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kaelino's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Cute children's story set in Key West, Florida during the time of the Great Depression. A boy named Beans and his friends set out to try to earn a little extra money. Beans wants to be an actor and loves to go see "pictures". Beans and the boys become aware that because of tough times, Key West is in danger of shutting down. When an intriguing group of newcomers (one of them from Hollywood) begin repainting homes and hauling away garbage, Beans learns that the new goal is to save Key West and market it as an attractive tourist destination. Stray dogs, fire alarms and friendship also figure in this story...
I enjoyed Jennifer and Matthew Holm's book, "Sunny Side Up," so I thought I would give this a try. I listened to the audio version and thought the narrator was good. This is a fairly lighthearted tale and a charming coming-of-age story set in an interesting time in history which both children and adults can learn something from.
I enjoyed Jennifer and Matthew Holm's book, "Sunny Side Up," so I thought I would give this a try. I listened to the audio version and thought the narrator was good. This is a fairly lighthearted tale and a charming coming-of-age story set in an interesting time in history which both children and adults can learn something from.
onceuponacarm's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't particularly like Bean as a person, but this was an interesting story and fun to learn about the history of how Key West became the tourist destination it is. Recommended for fans of Turtle in Paradise (same setting, back story of one of the side characters), Dead End in Norvelt, and humorous historical fiction.
barbaramanatee14me's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I've enjoyed other books by this author, but I found the narrator remarkably unlikeable. I learned some interesting things about the history of Key West, but the narrator really ruined it for me.
caseysilk's review against another edition
4.0
A truly delightful children's book that was so enlightening! Little rascals meets historical fiction about the new deal and key west.
eaamd's review against another edition
3.0
Set in Key West; interesting story. More text, lacking the period pictures of Turtle in Paradise. Would work for class reading, not sure if a child would self-select.
roseannmvp's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful historical fiction for young kids. Great characters you fall in love with.
Highly Recommend for any boy or girl ages 7-10 years
Highly Recommend for any boy or girl ages 7-10 years
beths0103's review against another edition
5.0
I can't think of anything that has made my reading heart happier in recent months than revisiting Key West with Beans, the Curry family, and the Diaper Gang one more time in this delightful book that brings a level of fun and mischievousness that you don't often find in historical fiction. I love how, despite this book taking place during the Great Depression, it's not a depressing book. And even though it tackles some tough topics, it does so with a lightheartedness and humor that shows how, despite hard times life not only goes on, but can be lived with great gusto.
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
The Depression is taking its toll on Beans's family in Key West. No money, not enough to eat, no shoes, and, worst of all, no father around because he's looking for work up north. Beans is a tough, entrepreneurial kid. So he finds ways to make money. And, hey, maybe it's not all exactly legal. Or morally defensible. But Beans has to do what he has to do. Even if it means changing babies' diapers and telling a lot of whoppers.
This is great historical fiction, rich with details and facts. And fun to read to boot. The ending was a little abrupt for me, but overall I think kids are going to really like this.
Random thought: Is Beans sort of like a [a:Gary Schmidt|6891947|Gary Schmidt|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] hero? Checklist:
-Distinct, vernacular voice
-Sort of a tough guy vibe, like nothing bothers him
-But his actions betray a sensitive heart of gold
I'm thinking mostly of similarities between Beans and Doug in [b:Okay for Now|9165406|Okay for Now|Gary D. Schmidt|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1388860777s/9165406.jpg|14044509].
This is great historical fiction, rich with details and facts. And fun to read to boot. The ending was a little abrupt for me, but overall I think kids are going to really like this.
Random thought: Is Beans sort of like a [a:Gary Schmidt|6891947|Gary Schmidt|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] hero? Checklist:
-Distinct, vernacular voice
-Sort of a tough guy vibe, like nothing bothers him
-But his actions betray a sensitive heart of gold
I'm thinking mostly of similarities between Beans and Doug in [b:Okay for Now|9165406|Okay for Now|Gary D. Schmidt|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1388860777s/9165406.jpg|14044509].
katieproctorbooks's review
4.0
Maybe 4.5 :) this was super cute and fun, even though it was set in the Great Depression. I learned a lot about Key West!