Jennifer L. Holm

In 1935, when her mother gets a job housekeeping for a woman who does not like children, eleven-year-old Turtle is sent to stay with relatives she has never met in far away Key West, Florida.

Turtle in Paradise

Danielle 

I read this book as a read aloud with a class of 5th graders and every single student loved it! The main character is spunky, sassy, hilarious and even sweet at times! My students really liked the historical fiction aspect, and it was so much fun introducing them to Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire, and other historical figures they had never heard of. The secondary characters are wonderfully lovable and the writer's craft is simply astounding! I think this is a book that could be enjoyed at any age!

zaynah

Caitlin Hooker

Lainie Smith

cora albers

Delaney Woods 

anna

Ellie Younger

Kathryn Emerson

Emily Walker

Kit Nash

Jamie Mitchell

Dustin Wyse-Fisher

Claire Klein

Savannah 

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."