Thursday, November 17, 2011

Turtle in Paradise (audio)

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm. Narrated by Becca Battoe.
Audience: 3rd-5th grade
My Rating: 2.5* of 5
Summary: 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.
Comments: Whether it was Battoe's reading, Holm's writing, or both this story never grabbed my attention nor held it captive. While I appreciate the slice of Key West life, it did not feel like a well crafted story to me, making the final plot twists seem out of place. The "Diaper Gang," who only watch "bad babies cuz there ain't no such thing as good babies" was the highlight throughout.
Awards: Bluebonnet list 2011-2012

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