Turtle in Paradise

Turtle in Paradise

By Jennifer L. Holm

53 ratings 59 reviews 91 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 2 - 8V3.730474
In Jennifer L. Holm's New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor winning middle grade historical fiction novel, life isn't like the movies. But then again, 11-year-old Turtle is no Shirley Temple

She's smart and tough and has seen enough of the world not to expect a Hollywood ending. After all, it's 1935 and jobs and money and sometimes even dreams are scarce. So when Turtle's mama gets a job housekeeping for a lady who doesn't like kids, Turtle says goodbye without a tear and heads off to Key West, Florida to live with relatives she's never met. Florida's like nothing Turtle's ever seen before though. It's hot and strange, full of rag tag boy cousins, family secrets, scams, and even buried pirate treasure! Before she knows what's happened, Turtle finds herself coming out of the shell she's spent her life building, and as she does, her world opens up in the most unexpected ways. Filled with adventure, humor and heart, Turtle in Paradise is an instant classic both boys and girls with love.

Includes an Author's Note with photographs and further background on the Great Depression, as well as additional resources and websites.

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews:
"Sweet, funny and superb."

Starred Review, Booklist:
"Just the right mixture of knowingness and hope . . . a hilarious blend of family drama seasoned with a dollop of adventure."
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780375836886
ISBN-10: 0375836888
Published on 5/11/2010
Binding: Hardcover
Number of pages: 208

Book Reviews (58)

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Great book about the florida keys.

GREAT BOOK!!!!! There should be a movie.

I really want to read this book!

Turtle in Paradise is the best book I have ever read. I am only half way through. I hope it has a good ending.

my class is reading this book and it is a good book so far in the end i think i will love the book. the nicknames in the book are halarious such as Porkchop,Beans and others but it is hard to remember all of them...

This book brings me back 5 years ago when I was sick. I had fallen so ill that I could not breathe. Then my mother played Turtle in Paradise for me and I felt so much better the next day.

This book is so good! I think Shirly Temple is awesome though, and Turtle definetly dosen't think that. :(

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