Turtle in Paradise

4 stars! I'm reading a lot more middle grade books now for professional development, and since I had read Full of Beans and loved it a few years back, I thought I should read the book that came before it. I love this Key West setting with a group of kids in the 1930's. Turtle is disillusioned by th......more

I read this historical novel set in Key West (year: 1935) with my class and my daughter. Everyone LOVED the book! Turtle had just enough 'snap' in her to make her relatable and funny. You even fall in love with her rotten band of cousins. I thought it was interesting how many of my students had neve......more

My 11yo son and I read this book together for the school parent/child book club. I give it 4 stars because it's age appropriate, entertaining, a bit educational on the history of Key West, and generally an interesting read. I'm not sure my son would rate it as highly. He loved the book throughout un......more

Read this with my daughter for the Great Reads program for our library. Really fun, I liked Betsy Bird's description of "Paper Moon meets Little Rascals," which just about sums it up! It was so fascinating to read about life in Key West, real old Key West, during the Depression, and I liked all the......more

When her mother gets a new job as a housekeeper for a woman who doesn't like children, Turtle must move to Key West to live with her aunt and uncle while her mother waits for her dreamer of a boyfriend to pop the question so they can finally be a family. In the meantime, Turtle adjusts to life with h......more