America is in the midst of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, and Turtle's mom just got a new job as a maid. Unfortunately, her new boss doesn't like children, so Turtle has to leave New Jersey to live with relatives in Key West. To make matters worse, her aunt and cousins are not happy to see her because they are struggling financially, too.

The boys won't let her join the Diaper Gang (no girls allowed), but Turtle is determined to prove she's just as clever and tough as any boy. She'll also discover some truths about the past and her family that will change the way she sees herself.

Like Penny From Heaven, Turtle in Paradise is filled with quirky but believable characters and bizarre but believable events. One of the things I found most interesting about this book is the way Holm reveals mysteries and presents information that the reader can easily comprehend but to which Turtle remains oblivious. For example, Turtle has no idea who her biological father is, but the answer is quite obvious to the reader from fairly early in the book. It's an interesting choice, and I felt a little frustrated that Turtle still didn't know the truth at the end of the story. Holm has created a character who is believable and sympathetic, and I wanted her to get the big revelation at the end. Maybe there will be a sequel? (Grades 4-7)