I received an ARC of this title for a fair review:

I was really drawn to this graphic novel because of the bright colors on the cover.

Turtle is a young girl who is being sent away to live with her aunt in the key west. Her aunt already has 4 rambunctious boys and a MIA husband to worry about, but still takes Turtle in. The climate, the people, and event he animals are different in the key west and Turtle takes her time adjusting. Eventually she finds a way to fit into the chaos until her Mama can come and get her again.

a fun slightly historical fiction feel

This adaptation of Jennifer L. Holms' novel Turtle in Paradise is wonderful. The colors set the mood for the time and place. The pictures enhance the story without overshadowing it. Thoroughly enjoyed this and am anxious to get some feedback from my middle school students. This is a fantastic way to introduce historical fiction.

A slice of life and time graphic novel about a girl named Turtle, living with her aunt for the summer while she waits for her mother and her flighty boyfriend to get enough money to come get her. Very sweet, I loved the progression of the relationships between the kids, and Turtle as a character was very solid throughout the book. A little slow at the start, but otherwise a nice read

Jennifer Holm’s 2010 novel, Turtle in Paradise, was a Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee and a favorite among middle grade readers of historical and realistic fiction. It is full of humor, interesting characters, historical references, and warms a reader’s heart. The graphic novel adaptation does all of that but adds the extra layer of artistic representation that only that format can and is well done by illustrator Savanna Ganucheau. Story summaries for the book abound, but those leave out the strong literary elements present: diverse personalities among the main characters allowing for character mapping and compare/contrast opportunities, clear plot progression and well-established setting, plus many events that are easily described using cause & effect vocabulary. For libraries looking to offer a book with great literary merit, like Craft’s New Kid or Jamison’s Roller Girl, to their graphic novel-loving patrons, this is a terrific “first choice” book when you make out your next order! Like the traditional format, this version of Turtle in Paradise is free of profanity, sexual content, and the only violence is that done by a hurricane and a briefly described episode of animal cruelty.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for the eARC.

Turtle in Paradise is a graphic novel based upon the book with the same title and author. I was initially attracted to this book because of the popular success of the original story as well as the fact that author, Jennifer L. Holm, has become a very successful graphic novel author in the last several years.

Turtle in Paradise takes place in 1935 when the main character, Turtle, is sent to Florida to live with her aunt and cousins while her mom cleans house for a woman who does not like kids. Turtle’s life in Key West starts out rough - she doesn’t have the warmest welcome and her cousins (all boys who run the “Diaper Gang”) don’t have much interest in letting her in their home. Turtle eventually settles in and learns to lean on her family.

I think this was a great adaptation of the original story. There were a few parts that I felt were cut short (hence the 4/5 stars), but overall I think this story was well done. The graphics and writing were great. I will definitely be purchasing this for my library once it becomes available.

Absolutely charming. I read the novel years ago—maybe back when it came out—and wasn’t sure how well it would translate into a graphic format. The illustrations and color palette totally conjured the Key West mood and atmosphere; the characters were rendered in a way that captured their spirits without much in the way of written description. This was as good as or even improved upon the novel—the highest praise any adaptation can receive, I think.

I first saw this graphic novel being advertised online and was interested due to the Key West, Florida setting as someone living in South Florida. At that point I was not aware this was a graphic novel adaptation, but was aware of Jennifer L. Holm’s previous graphic novel work. So I knew, based off previous graphic novels, that this book was likely to be a winner. Learning that the graphic novel is based on a Newbery Honor Winner only cemented this.
The story takes place in 1935 and follows a little girl, Turtle, sent to live with her Aunt and cousins in Key West. Turtle can no longer stay with her Mother, who is employed as a maid in a wealthy home where children are not welcomed. This is a big change for Turtle, who is used to living with her dreamy Mother on their own. Now, she is dealing with her harried Aunt, her three boy cousins, and her cousins many friends. Fortunately, after a rough beginning Turtle learns to make Key West her home.
I cannot judge the book based on its original text, but the graphic novel is a phenomenal read. The adaptation appears to have been done quite competently. The illustrations are colorful and fit the setting of Key West well. While the story is historical fiction, it manages to feel relevant. So, children will not feel disconnected from the story due to the time period. In addition, if they do enjoy historical fiction, they will especially like the notes at the end of the book. The end notes include information about the authors family, of which the book is loosely based on and includes pictures. I would recommend this book to those who would appreciate the setting (especially my readers in Florida), anyone who enjoys historical fiction, and graphic novel lovers.

Fans of graphic novels will love this chance to get into a historical fiction story. The images help to create a picture of this time, and the troupe of kids, "The diaper gang" are loveable in their own quirky way. Turtle is a memorable character, trying to find her way when she is forced to live with her cousins. The challenges of the depression, and the bond the kids have shine through this graphic adaptation of the novel.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

I have never read the full text version of Turtle in Paradise, although many of my patrons love it and use it for their historical fiction project in middle school. When I saw a graphic novel version, I knew I wanted to read it.

I struggled with the version sent to me, only because it was all black and white. I look forward to seeing the color version! The story is easy to follow, and very readable. I read this in one sitting and enjoyed it.

I’ll be recommending this to my patrons who enjoy realistic graphic novels.

The art is incredible in this book! It takes an already great story by Jennifer Holm and makes it visually stunning, a great adaptation.

This charming adaptation comes 10 years after the original Newbery Honor winning novel’s original publication. Jennifer L. Holm’s TURTLE IN PARADISE: The Graphic Novel (5/4/21) is brought to life with engaging panels of colorful illustrations by Savanna Ganucheau depicting Key West during the Great Depression. It’s 1935 and 11-year-old Turtle is sent to hot, unfamiliar Florida to stay with her family of perfect strangers while her mother stays behind working as a housekeeper. This family is full of playful boy cousins, each with big personalities (and fantastic names) and it takes a bit of adapting and patience for Turtle to feel like she fits in among the Diaper Gang. There’s plenty of humor and mischief to be had along with cultural traditions/slang of the era and setting. The local flavors and beach scene lends itself so well to each and every panel while the facial expressions allow readers to empathize with Turtle’s curiosities, hopes, and struggles. I’m so glad Holm included her thorough authors note which speaks of her great grandmother’s immigration experience as inspiration for the story and provides some lovely photographs.

This was so good! I've never read the novel, and now I feel like I have to, because I'm not ready to stop reading about Turtle and the Diaper Gang. The colors in this were so beautiful, and I felt like I could understand life in the Keys even though I've never been. Fantastic!

I thought this was a great, fun, and very colorful graphic novel for middle-grade kids. I haven't read the original that this is based on but I don't feel like I was missing out on information. Turtle's story was sweet and I think a good historical representation that would make it easy for kids to relate today. The coloring was fantastic.

Books by Jennifer Holm are always universally loved and her latest is sure to join her others. What a fun family tale of love, curiosity and adventure. The graphics are vivid, with the conversations and bubble talk certain to be appealing to older elementary school students. A sweet story!

The graphic novel adaptation of Turtle in Paradise was an entertaining and fun read. When Turtle gets sent away, she has no idea what kind of world she is walking into. A fun blend of historic fiction, adventure and family drama present itself in this book. The back matter pages were amazing and I loved learning more about the process and place.

Pick this one up if you are looking for a wonderful story about family, friends and adventure!! This book follows the story of a young girl from New Jersey who is sent to live with family in the Florida Keys. I have never read the book that this graphic novel is based on but I did really enjoy this!! The story was both super sweet and heart breaking. I loved the art in this graphic novel. It has a simple layout making It is easy to follow along.

I love this author. I try and read everything I can by her and I recommend her books often at the library. Babymouse was cute and the Sunny books are some of the best ever. I wanted to read this one because of that. And it did not disappoint. Great graphic adaptation of this book. Highly recommend.

"Turtle in Paradise" by Jennifer L. Holm - Graphic Novel based on Newbery Honor-winning middle-grade historical fiction novel "Turtle in Paradise" is perfect for students in grades 2nd - 4th. "Turtle in Paradise" is a repeat read and this graphic novel companion will help us grow visualizing and inferencing skills.

I read this book a few years ago and really enjoyed it. The story of a young girl from New Jersey who is sent to live with family in the Florida Keys. There she meets family she never knew she had, including cousins and a grandmother, She is biding her time waiting for her mother to get her so they can start a new life. The art in this graphic novel version is really good. The layout is simple, making it easy to read and follow along. I'd recommend this for children 3rd grade and up, looking for a story about friends, adventure, and family.

(blog post published on April 2)
My Thoughts:
This is a graphic novel adaptation of author Jennifer L. Holm's 2011 historic fiction novel of life in Key West in 1935 during the depression. The book takes place in the small, tight knit white community as Turtle is sent to live with her aunt and boy cousins. While staying on Curry Lane, although everyone is poor, her cousins, aka "the Diaper Gang," find ways to make "candy money" and take care of only the bad babies. Like Fight Club, there are rules to Diaper Gang. The first rule is "you gotta know the rules." Then, in order: no girls allowed, keep your rag clean, always duck, and never tell anyone the secret formula.

Turtle, her actual name, is spunky and a convincing liar so she fits in well with the fast moving Diaper Gang as well as the resident rum runner and sponge fisherman. She even out sasses the mean Miss Bea who turns out to be her grandmother who Turtle's mom insisted was dead.

The illustrations by Savanna Ganucheau bring back the black and white comics of Little Orphan Annie, but the vibrant pastels of colorist Lark Pien help to evoke Florida in the mind of modern readers.

There are enough adventures in this adaptation to satisfy the tween readers and the relationships that are created may bring them to the original novel.

From the Publisher:
A graphic novel adaptation of the beloved, bestselling Newbery Honor-winning novel.

Eleven-year-old Turtle is smart and tough and has seen enough of the world not to expect a Hollywood ending. After all, it's 1935 and money—and sometimes even dreams—is scarce. So when Turtle's mother gets a job housekeeping for a lady who doesn't like kids, Turtle heads off to Florida to live with relatives. Florida's like nothing Turtle's ever seen before, though. It's full of ragtag boy cousins, family secrets to unravel . . . and even a little bit of fun. Before she knows what's happened, Turtle finds herself coming out of her shell. And as she does, her world opens up in the most unexpected ways.

Inspired by family stories, three-time Newbery Honor winner Jennifer L. Holm blends family lore with America's past in this charming gem of a novel, now adapted into graphic novel form by rising star Savanna Ganucheau.