Turtle in Paradise - Jennifer Holms

I love anything Jennifer Holms writes. Turtle in Paradise, Jennifer's Newbery honor winner this year, didn't disappoint. The book is one of my favorite genres, middle grade historical fiction, and it's easy to see why it picked up a Newbery honor.

Synopsis:

In 1935, twelve year old Turtle is forced to leave her flaky single mom and move into her aunt's home in Key West, Florida. In her heart, she hopes that someday her mom's new boyfriend Archie will become her stepdad and they'll be a real family.

Turtle has never met her Florida relatives. When she shows up uninvited on their doorstep, she discovers  a house full of boys and an aunt who is not at all keen on raising another kid.

But Turtle is helpful in every way, including hanging out with her cousins, who have turned babysitting into a business called the Diaper Gang. When Turtle discovers an old treasure map, the Diaper Gang makes plans to dig up the find.  But nature, in the form of a hurricane, has other plans...

Jennifer Holms weaves a tale rich in the history and texture of old Key West during the Great Depression. I felt the desperate poverty of Turtle's situation but also experienced the sites and smells of tropical Florida. My heart ached for Turtle when her dream turned into grim reality but cheered as I watched her family catch her fall. This novel is a must read!

Comments

[supra for kids]

So cute! I already like you on FB and also get your posts on Google Reader. :)

[Lois V. Harris]

I agree! I love all of Jennifer's historical fiction books, beautiful writing in a clear simple style. But I was drawn to this one because I've always wanted to go to Key West (Hemingway, Jimmy Buffet, the tropics, etc.). Key West has now moved up to the top of my places-to-visit list!