Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm

Title: Turtle in Paradise
Author: Jennifer L. Holm
Age Range: grades 4-6
Genre/Theme: historical fiction; family problems


Turtle is the practical, voice of reason in her family, despite being only 11 years old; this is a useful trait as Turtle’s mom Sadie Bell, is a slightly dreamy and overly optimistic live-in housekeeper. Sadie Bell is beautiful and romantic, which sometimes causes problems with her employers, so Turtle and her mom have a somewhat nomadic existence. When a new employer refuses to let Turtle live-in, Sadie Bell sends Turtle to live with relatives in Key West. Taking place in 1935, during the Great Depression, the book tells the tale of Turtle meeting new people – some of whom are close relatives – and discovering secret treasures buried by pirates and family members. Turtle in Paradise offers humor – the Diaper Gang babysitting business – and adventure – a hurricane rages while the kids are stuck on an island. Lots of period details are included such as regular references to the comic strips Little Orphan Annie and Terry and the Pirates. In addition to receiving a 2011 Newbery Honor for this title, Holm has received the same award for Penny from Heaven (2009) and Our Only May Amelia (2000); she is also the author of the very popular Babymouse graphic novel series.

We the Children by Andrew Clements

Title:     We the Children

Author:   Andrew Clements

Age Range:  grades 3-6

Series:  #1 in the Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School series

Ben and his friend Jill, sixth-graders at the Oakes School, learn that something fishy is going on in their seaside school. Mysterious coins, sneaky adults, changes and challenges in Ben’s family, and a thrilling sailing race add up to an adventure in which Ben and Jill try to save their school – given to the community in 1783! – from being destroyed to make way for an amusement park. Will they succeed or are Ben and Jill in over their heads?  Andrew Clements is a master at the school story – the kids are empowered and brave and realistically drawn, often fighting unevenly matched battles against semi-nefarious adults. The only downside to We the Children is the very abrupt ending, with little resolution to the main challenge; this book is definitely the first in a series.

Reviewed by Melissa Henderson, Children’s Department, Glencoe Public Library

Raiders' Ransom by Emily Diamand

Title:     Raiders’ Ransom

Author:   Emily Diamand

Publication Data:   Scholastic, Inc. 2009; 334p

Description:   This lively British adventure tale is set in the next century after an apocalyptic climate change has submerged most of England and returned society to the Dark Ages. A young orphan girl, Lilly, embarks on an adventure involving a “jewel” (actually a relic from the high-tech 21^st century), the kidnapped daughter of the prime minster, and the son of the leader of a lawless band of raiders. Lots of adventure and peril and betrayal and a rescue or two follow at a fast clip. A few of the scenes offer scary and/or gruesome description, but there is also some humor in the characters’ misunderstanding of technology of the past (computers, referred to as ‘puters, are sort of mythical items). I suspect there are also some inside jokes involving British names, places, and practices that might go over the heads of those on this side of the Atlantic, but it doesn’t hinder the understanding of the book. I listened to Raiders’ Ransom in audio book format at the suggestion of two patrons, both of whom enjoyed it while on family trips. The audio book features a boy reader and a girl reader, reflecting the dual points of view found in the story.

                Reviewed by Melissa Henderson, Children’s Department, Glencoe Public Library