Holm, Jennifer L. Turtle in Paradise. New
York: Random House, 2010. ISBN 978-0-375-83688-6.
Plot Summary
Set in 1935, the Great Depression is in full effect and jobs are very scarce. Eleven-year-old Turtle is sent to stay with relatives in Key West, Florida when her mother lands a housekeeping job for a woman who doesn't like children.
Critical Analysis
Life was challenging, to say the least, during the Great Depression. In 1935, the unemployment rate was 20.1%. Families were forced to relocate and sometimes live apart in order to find work and survive the economic hardships. Holm paints the picture of these tough economic times as Turtle's mother, Sadiebelle, sends her off to live with relatives she has never met. It was understood that this separation was necessary in order to maintain employment. Such was life in this era. The author's notes in the back of the book give the historical facts of the time. She notes that in 1934, the town of Key West officially declared bankruptcy. The majority of the town's population was on public relief just as was mentioned in Turtle in Paradise. Key West was beginning to get back on its feet when the Labor Day Hurricane struck on September 2, 1935.
As far as the stories of pirates and hidden treasure, Holm's draws on the personal accounts of Jeane Porter in Key West: Conch Smiles and Charlotte Niedhauk in Charlotte's Story. Historical photographs taken during this time period are an added benefit to correlate the scenes of Turtle in Paradise with what life on Key West actually looked like in the 1930's. Additionally, Holm's has a present day view of life on Key West with many landmarks of the 1930's still present. See the connection activities for a link to these colorful photographs. Holm gives an accurate description of the town, as shown by the photographs from the 1930's and present day. Holm also lists resources, websites, and the personal account of her grandmother as sources which she used to authenticate the historical facts presented in Turtle in Paradise.
Economic times are tough during the Great Depression regardless of what part of the country one would venture. There is mention of the Dust Bowl to which Mr. Edgit has the remedy. "He says folks in the Dust Bowl wouldn't be having so much trouble if they'd just move near some water." Every place has its own set of problems. The setting of the story takes place in Key West, Florida from June through September 1935. There is plenty of water in Florida, however, it is also the place of a very destructive and deadly hurricane in 1935 which was known as the Labor Day Hurricane.
The characters, mostly boys, are believable in their thoughts, speech, and actions. The Diaper Gang was a bit on the odd side, however, desperate economic times call for desperate employment measures. The boy's secret diaper rash remedy was actually passed down from Holm's family, which would give more credence to this part of the story. Talk of Little Orphan Annie, Shirley Temple, the Shadow, Terry and the Pirates, and Flash Gordon would all be of interest to children during this time period. As far as their dress, the character's wardrobe depicts a typical poor islander. Turtle comments at one point that she has yet to see a boy wearing shoes. By the end of the story, she is running around the island shoeless as well. The boys nocturnal mischievousness of "tick-tocking" was actually done by boys on Key West in the 1930's. According to Holm, many of the actions of her characters in
Turtle in Paradise were inspired by the actions of real people in the history of Key West. Even the writer, who was later identified as Hemingway, was based on
the Ernest Hemingway who lived in Key West at the time of the horrific hurricane described in the book.
"This is the bee's knees, fellas!" What a classic expression, that is non-existent for the children of today, but most appropriate for the 1930's. Holm's young characters use the respectful dialogue which was observed during this era. When reprimanded, the boys would reply with a dutiful "yes, ma'am."
The underlying storyline in
Turtle in Paradise is for Turtle to achieve her dream of finding treasure. In the beginning, the dream of she and her mother owning their own home, the Bellewood, Model #3304, is what drives her. Later, when she finds what might be a treasure map, the thought of finding pirate's gold is all she desires. Finally, with the thought of a family and a town to call her home, Turtle discovers that this is the true treasure she has been seeking.
It is this thought of the love of family which transcends the decades of time. Children today can recognize the value of family. As seen in
Turtle in Paradise and in the present day, although economic times are tough, and trusted people can turn out to be not so trustworthy, people can always rely on their family to come together and help each other over the rough patches in life.
Turtle in Paradise, a book historically based on the past which is also a reflection of our world today.
Awards and Honors
Newbery Honor Book, 2011
An ALA Notable Book
Booklist Editor's Choice
Chicago Library Best of the Best
Texas Bluebonnet List
A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2010
Spring 2010 Junior Library Guild Selection
New York Times Best Seller
Review Excerpts
"Infused with period pop culture references, a strong sense of place, and the unique traditions and culture of Key West natives (aka "Conchs"), this humorous adventure effectively portrays Turtle as caught between her mother's Hollywood-inspired dreams and the very real family and geography that offer a different kind of paradise." Publisher's Weekly
"Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure." Booklist, Starred Review
"Sweet, funny and superb." Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
Other Books by Jennifer L. Holm
Penny from Heaven
Our Only May Amelia
The Boston Jane Trilogy
Book Connections
Children of the Great Depression by Russell Freedman
Blown Away by Joan Hiatt Harlow
Hurricanes [electronic resource] by Gary Jeffrey
Years of Dust: The Story of the Dust Bowl by Albert Marrin
Connection Activities
-
Take Turtle's "walking tour" of Key West (http://www.helpreaderslovereading.com/2011/03/turtle-in-paradise-by-jennifer-l-holm.html). Compare this to what takes place during and after a hurricane (e.g. watch The Most Dangerous Hurricanes pt. 1 and 2 [dvd] (ISBN 9781593757489). Discuss what causes a hurricane and what one should do if facing a storm of this magnitude.
- Listen to a sound recording of The Twelve Biggest News Stories of 1935 [sound recording]. This presentation is narrated by Seymour Birkson of the Universal News Service (ISBN 2001659510986). Discuss the effects of the Great Depression. If faced with a similar situation today, brainstorm ideas on what to do to survive the economic hardship.
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