Book Club Guide for Turtle in Paradise
Turtle in Paradise
By Jennifer L. Holm
For Ages 8-12
Genre: Historical Fiction
When Turtle is sent to live with her enterprising and eccentric relatives in Key West, Florida, during the Great Depression, she encounters scams, family secrets, and buried treasure. Use these discussion questions, snacks, and activities for more engagement and fun during your next book club. Turtle in Paradise is great for tween and homeschool book clubs and includes the perfect blend of adventure, history, and humor.
Turtle in Paradise Discussion Questions
Use these discussion questions to get participants engaging with you and each other. Still need more questions? See The Youth Desk’s Book Clubs page for general fiction and nonfiction questions.
- Have you met any kids like those in The Diaper Gang?? Why are they similar or different?
- Do you think The Diaper Gang’s baby-watching business was a good gig? Why?
- What did you think of their names? Who had the best name? The worst?
- If you found a treasure map, what kind of treasure would you hope to find at the end of it?
- How do you think life was different for Turtle in Florida?
- What did you think of the Key West setting? Did you know anything about Key West before reading this book? Did anything surprise you about Key West?
- Did you wonder who Turtle’s dad was before the end?
- Were you happy with the ending?
- Is there anything you would change about the book?
- Anything you would want to ask the author?
Turtle in Paradise Book Club Snacks
Alligator Pear on Cuban bread (aka Avocado on toast)
Aunt Minnie gives Turtle “a piece of thick toast with something green and slimy smeared on top of it” and calls it alligator pear.
Tropical Ice Cream
The ice cream man offered flavors such as tamarind, coconut, mango, sugar apple, and sour cream. If you can find these flavors in your local grocery store, have the kids try one or more of them!
Turtle in Paradise Book Club Activities
Explore Photos of Key West
Share photos of the real-life setting and ask the attendees how they compare or contrast with what they imagined while reading.
Brian Whilhorn from the blog Help Readers Love Reading has posted great photos from his visit to the Keys. They include houses on the real Curry Lane, plus Pepe’s and Sloppy Joes, bars frequented by Slow Poke in the book.
Kewpie Paper Dolls
Aunt Minnie is outraged when she sees Turtle’s paper Kewpie dolls, which she claims were taken from her by Turtle’s mother when they were little girls. Show photos of Kewpie dolls, or better yet, print some paper dolls for them to cut out and use. Try these from the blog Sharon’s Sunlit Memories.
My Homeschool Book Club attendees were terrified of the dolls! They thought they were “creepy” which resulted in a lively discussion about old and creepy toys.
DIY Treasure Maps
Create your own treasure map like the one used by the Diaper Gang. Provide plain or brown paper, pencils, and markers.
MORE RESOURCES
Turtle in Paradise & Full of Beans Educator’s Guide from Random House
The guide includes discussion questions by chapter and extension activities for the book.
Turtle in Paradise Read-Alikes
If your readers loved Turtle in Paradise, they’ll also enjoy:
