Turtle in Paradise Virtual Book Club

Florida History

Turtle in Paradise Introduction

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H.O.T. Questions Ch. 1-9

Turtle in Paradise Florida History

Florida during the The Great Depression was a period of economic difficulties. For the first time ever, the economy caused a shortage in mail production, but those who worked in mail had job security.

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President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the president during the 1930’s. His presidency became known as the “New Deal” because he made many promises to help restore the country.

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Relief or aid from the federal government, tourism, and betting played a role in helping support Florida’s economy.

Turtle in Paradise Florida History

In 1935, Hurricane Three or The Great Labor Day Hurricane made landfall in the Florida Keys.

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It caused catastrophic and disastrous damage. Many towns were ruined, including houses, shops, and railroads. There were about 485 deaths.

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Turtle in Paradise Florida History

Walt Disney created the animation character Mickey Mouse during the early 1930’s. This little cartoon helped get the economy going!

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Shirley Temple was “America’s Little Darling”. She was one of the most popular child actors during the Great Depression.

Little Orphan Annie was a comic strip that became a film, later played by Shirley Temple.

Turtle in Paradise H.O.T Questions

(CHAPTER 1)

• What is the plot of Turtle in Paradise? What is the story about?
• How would you feel if you were on your way to a location that you had never been to before with people that you never knew? What are some emotions that you would have? How did Turtle feel?
• In the beginning of Chapter 1, what did you first think about Turtle as a character? What traits or characteristics would you use to describe her?

(CHAPTER 2)

• What can you infer about the setting based on Turtle’s description and what traits helped you realize that it was not present day?
• Who was the President?
• Compare and Contrast Turtle and Beans. Did you notice any similarities or differences between them? What were they?
• Which character do you think you are most like and why?

(CHAPTER 3)

• What helps you indicate that Aunt Minnie has a lot of chaos or disorganization going around her house?
• With having limited resources, what were some ways that the characters tried to make money or ways that they worked to receive goods?
• Why couldn’t the Diaper Gang get paid? What would you have done to earn more money during this time?

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Turtle in Paradise H.O.T Questions Continued

(CHAPTER 4)

• What is an alligator pear? And what are some other names or terms that you know it as? When Beans called Turtle “dumb” for having a different name for an “alligator pear” what did you think about that statement?
• What kind of relationship did Aunt Minnie and Mama have?

(CHAPTER 5)

• Do you agree that Turtle’s trickery to get free ice cream was clever, dishonest, or both? What were your feelings on it?
• What are some ways that you would have tried to get ice cream?

(CHAPTER 6)

• Do you agree that it was right for Aunt Minnie to take back her paper dolls from Turtle? Explain why you agree or disagree.
• Would you have given Aunt Minnie the dolls back? Why or why not?
• What are some consequences that could happen to Kermit if he played or worked too hard? Why would it be bad for him?

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Turtle in Paradise H.O.T Questions Continued

(CHAPTER 7)

• What did you think of Slow Poke and Turtle’s relationship/dynamic?
• What would you have done if there was unclaimed treasure like the one from Black Caesar and Old Rope’s treasure? Would you search for it and if so, how?

(CHAPTER 8)

• What could have been the reason that Mama/Sadiebelle told Turtle that her grandmother was dead?
• What kind of relationship do you think Mama/Sadiebelle and Nana Philly had?
• What does the community look like in Key West? Is there diversity? Is it close-knit/ familiar?

(CHAPTER 9)

• What did you think of the stunt between the Diaper Gang when they were “tick-tocking” or bothering the people that they didn’t like in their town?
• What kinds of jokes would you have played on your town?

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Turtle in Paradise H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 10)

• Are you like Mama where you see the good in everyone and everything or are you like Turtle where you question and wonder about people’s true intentions? Who is more responsible? Mama or Turtle?
• Can you see yourself in the Diaper Gang? Are they a group of people that you would want to be friends with? Why or why not? What are some things that they’ve done?
• Turtle was tricked into eating turtle soup. Have you ever tried an crazy food combinations? What is the weirdest food that you’ve ever eaten? Did it taste good or will you never eat it again?
• What does Turtle’s name say about her?

(Chapter 11)

• Nana Philly seems to be very stubborn. What do you think happened to her that made her not so friendly?
• Do you have close relationships with your grandparents or someone who is older? What are some of your favorite things to do with them?
• How would you have gotten Nana Philly to eat her food? What are some things that you would have made?
• Turtle made milk toast, what is a favorite treat of yours?

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Turtle in Paradise H.O.T Questions Continued

(Chapter 12)

• Aunt Minnie assumes that Turtle’s cat made a mess of her laundry. What are some ways that Aunt Minnie could have politely asked about the mess?
• Aunt Minnie gets stung by a scorpion. What are you thoughts? Was it payback, karma, fate?

(Chapter 13)

• Do you consider yourself to be an adventurous person? Would you have looked for the lost treasure after finding the map?
• Do you think you have more freedom to do what you would like or do you think that the Diaper Gang has more freedom? Why or why not?

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Turtle in Paradise H.O.T Questions Continued

(Chapter 14)

• Was it realistic that the Diaper Gang would steal a boat and drive it by themselves? What are some possible things that could have happened? (Think about everyone who was on the boat.)
• What is the purpose of a map? How has technology improved from the paper map over the years since the 1930’s?
• Are you spontaneous or do you like to plan? Why or why not?

(Chapter 15)

• What could the Diaper Gang have done with the money they found? What would you have done?
• Turtle likes to compare her life to Orphan Annie throughout the book. Did you notice any similarities or differences between them?
• When the gang discovers that the boat is missing, they begin to point fingers at one another. Did it help solve the problem when they were blaming? What could they have been doing instead of blaming one another?

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Turtle in Paradise H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 16)

• If you were stranded on a island like the Diaper Gang, who would you have acted like and why? Think about how Beans, Pork Chop, Ira, Turtle, and Kermit reacted.

(Chapter 17)

• How did the Diaper Gang survive the hurricane? Have you ever been in a hurricane? What precautions or steps would you take to make sure that you stayed safe?

(Chapter 18)

• Who was Slow Poke to Mama and Turtle? Why was he so nice to Turtle?
• What do you think about Archie? Were his intentions good or was he just using Mama/Sadiebelle?
• What did you think about the ending of the book? Did you like it? What would you have changed if you were the author?

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MINI GAME: Battle of the Books!

Find the answer and the page number to the question. Type it in the chatbox first. First person to respond and answer the question gets the point.The person with the most correct answers wins!

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• What is Mr. Edgits first name? (Chapter 1)
• What is the full first name of Turtle’s aunt? (Chapter 1)
• Who made the cartoon “The Three Little Pigs? (Chapter 1)
• What happened to Smokey’s tail? (Chapter 3)
• What does the Diaper Gang’s secret formula cure? (Chapter 3)
• Who was the president during the time?
• What is an alligator pear? (Chapter 4)
• How does news get around Key West? (Chapter 4)
• How much does ice cream cost from the ice cream man? (Chapter 5)
• What are Turtle and Slow Poke’s nicknames for each other? (Chapter 7)

MINI GAME: Battle of the Books Continued

Find the answer and the page number to the question. Type it in the chatbox first. First person to respond and answer the question gets the point.The person with the most correct answers wins!

• Who is “America’s Little Darling”? What is Turtle’s opinion of her? (Chapter 1)
• Who is the president at the time this story takes place? (Chapter 1)
• How does Buddy know that Turtle isn’t from Florida? (Chapter 3)
• Why are all the kids afraid of Nana Philly? (Chapter 8)
• What happened to Ira’s little brother Eggy? (Chapter 9)
• What kind of storm blew across the island when the kids were stranded there? (Chapter 17)
• What is the secret diaper-rash formula? (Chapter 17)
• Who does the Diaper Gang tick tock? (Chapter 9)
• What are the rules of the Diaper Gang? (Chapter 3)

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Full of Beans Virtual Lit Circles

H.O.T. Questions Ch. 1-10

Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 1)

• What did Beans mean when he said that he’d been “Winked” again? (PS)
• What does decrepit mean? (PS)
• Why did Beans and Kermit call Mr. Stone a lunatic? (PS)
• Why does Bean keep selling to Winky, even though he doesn't pay the right amount?(SD)
• Who did Stone say sent him to Key West?(SD)
• What was president Roosevelt saying on the radio? (JI)
• Who drove the same car as Bonnie and Clyde?(KE)

(Chapter 2)

• How did Poppy prove Beans right about adults telling lies? (PS)
• Who does Beans think is the biggest pest of all? (PS)
• What is the rumor about Johnny Cakes?(SD)
• Why was the fire bell so important?(SD)
• How did the mother wear her hair net?(JI)
• (Chapter 3)
• What is a Mibster and who were the Keepsies? (PS)
• What is a bolita? (PS)
• What are bollos? (PS)
• What are the two reasons everyone always visited Pork Chops house?(SD)
• What was Too Bad holding when he asked if the wanted to play marbles? (JI)
• Why are they called the Keepsies? (AO)

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Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 4)

• What were Beans two favorite places? (PS)
• Who is Termite? (PS)
• What does hawking mean? (PS)
• What are Beans and his friends hawking? (PS)
• What was so important about Duval Street? (SD)
• Who had the idea to sell gum?(SD)
• What did the kids noticed when they walked into Too Bads house? (JI)
• What did Too Bad do at the end of the chapter? (KE)

(Chapter 5)

• What did they do for supper for the inmates because Key West was so broke? (PS)
• Who is Mr. Stone? (PS)
• Who did Mr. Stone tell Beans and Kermit sent him to Key West? (PS)
• Why couldn’t Beans and Kermit go to the picture show with Pork Chop and Ira? (PS)
• What do you think Johnny Cakes will ask Beans and Kermit to do for a job? (PS)
• What did Mr. Stone think they could turn Key West into?(SD)
• What was a ‘bum/ deal?(SD)
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Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 6)

• What do you think will happen next? (PS)
• What does prohibition mean? (PS)
• What do you think is inside the coffins? (PS)
• What did Johnny Cakes lie about? (PS)
• Who came with Beans to Johnny’s? (KE)
• Do you think Beans will keep making bad decisions? (KE)
• What does Johnny Cakes run? (AO)

(Chapter 7)

• What did Beans and Kermit get from working for Johnny Cakes? (PS)
• What did Kermit spend all of his pay on? (PS)
• What caught Beans eye in the picture theater? (PS)
• What is a haint, does anyone remember? (PS)
• What falls out of the shutters when Mr. Stone opens them? (NR)

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Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 8)

• What did Beans and Kermit deliver for Ma?(SD)
• Why did Cem have that nickname? (SD)
• How did Beans help Little Dizzy? (KE)
• Who is Nana Philly? (KE)

(Chapter 9)

• What job did Johnny cakes ask Beans to do for him?(SD)
• What did Beans take from Too Bad’s house?(SD)
• Why was there renovations happening? (KE)

(Chapter 10)

• Why did Beans pretend to go to bed early?(SD)
• Where did Johnny Cakes and Beans meetup?(SD)
• How much money did Johnny Cakes give Beans? (KE)

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Battle of the Books! Ch. 1-10

Find the answer and the page number to the question. Type it in the chatbox first. First person to respond and answer the question gets the point.The group with the most correct answers wins!

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• Ch. 1: Why does Bean keep selling to Winky, even though he doesn't pay the right amount?(SD)
• Who did Stone say sent him to Key West?(SD)
• What was president Roosevelt saying on the radio? (JI)
• Ch. 2: Who does Beans think is the biggest pest of all? (PS)
• What is the rumor about Johnny Cakes?(SD)
• Ch. 3: Who does Beans think is the biggest pest of all? (PS)
• What is the rumor about Johnny Cakes?(SD)
• Ch. 4: Who had the idea to sell gum?(SD)
• What did the kids notice when they walked into Too Bad’s house? (JI)
• Ch. 5: What did they do for supper for the inmates because Key West was so broke? (PS)
• Why couldn’t Beans and Kermit go to the picture show with Pork Chop and Ira? (PS)
• Ch. 6: What do you think is inside the coffins? (PS)
• What did Johnny Cakes lie about? (PS)
• Ch. 7: What did Beans and Kermit get from working for Johnny Cakes? (PS)

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Battle of the Books! Ch. 1-10

Find the answer and the page number to the question. Type it in the chatbox first. First person to respond and answer the question gets the point.The group with the most correct answers wins!

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• Ch. 8 What did Beans and Kermit deliver for Ma?(SD)
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• Ch. 9: What did Beans take from Too Bad’s house?(SD)
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• Ch. 10: Where did Johnny Cakes and Beans meetup?(SD)
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Full of Beans Virtual Lit Circles

H.O.T. Questions Ch. 11-19

MINI GAME: Battle of the Books

Find the answer and the page number to the question. Type it in the chatbox first. First person to respond and answer the question gets the point.The person with the most correct answers wins!

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Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 11)

• What was the name Beans and Conchs called ghosts and what did they do to keep them away? (PS)
• What was wrong with Kermit?(KE)
• Who called Beans for New Jersey? (PS)
• Who was listening in on Beans call? (PS)
• Does Beans like the person who was listening on the call? (AO)
• What did Beans realize about why adults lie sometimes? (PS)
• What was Beans mother excited about? (PS)
• What did Bean’s mother need to get in order to make the clothing?(KE)
• What did Beans mother ask him to ask Nana Philly? (PS)
• What did Nana Philly give Kermit for his sore throat? (PS)
• What color was the ceiling painted?(JI)
• What was the coolest place to be during the heat of the day? (SD)
• What did Ma find under Buddy’s Crib? (SD)

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Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 12)

• What does it mean to ban something? (PS)
• Who wanted to ban bolita? (PS)
• What was the trick that Dot played on Beans about? (PS)
• What was painted in pink all over the outhouses all around Key West? (PS)
• Who played a trick on Beans with Dot and what did they do? (PS)
• What was the reason the duel with Dot started?(JI)
• What did the duel with Dot start over? (SD)
• What was Key West’s best businesses? (SD)
• Why does Kingfish want to ban bolita? (AO)

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Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 13)

• What did Mr. Stone call a nuisance? (PS)
• Who did Beans feel he need to keep safe and why? (PS)
• What did Mr. Stone do with the children? (PS)
• What was the condition of the vacant lot or what Mr. Stone called the playground? (PS)
• What color was the New Dealers house painted?(JI)
• Why did Avery have his easel out? (SD)
• Did the kids like the playground? (AO)
• Did Beans become a protector? (AE)
• What prediction do you have for the next chapter (AE)

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Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 14)

• Why were all of the children in Key West balling their eyes out in September? (PS)
• What name did Mr. Stone keep calling Beans? (PS)
• What was Mr. Stone doing now that Beans thought to be strang? (PS)
• What was the school teachers name? (PS)
• What did Beans teacher catch Beans doing when she came back to the classroom? (PS)
• What was Beans punishment? (PS)
• What did some kids do to get out of going to school? (PS)
• What is wrong with Kermit? (PS)
• What do you think is going to happen next? (PS)
• On what street was the grammar school?(JI)
• Why do you think Mr. Stone had men put garbage cans all around Key West? (SD)
• What was on the wall in the schoolroom? (SD)
• Did Beans learn his lesson to stop stealing and cheating? (AO)

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Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 15)

• Why did Beans get his own room? (KE)
• How long would Kermit have to stay in bed for?(KE)
• Why does Beans want a toilet from the Sears, Roebuck catalog?(KE)
• What happened as soon as Beans got home from school? (PS)
• Who did Beans compare his math skills to and why? (PS)
• What did Beans do with the letter from Poppy that came for his mother? (PS)
• What could happen if the boy doesn't follow the doctor's instructions and doesn't stay in bed?(JI)
• Why was Beans able to handle Kermit? (SD)
• Why do you think the teacher ask about Kermit with sympathy? (SD)
• Has Beans been practicing arithmetic like Miss Sugarapple tells him? (AO)

Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 16)

• What was Beans mother so excited and then so sad about? (PS)
• What had Beans mothers tears let loose in him? (PS)
• How did Beans feel when Johnny Cakes asked him to pull more fire alarms? (PS)
• What did Beans ask Johnny Cakes for? (PS)
• How did Beans and Johnny Cakes test out their new plan for setting of more fire alarms? (PS)
• What did beans compare Johnny Cakes to? (KE)
• How did Beans get the fire alarm key? (PS)
• What did Johnny Cakes buy for Beans to make sure that his plan would work and why? (PS)
• What did Beans need that would help him wear what johnny cakes bought him?(KE)
• What did Beans do with what Johnny Cakes bought for him and why? (PS)
• What was on the dress that being held up?(JI)
• Why did Beans think he should start calling Too Bad ‘Too Easy’? (SD)
• Why was it easier for Beans to pull the fire alarms this time? (AO)

Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 17)

• What were all the children talking about at school? (PS)
• What was Too Bad wearing at school?(KE)
• Who is Cem and why was Cem so tired? (PS)
• What did Beans compare working with Johnny cakes to?(KE)
• What do you think will happen next? (PS)
• What did Beans lie about? (PS)
• How did Beans really feel about working for Johnny Cakes and why? (PS)
• What did Beans lie about to his mother about where he got the money? (PS)
• What else did Beans lie to his mother about? (PS)
• What movie was Beans watching late at night?
• Who was Beans following from the movie? (PS)
• Who told Beans the man with the gloves was a haint? (PS)
• Why did the man with the gloves come to the late shows and sit in the balcony? (PS)
• Who was the man that went to the late movie related to?(KE)
• How much did the boy hand his mother?(JI)
• Who asked, “Did you hear all the fire bells ringing?”(SD)
• What did Beans realize once he got home from the movies (SD)
• What was his mothers reaction to Beans giving her the money? (AO)

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Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 18)

• Who was Beans looking for in the lanes? (KE)
• Who was waiting for Beans at Nana Philly’s house? (PS)
• What happened to Nana Philly? (PS)
• Who took care of Nana Philly? (PS)
• What happened next? (PS)
• Whose house was on fire? (PS)
• Who did the firemen not answer the fire alarms? (PS)
• Where was everyone bringing their stuff to?(KE)
• Why did Beans wish he was dead? (PS)
• How was the cemetery transformed? (JI)
• What did Beans have up and down his arms? (SD)
• What did Beans smell when he went downstair onto the porch? (SD)
• Why did the firemen not believe Beans at first? (AO)

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Full of Beans H.O.T Questions

(Chapter 19)

• Who was not at school? (PS)
• What was a nuisance at night that everyone in Key West hated dealing with? (PS)
• What cause the fire at the Soldanos? (PS)
• What did Pork Chop tell Beans had melted in the fire? (PS)
• Where did Pork Chops family move after the fire? (PS)
• What did the town do for Pork Chops family? (PS)
• Why did Mrs.Soldanos’ bollos taste different?(KE)
• What happened with the Keepies when they were challenged by the Mighty Mibsters? (PS)
• What do you think happens next? (PS)
• What did Beans think was going to happen to him? (PS)
• Why did Beans excuse himself and go out behind the firehouse and throw up? (PS)
• Who started the fire according to Ira? (JI)
• What melted in the fire? (SD)
• How did Beans feel about the celebration at the fire station? (AO)

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Battle of the Books! Ch. 11-19

Find the answer and the page number to the question. Type it in the chatbox first. First person to respond and answer the question gets the point.The group with the most correct answers wins!

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• EXAMPLE>>>What is Mr. Edgits first name? (Chapter 1)
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References

“The Day a Killer Hurricane Wiped out Parts of the Florida Keys, and What Happened Next.” Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2020, www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article245376200.html.

“Great Depression and the New Deal.” Exploring Florida, 2002, fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/depress/depress1.htm.

Holm, Jennifer L. Turtle in Paradise. Random House, 2010.

Holm, Jennifer L. Full of Beans. Random House, 2014.

“U.S. Post Office Department (1792).” Living New Deal, 3 Mar. 2017, livingnewdeal.org/glossary/u-s-post-office-department-1792/.

http://www.dtdl.org/wp-content/uploads/turtleinparadise.pdf (Battle of the Books)

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