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bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
Historical fiction hasn't really been my jam lately, so I wasn't instantly feeling the love when I picked up this book. However, it quickly grew on me, and I realized how much I was enjoying its slow unfurling of a world very different from my own.
Set in the 1930s in the Florida Keys, this book tackles a lot of interesting themes without ever feeling overwhelming. It's easy to identify with Turtle's childhood emotions and actions, and I think her authenticity and that of the boys in the Diaper Gang was the major element that pulled me right into the narrative. I also very much appreciated that Turtle is a rather prickly sort, and that it's her prickliness that enables her to connect with her admittedly rather terrible grandmother. It did make me think about what it would have been like to be something of an unconventional woman in a time like that.
I also liked the subplot about Turtle's mother and the effects her behaviors have had on Turtle's life. I do wish this had been a bit better developed, that we would have had more insight into what's made her mother such a dreamer, but maybe the novel does that. As it was, I liked what this book had to say about how kids are often at the mercy of the whims of adults, and how that system is sometimes extremely unfair to kids. The ways in which Turtle reacts to her lack of agency do a lot to help flush out her character and make her feel more three-dimensional.
Lastly, I appreciated that the book didn't shy away from some of the harsh realities of the world Turtle lived in, but that it did so in a manner that felt authentic to the setting. I'm not sure kids who know nothing about The Depression would understand it on the same level as an adult like me, but at the time what was going on would have felt incidental to the kids, in the same way major events always feel incidental to kids, even when they're having a profound effect on that kid's life. The kids aren't oblivious; they're aware of their reality, but that's just the way things are. They go on living the lives they have. That level of realism resonated with me.
I've read multiple books/graphic novels by Jennifer Holm and find her a very engaging author. She has a way of getting right to the heart of things, of making you feel for her characters, that is very gripping. There's a lot of quality middle grade lit out there, but Holm stands out for me. I don't think she's let me down yet, and I'm not sure she gets as much recognition as she should for being an outstanding author in the genre.
Set in the 1930s in the Florida Keys, this book tackles a lot of interesting themes without ever feeling overwhelming. It's easy to identify with Turtle's childhood emotions and actions, and I think her authenticity and that of the boys in the Diaper Gang was the major element that pulled me right into the narrative. I also very much appreciated that Turtle is a rather prickly sort, and that it's her prickliness that enables her to connect with her admittedly rather terrible grandmother. It did make me think about what it would have been like to be something of an unconventional woman in a time like that.
I also liked the subplot about Turtle's mother and the effects her behaviors have had on Turtle's life. I do wish this had been a bit better developed, that we would have had more insight into what's made her mother such a dreamer, but maybe the novel does that. As it was, I liked what this book had to say about how kids are often at the mercy of the whims of adults, and how that system is sometimes extremely unfair to kids. The ways in which Turtle reacts to her lack of agency do a lot to help flush out her character and make her feel more three-dimensional.
Lastly, I appreciated that the book didn't shy away from some of the harsh realities of the world Turtle lived in, but that it did so in a manner that felt authentic to the setting. I'm not sure kids who know nothing about The Depression would understand it on the same level as an adult like me, but at the time what was going on would have felt incidental to the kids, in the same way major events always feel incidental to kids, even when they're having a profound effect on that kid's life. The kids aren't oblivious; they're aware of their reality, but that's just the way things are. They go on living the lives they have. That level of realism resonated with me.
I've read multiple books/graphic novels by Jennifer Holm and find her a very engaging author. She has a way of getting right to the heart of things, of making you feel for her characters, that is very gripping. There's a lot of quality middle grade lit out there, but Holm stands out for me. I don't think she's let me down yet, and I'm not sure she gets as much recognition as she should for being an outstanding author in the genre.
hellocookie's review against another edition
5.0
A true treasure of a story…pirate treasure, that is! Learning about your family, meeting new people, coming out of your shell; these are all things that Turtle has face in this tale and Jenni Holm and Savanna Ganucheau perfectly set the scene along with warm pastel colours that evoke a southern summer in the Keys. For fans of This One Summer.
gingerbread_void's review against another edition
3.0
I should start by saying I have never read the book that this graphic novel is about but I did really enjoy this. I thought the story was really sweet and heart breaking and places. I enjoyed following Turtle on her adventures and seeing what her and the boys got up to.
The art style was also really good. I thought it was adorable and bright in a way that really fit the story.
This book is a great addition to the graphic novel classic collection. I am looking forward to its physical release.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early review copy.
The art style was also really good. I thought it was adorable and bright in a way that really fit the story.
This book is a great addition to the graphic novel classic collection. I am looking forward to its physical release.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early review copy.
ang_soko31's review against another edition
3.0
Like the story right until the last few pages. The mother was horrible
mnstucki's review against another edition
4.0
I've had the novel version of this on my to-read shelf for quite a while because it's a Newbery Honor book, but have never quite gotten around to it, so when I saw this graphic novel format I was very excited. As is the case with most graphic novels, this was a quick read. Set during the Great Depression, this was a real but hopeful look at a little girl's life in a new place as she learns to come into her own. She hangs out with a rag-tag group of boys and gives them a run for their money.
I may yet come back to the original novel version, but I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel adaptation.
I may yet come back to the original novel version, but I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel adaptation.
bekkysaurus_rex's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
maryehavens's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked learning about Key West during the 1930s but I kind of wanted to slap Sadiebelle. Really lady? How dumb are you? Makes me feel bad about Turtle.
I thought that Turtle's journey was typical of this time period (from what I've gathered by watching 1930s era movies). I enjoyed learning about the sea turtle, conch, and sponge industry. I've never been to Key West before but I am definitely more interested now from reading this graphic novel.
Fun, historical read!
I thought that Turtle's journey was typical of this time period (from what I've gathered by watching 1930s era movies). I enjoyed learning about the sea turtle, conch, and sponge industry. I've never been to Key West before but I am definitely more interested now from reading this graphic novel.
Fun, historical read!