TURTLE IN PARADISE
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Holm, Jennifer. 2010. TURTLE IN PARADISE. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 9780375936883
Holm, Jennifer. 2010. TURTLE IN PARADISE. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 9780375936883
PLOT SUMMARY
Turtle is an eleven year old girl who lived with her mother in New Jersey from home to home as her mother found jobs as a housekeeper during The Great Depression in 1935. Turtle, who was given that nickname because of her tough outer shell, was sent to Key West to live with her aunt (her mother's sister) because her mother's employer didn't like children. While staying in Key West with her aunt and her three boy cousins, Turtle learns alot about the culture and her people, Conchs (what natives of the Florida Keys were called). Her cousins and their friends (who are mostly cousins too) belong to The Diaper Gang and watch babies, while using their secret formula for diaper rash and getting paid with candy. Turtle is not allowed in the gang because girls are not allowed. So, she decides she will help out her aunt by taking lunch to Nana Philly, who she finds out is her grandmother! The kids, Beans, Kermit and Buddy (her cousins) and Pork Chop, a friend, pretty much have the run of the island (everybody on the island had nicknames). When Turtle finds a treasure map, she asks them to go on a hunt to find a pirate's treasure with her. They find the treasure, but get caught in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. When Turtle's mother, Sadiebelle, hears about the fact that the kids are missing, she rushes to Key West to find her. The scare of losing Turtle prompted Archie (who was Sadiebelle's current boyfriend) to marry her. Although, it wasn't just the thought of losing Turtle, but Archie's dream of making it to "Easy Street" and the fact that Turtle had discovered a treasure that might have played into the quick marriage as well. The story ends with Turtle and her mom finding a place where they belong.
Turtle is an eleven year old girl who lived with her mother in New Jersey from home to home as her mother found jobs as a housekeeper during The Great Depression in 1935. Turtle, who was given that nickname because of her tough outer shell, was sent to Key West to live with her aunt (her mother's sister) because her mother's employer didn't like children. While staying in Key West with her aunt and her three boy cousins, Turtle learns alot about the culture and her people, Conchs (what natives of the Florida Keys were called). Her cousins and their friends (who are mostly cousins too) belong to The Diaper Gang and watch babies, while using their secret formula for diaper rash and getting paid with candy. Turtle is not allowed in the gang because girls are not allowed. So, she decides she will help out her aunt by taking lunch to Nana Philly, who she finds out is her grandmother! The kids, Beans, Kermit and Buddy (her cousins) and Pork Chop, a friend, pretty much have the run of the island (everybody on the island had nicknames). When Turtle finds a treasure map, she asks them to go on a hunt to find a pirate's treasure with her. They find the treasure, but get caught in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. When Turtle's mother, Sadiebelle, hears about the fact that the kids are missing, she rushes to Key West to find her. The scare of losing Turtle prompted Archie (who was Sadiebelle's current boyfriend) to marry her. Although, it wasn't just the thought of losing Turtle, but Archie's dream of making it to "Easy Street" and the fact that Turtle had discovered a treasure that might have played into the quick marriage as well. The story ends with Turtle and her mom finding a place where they belong.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Holm created a funny, lovable character in Turtle. She brought alive the emotions of life during the Great Depression and the culture of Key West during the 1930s. She made many pop culture references as well. Turtle doesn't like Shirley Temple (because it never works out for her like it does in the movies), but she enjoys reading comics like Little Orphan Annie and Terry and the Pirates. The book's portrayal of the way of life in Key West was authentic and alive from the food, to the weather, the scorpions, to going sponging, to the fact that nobody wore shoes and even tick-tocking. The reader can feel the effects of The Great Depression by knowing that Turtle had to leave her mother because her mother had to keep a job and Aunt Minnie's husband, Uncle Vernon had to travel days at a time for work wherever he could find it.
Although the Great Depression had a toll on the people of Key West, they were fighters. They were strong people with deep family roots. The theme of family relationships was shown throughout the story as well. Holm's easy-going, entertaining style keeps the reader's interest throughout Turtle's many adventures! Turtle even gives Hemingway advice about writing when he interviews her about the storm! In the end, Turtle finds out that the real treasure is her family and she remembers Archie's words, "Princess, everybody's got a dream."
Holm created a funny, lovable character in Turtle. She brought alive the emotions of life during the Great Depression and the culture of Key West during the 1930s. She made many pop culture references as well. Turtle doesn't like Shirley Temple (because it never works out for her like it does in the movies), but she enjoys reading comics like Little Orphan Annie and Terry and the Pirates. The book's portrayal of the way of life in Key West was authentic and alive from the food, to the weather, the scorpions, to going sponging, to the fact that nobody wore shoes and even tick-tocking. The reader can feel the effects of The Great Depression by knowing that Turtle had to leave her mother because her mother had to keep a job and Aunt Minnie's husband, Uncle Vernon had to travel days at a time for work wherever he could find it.
Although the Great Depression had a toll on the people of Key West, they were fighters. They were strong people with deep family roots. The theme of family relationships was shown throughout the story as well. Holm's easy-going, entertaining style keeps the reader's interest throughout Turtle's many adventures! Turtle even gives Hemingway advice about writing when he interviews her about the storm! In the end, Turtle finds out that the real treasure is her family and she remembers Archie's words, "Princess, everybody's got a dream."
AWARDS
2011 Newbery Honor Book
2010 Cybil Award Nominee
ALA Notable Book
KIRKUS REVIEWS Best Children's Book 2010
2011 Newbery Honor Book
2010 Cybil Award Nominee
ALA Notable Book
KIRKUS REVIEWS Best Children's Book 2010
REVIEW EXCERPTS
BOOKLIST:
"Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure."--Starred Review
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:
"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."
CONNECTIONS
This book is a great introduction to studies on The Great Depression. It also provides great character studies and could be paired with studies on geography and learning about The Florida Keys.
Other books on The Great Depressions include:
ESPERANZA RISING by Pam Munoz Ryan
LEAH'S PONY by Elizabeth Friedrich
Research Links
How the Great Depression Affected Key West
http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/30147949?uid=3739920&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21101450185057
People and Events in 1935
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1935.html
Other books written by Jennifer Holm include PENNY FROM HEAVEN and THE TROUBLE WITH MAY AMELIA
"Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure."--Starred Review
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:
"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."
CONNECTIONS
This book is a great introduction to studies on The Great Depression. It also provides great character studies and could be paired with studies on geography and learning about The Florida Keys.
Other books on The Great Depressions include:
ESPERANZA RISING by Pam Munoz Ryan
LEAH'S PONY by Elizabeth Friedrich
Research Links
How the Great Depression Affected Key West
http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/30147949?uid=3739920&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21101450185057
People and Events in 1935
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1935.html
Other books written by Jennifer Holm include PENNY FROM HEAVEN and THE TROUBLE WITH MAY AMELIA
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