and includes the story of her great-grandmother, who immigrated from the Bahamas to Key West in the late 19th century.
Turtle describes the setting as having miserable heat, scorpions, and local traditions like nicknames and sponging. “The place looks like a broken chair that's been left out in the sun to rot. The houses are small and narrow, lined up close together, and most of them haven't been painted in a long time. There's trash piled everywhere. It's so hot and humid it hurts to breathe.”
The characters talk and act exactly their age like four-year-old Buddy who never wants to wear pants. The details about the Depression and how it affected families show the dramatic tension and emotional moments. Holms writes about severe poverty during the Great Depression, how it affected the people, family ties, and where favors and work are traded for food instead of money. Mentioning Sherly Temple and references to 30’s comics are true to the novels era.
Background information on Key West, photos of Shirley Temple and a reproduction of a Little Orphan Annie comic, add to the accuracy and are written to inform the reader. She also includes resources and websites that she used. In the end of the book she includes pictures of her own family living in Key West during the Depression. Holms also states that the characters were based on real people. Turtle finds happiness where she least expects it and learns that everyone's got dreams.
Review Excerpts:
- School Library Journal, April 2010: "This richly detailed novel was inspired by Holm’s great-grandmother’s stories. Readers who enjoy melodic, humorous tales of the past won’t want to miss it."
- Newbery Honor Book
- ALA-ALSC Children’s Notable Book
- Nominee for a Cybil Award.
Connections:
A fun writing exercise would be to have students pretend to be Turtle writing letters home to tell her mother about what is going on in her life, what she thinks about life in Key West, and what she is looking forward to when they reunite again.Other topics to discuss:
Key West
The Great Depression
Hurricanes
Other Newbery Honor books by Jennifer L. Holm:
Our Only May Amelia ISBN 0062034316
Penny from Heaven ISBN 9780375836879
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