“Turtle in Paradise” by Jennifer L. Holm

This is the first of this year’s Newbery Medalist books that I could get my hands on, and I loved this little charmer.

Inspired by family stories, two-time Newbery Honor winner and New York Timesbestselling author Jennifer L. Holm darling book “Turtle in Paradise” (ages 8 -12 ) beautifully blends family lore with America’s past; rich in historical detail about the Great Depression, humor, and the unique flavors of Key West.

For Turtle, life isn’t like the movies.  At eleven-years-old, she’s 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 somewhat irresponsible 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 stay with an aunt she’s never met.

Florida’s like nothing Turtle has ever seen. It’s hot and strange, full of wild green peeping out between houses, ragtag boy cousins, and secret treasure. Before she knows what’s happened, Turtle finds herself coming out of the shell she has spent her life building, and as she does, her world opens up in the most unexpected ways.

Kids who are fans of “Because of Winn-Dixie” or “Esperanza Rising” will surely adore this book.