Turtle in Paradise

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holm, Jennifer. 2010. Turtle in Paradise. New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN 0375836888

PLOT/SUMMARY

It’s the Great Depression, and work is hard to find. When 11 year old Turtle’s mother does find work as a housekeeper, it’s for a woman who doesn’t like children. Turtle is shipped off to Key West, Florida to live with an aunt that doesn’t even know she’s coming. Disappointment and hard times are mixed with adventure, family, and nicknames for all as Turtle, Beans, Buddy and the Diaper Gang make the best of what they’ve got.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Based on the life of her great-grandmother, Jennifer Holm includes many references to people and local culture that are true to those times. Turtle, herself, is a tough character that deals matter of factly with being shipped off from her mother to live with family. Her Aunt and cousins are gruff, hardscrabble people which has as much to do with the era as it does the actual personalities. Throughout the course of their adventures, as we learn more about each of the characters and their motivations, the reader sees the love shine through and the theme that family takes care of family. The setting is well described in its detail, with the author including actual photos from that era in her notes at the back of the book. The reader gets a sense of how hard it is to get by during this time, and sees it reflected on the faces of the people in her photographs. When Turtle’s mom comes for her with Archie, who ultimately bails on them, we see again how even in the toughest time your family is always there for you. The author’s note at the end provides even more history about Key West, actual photos and anecdotes, and closes Turtle’s story out nicely.

REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS

John Newbery Medal, 2011 Honor Book United States

Best Children's Books of the Year, 2011 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars , Apr. 15, 2010 ; American Library Association; United States
Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 2010 ; American Library Association; United States
Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth, 2011 ; American Library Association; United States
Choices, 2011 ; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
Kirkus Best Children's Books, 2010 ; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, April 15, 2010 ; United States
Notable Children's Books, 2011 ; ALSC American Library Association; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, May 3, 2010 ; United States
Smithsonian Notable Book for Children, 2010 ; Smithsonian Magazine; United States

Golden Kite Award, 2011 Winner Fiction

Children’s Literature Starred Review…” Turtle’s shipped off to Key West, Florida, to stay with her aunt whom she’s never met, whereby hangs a tale of a wild, free childhood in a hardscrabble time. Florida too, is a sweet, wild sort of place, to which Holm (Our Only May Amelia, Babymouse, and others) brings her characteristically deft touch and trademark humor.”

Kirkus Starred Review…” It's 1935, and the enterprising boys offer baby care to exhausted mothers in exchange for candy because no one has any money to spare. Glimpses of Southern decay and charm add to the sense of otherness that Turtle finds in the heat, the occasional scorpion, the windfall fruit and the hint of Bahamian and Cuban roots. Her encounters with the cantankerous invalid grandmother she never knew and with Slow Poke, a sponge fisherman whose gray eyes match her own, hint at the importance of this homecoming. Turtle's discovery of the charms of family is as valuable as the pirate treasure the children weather a hurricane to find. Holm's voice for Turtle is winning and authentic—that of a practical, clear-eyed observer—and her nimble way with dialogue creates laugh-out-loud moments.”

Library Media Connection Starred Review…” This book is based on the life of Jennifer Holm’s great grandmother. The characters in the story are realistic, and readers will find themselves and their friends reflected in these pages. Turtle is sent to live with relatives in Key West, Florida, while her mother works in New Jersey. She quickly becomes a member of her aunt’s household. Much of the story is placed in the context of the Great Depression, including references to historical facts and personalities. Although it is unlikely that readers will be able to make those connections, there are notes, resources, and a list of websites to use as references.”

CONNECTIONS

*Have the students write a letter home to Mom at different points of the story. What would Turtle say about what’s going on at that point of the story? What would she have to share?

*Expand on and study any of the cultural references mentioned in the story, including the Great Depression, Little Orphan Annie, or Shirley Temple. This is a great opportunity to include more background information into the unit.

*Read other novels that deal with the Great Depression. These might include…

Leo and the Lesser Lion by Sandra Forrester ISBN 0375856161

The Wonder of Charlie Anne by Kimberly Newton Fusco ISBN 0375861041

The characters in these books and in Turtle in Paradise are feisty, strong characters. Compare and contrast their personalities and their situation in life.

*Have students devise, in small groups, a reader’s theater presentation from one of the scenes in the story. This might be any one of their adventures, from Aunt Minnie getting stung by the scorpion to their riding out a hurricane on the island.