Common Sense Media Review
By Patricia Tauzer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Depression-era story teaches history, meaning of family.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say that this book evokes mixed feelings, with some finding it relatable and enjoyable due to its blend of humor and emotion, while others feel it's lacking in role models and has a sad ending. Overall, many recommend it for its engaging story and the character of Turtle, despite some criticisms of its pacing and deeper themes.
- mixed reactions
- relatable character
- emotional depth
- strong recommendation
- pacing issues
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When her mother gets a job as a housekeeper for a rich woman who will not abide children, 11-year-old Turtle is sent to live with her relatives in Key West. This all happens during the Great Depression, and no one is living too high off the hog, especially the Conches. However, a place is made for her, and her cat, and they all make do. Turtle pitches in with the group of boys that include her cousins and their friends, fishes for sponges with Slow Poke (who turns out to be her dad), builds a relationship with her grumpy grandmother, searches for treasure -- and finds it. In the end, she learns important lessons about what having real family means, and that life often does not have a "Hollywood ending," even when it turns out.
Is It Any Good?
Kids will find it easy to get swept up in this award-winning book, which is full of adventure, humor, and historical detail.
Except for the fact that everyone is dirt-poor, living in Key West during the Depression seems like a good life for kids. Readers will enjoy watching Turtle and her new friends run around barefoot, explore on their own, or work together to run a business, trading babysitting for candy as part of The Diaper Gang. Everyone in town seems to be related and has a telling nickname -- which means Turtle's story is packed with eccentric characters, ranging from the ragtag boys who are often up to some kind of harmless mischief to sponge fishermen who speak of pirates and treasure. This book imparts a sweet lesson about family, but it is also just plain fun to read.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the author's blending of fiction with fact, including her own family's history. Why do you think she chose to write the story this way? Could you tell what she made up and what was real?
How can fiction books like this one or like Moon over Manifest teach you about The Depression? Did you learn anything that surprised you about that time? Is it easier for you to learn history this way -- or from more factual books?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : May 11, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 208
- Award : Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate