[Bluebonnet pick]
Turtle in Paradise follows a brief episode in Turtle’s life when she must go live with relatives in Key West in the 1930s; at that time, Key West was not the lush, sophisticated escapist paradise it is today, but rather a close-knit community of “Conchs.” Turtle arrives and it surprised to learn that nearly everyone is her cousin, and nearly everyone has a strange nickname—Beans, Kermit, Johnny Cakes, and Pudding, to name a few.
Once Turtle unexpectedly meets her grandmother, Nana Philly (Philomena), she comes across what she believes to be a real, live treasure map from Black Caesar, a pirate who frequented the Keys. Once she and her cousins set off to find the treasure, more adventure ensues, and the children find out that while life may not be a game, they are all made of stronger stuff.
Turtle in Paradise is a quick read appropriate for elementary-level students and struggling readers at the middle-school level. While our time with Turtle and her family and friends is too brief to really develop much of any sense of character, it is an enjoyable trip to a time when Key West was unspoiled and wholly authentic.
No comments:
Post a Comment