Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm is a charming, humorous middle‑grade novel following 11-year-old Turtle as she navigates life with her eccentric relatives in Depression-era Florida. Full of memorable characters and witty adventures, it’s a delightful story of family, resilience, and finding your place in the world.

Turtle in Paradise will always be my favorite book from my childhood. My dad read it to me when I was in 4th grade; even now, the story takes me back to those cozy moments with my dad and the joy of getting lost in a book.