Turtle in Paradise

Bibliographic Data: 

 

Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. Turtle in Paradise. New York: Random House.

ISBN 9780375836909

Plot Summary:

During the great depression, jobs are hard to come by. Eleven year old Turtle is sent to Key West, Florida by her mother who has recently taken a housekeeping position where children are not welcome. Turtle’s aunt and young cousins reluctantly take Turtle in and she quickly learns that life in Key West during the Great Depression is even tougher than back home in New Jersey. No one seems to be fond of shoes, young boys take care of babies in exchange for candy, and comic strips and radio shows are a welcome escape from reality. Turtle and her younger cousins end up stranded in a hurricane after a successful search for buried treasure. Turtle is found and reunited with her mother and they both decide to stay in Key West with the rest of the family.

Critical Analysis:

Turtle in Paradise presents a unique setting for life during the great depression. Key West was indeed a place of economic chaos during the Great Depression and the novel includes numerous examples of the hardships that Americans faced during the 1930’s. The historical facts along with humorous and witty dialogue are all woven effectively into the story providing the reader with a lively plot that is easy to follow, as opposed to being weighed down by historical trivia. Including popular figures of the time like Shirley Temple and Key West’s own Ernest Hemingway, author Jennifer L. Holm not only offers the reader subtle factual authenticity, but also a more diverse cast of characters. Holm also creates a genuine heroine through Turtle. Turtle’s personality can be easily identified with and her dedication to her family is refreshing. The importance of family is emphasized and is an evident theme throughout the novel.  

Awards:

John Newbery Medal Honor Book, 2011

 

Review Excerpt(s):

Kirkus, Starred Review, April 2010:

“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. Sweet, funny and superb.”

 

Booklist, Starred Review, April 2010:

“Holm uses family stories as the basis for this tale, part romp, part steely-eyed look at the Depression era.”

 

Connections:

*Discuss some of the foreshadowing that hinted at Archie leaving in the end. What did he say specifically about sales that make the reader think he might be a little untrustworthy?

*Some good discussion questions compiled by ATPE:

http://www.atpe.org/resources/educators/bookclubfiles/11DecGrades3-6_Questions.pdf

*More historical fiction about the great depression:

Vanderpool, Clare. Moon Over Manifest. ISBN 9780375858291

Hesse, Karen. Out of the Dust. ISBN 9780590371254

Lasky, Kathryn. Christmas After All: The Great Depression Diary of Minnie Swift. ISBN 9780439219433