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What Members Thought
I like the story, the setting of Key West Florida in 1930s, the crazy characters including the witty but lovable Turtle. Everything about this book feels just right - but unfortunately a bit too short, so I feel the ending is a bit of a rush and I'm still longing to hear more about Turtle's story. But it deserves the Newbery, though! :)
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A really cute story loosely based on the author's own family history in 1935 Key West, Florida. There's a rag tag group of boys called the Diaper Gang (they're like a dirty male babysitters' club), a Shirley Temple-hating smart-mouthed narrator, lots of wonky nicknames (Turtle, Pork Chop, Pudding, Too Bad, Killie the Horse, etc, etc), and a hunt for pirate treasure! What more could you want?
The story is mostly about a New Jersey girl adapting to life with her rapscallion Southern relatives. Tur ...more
The story is mostly about a New Jersey girl adapting to life with her rapscallion Southern relatives. Tur ...more
Recommended Ages: grades 4 - 6
Life isn't like the movies, and eleven-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 stay with relatives she's never met.
Florida's like nothing Turtle has e ...more
Life isn't like the movies, and eleven-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 stay with relatives she's never met.
Florida's like nothing Turtle has e ...more
almost gave it an extra star for the 'Diaper Gang' taking care of 'bad babies.'
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Lovely story about family and those who love us - set in Key West during the Depression.
A lovely picture of Key West from long ago through a child's eyes.
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Holm writes fantastically engaging historical fiction, pulling you in with just enough detail and marvelous characters. The plot here felt a bit thin, even given the compact quality of the book, with a few turns that stretched credibility for me. Apart from that, the characters and setting are excellent and I'd recommend this to young historical fiction fans.
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Newbery Honor, 2011
I really loved Turtle's voice, the unique Key West setting and memorable characters. I felt the real flavor of Key West while reading this book. Narrator Becca Battoe added to Turtle's spunky, no-nonsense character. ...more
I really loved Turtle's voice, the unique Key West setting and memorable characters. I felt the real flavor of Key West while reading this book. Narrator Becca Battoe added to Turtle's spunky, no-nonsense character. ...more
Jenny does it again - this time with a fabulous story of Key West during the depression! Great sense of time and place with wonderful characters. Pick this one up and enjoy! Maybe a contender?
I really enjoyed the voice of Turtle and the sense of place in this book.
Jul 04, 2010
Maria
marked it as to-read
Nov 14, 2010
Monica Edinger
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Jan 21, 2012
Annemarie O'brien
marked it as to-read
Jul 22, 2012
Margo Jantzi
marked it as to-read
Nov 17, 2012
Melinda Caldwell
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