Review: Turtle in Paradise

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Holm, Jennifer. 2010. TURTLE IN PARADISE. New York: Random House. ISBN 0375836888

PLOT SUMMARY
It is 1935, and with the Great Depression in full swing, times are tough. It is here that we meet Turtle, a tough-as-nails eleven-year-old girl, who can’t stand other kids. When her mother’s new employer shares these sentiments and forces her to choose between her daughter and her job, Turtle is sent to Key West to stay with her Aunt Minerva and, much to her chagrin, her male cousins. Turtle’s new life turns out to be far more exciting than she expected, though, and soon, she is hunting smuggler’s treasure, dealing with the nefarious Diaper Gang (her cousins’ all-boys babysitting society), and trying to solve the mystery of a lifetime.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
As with many Depression-era stories, this one deals with the concept of escapism; from an old life, from the mundane, and from the Great Depression itself. What differentiates Holm’s work from others of its type, however, is character. Turtle herself is immensely likeable, if a little rough around the edges, and she almost immediately becomes an engaging protagonist for this type of fish out of water tale. Holm’s writing manages to straddle the fine line between authenticity and readability, which is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Turtle, although clearly a product of the 1930s, is relatable to readers of all ages, achieving a fine balance between sarcasm and sincerity. Tertiary details, particularly the prevalence of Shirley Temple, are a welcome addition to the story, adding greatly to the book’s strong sense of immersion. Holm manages to make the Great Depression seem real; not as a period of complete sadness, but as something that people persevere through together, finding good times where they can and coming together when they have to. In doing so, she has crafted one of the most sincere, believable, and most of all, human accounts of Depression-era life available in the historical fiction genre.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST starred review: “the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Readers who enjoy melodic, humorous tales of the past won't want to miss it.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Infused with period pop culture references, a strong sense of place, and the unique traditions and culture of Key West natives…”

CONNECTIONS:
* This book would make an excellent lead-in to a unit on the Great Depression, as it humanizes the people of the time and demands further exploration as a class.
*Other books dealing with life in the Great Depression:
Lied, Kate. POTATO: A TALE FROM THE GREAT DEPRESSION. ISBN 0792269462
Moss, Marissa. ROSE’S JOURNAL: THE STORY OF A GIRL IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION. ISBN 0152046054
Sorenson, Margo. NOTHING IS FOR FREE. ISBN 0789102307