"TURTLE IN PARADISE" ON MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY
Turtle in Paradise,
by Jennifer L. Holm, is a middle grade novel and another Newbery Honor book. It’s
an historical fiction story set in Key
West in 1935. Eleven year old Turtle, the main
character, is being been raised by her single mother. Her mother takes whatever
job she can—usually cleaning jobs in boarding houses, so they have a place to
live. Sadly, the latest boss/landlady doesn’t like kids.
Poor Turtle gets shipped back to Key West, to Mama’s family, relatives she’s
never met. Turtle, figuratively living in a shell, has to learn to fit in with
the local culture and with her new found family. She learns about some family
secrets. She’s a tough kid and is soon accepted by the local boys’ gang—and her
cousins. That’s just the main plot. We also have some back stories and sub
plots that shape the story and affect the ending, which wasn’t exactly what I
was expecting.
There’s a local story of buried pirate treasure that provides
the kids with a real adventure. The gang follows clues to the pirate treasure,
nearly getting themselves blown away in a hurricane. The ending will first lead
you down the “happily ever after” path and then dump on your hopefulness. We’re
all cheering for the down and out who are about to be well-off, until a trusted
friend betrays that trust.
Again the Newbery Award Committee has gotten it right. Ms.
Holm’s novel is tough, like the times, like Turtle, but it is sensitive and
moving. It’s about family values and relationships rediscovered, and mistakes
forgiven. It’s about love, hope, and the tough realities of life. This book is
highly recommended for a look back at life in the 1930’s, and family relationships,
with an adventure thrown in.
Other novels by Jennifer Holm, Our Only May Amelia, Penny
From Heaven, Middle School Is Worse
Than Meatloaf. She collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on the popular Babymouse series. More information on Ms. Holm is at http://www.jenniferholm.com
************
Tags:
Jennifer L. Holm, Turtle, Paradise,
Diaper Gang, family, cousins, mother, grandmother
Sounds like a wonderful and moving book for kids Penny. Thanks for the great review.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, thanks for your comments. Yes, it was a good read--gritty at times, but moving and sensitive about family relationships. I try to read all the Newbery honor/award books that I can to see pass on info. to my students and to see how the award winners do it.
Delete