Turtle in Paradise

Turtle in Paradise
by Jennifer L. Holm

2011 Newbery Honor Book
2011-2012 Texas Bluebonnet Book

Tween

 

Turtle is an 11 year old girl growing up during the depression.  Turtle and her single mom often struggle to get by.  Turtle is sent to live with family when her mother's live-in housekeeping job does not allow children.  Turtle arrives in Key West and is immediately surrounded by family members she has never met before and lots of adventure.  Archie, one of Turtle's mother's boyfriends tells Turtle that everyone has a dream.  Turtle thinks all of her dreams have finally come true, and maybe they have, just not at all like she had planned.

This is such an enjoyable book.  It is no wonder that it is a 2011 Newbery Honor book.  Jennifer Holm did a marvelous job of developing these unique characters.  Despite their quirky nicknames, they were such a likable group.  The plot was fast moving and unpredictable with plenty of twists and turns along the way.  In my opinion, the prevalent theme was one of the strongest points of the book.  "Don't take what you have for granted, it may be exactly what you have been searching for all along."  Historical details are well woven into the book, it was educational without feeling forced at all.  The author's notes at the end of the book are quite informative as well.