Turtle in Paradise
Turtle in Paradise is a 2010 Newbery Honor Book by Jennifer L. Holm.[1] The book also won the Golden Kite Award. The main character, Turtle, is eleven years old and lives in Key West, Florida during the Great Depression. [2]
Plot
Turtle is an eleven year old girl who is sent to live with her aunt and cousins in Key West, Florida because Turtle's mother's boss refuses to let Turtle stay in her house, including her cat, Smokey. When Turtle first arrives, her Aunt Mimi is distraught because she didn't receive her sister's letter about Turtle coming and living with her. Turtle's cousins, Beans the eldest gives a cold welcome to Turtle; Kermit has a heart-defect and must take naps in the middle of the day and must not partake in overwhelming activities such as running and Buddy the youngest is pruned to having accidents in his pants. Aunt Mimi eventually lets Turtle stay, but takes residence in Beans' room, causing him to hate her more.
The boys are known as the Diaper Gang in the town because they care for babies, along with their friend Pork-Chop and have a 'secret formula' for diaper rash. Turtle's mother, Sadie Belle is dating a salesman and she is planning to marry him and move into a suburban house, and to do so she saves up from her job as a maid in rich people's homes. Turtle later learns a rumor of buried pirate treasure somewhere in the Keys and hopes to find it and use it to purchase a house for her mother. However, Turtle feels she's right at home in paradise.
References
- ^ "2011 Newbery Medal and Honor Books". Association for Library Service to Children. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ "jenniferholm.com". Retrieved 31 January 2011.
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