Full of Beans

Written by Jennifer L. Holm

Part of the Turtle in Paradise series

In 1934 Key West, a savvy boy's big plans during the Great Depression lead to unexpected consequences.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 3,606 ratings

224 pages· 27,290 words· Est. 4 hour read

$8.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In Depression-era Key West, Beans, a clever local boy, navigates a world of grown-up lies and scarce opportunities. With no jobs and little money, Beans devises a daring plan to change his fortunes. But as he and his gang of barefoot conchs embark on this adventure, the outcomes might surprise even him. Will Beans's schemes bring the success he dreams of, or will they lead to unforeseen challenges? Dive into this vibrant tale of resilience and discovery, where the stakes are high and the lessons are as rich as the Florida sun.

From the publisher

Winner of the Scott O’Dell Award Five Starred Reviews!A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, 2016 Grown-ups lie. That’s one truth Beans knows for sure. He and his gang know how to spot a whopper a mile away, because they are the savviest bunch of barefoot conchs (that means “locals”) in all of Key West. Not that Beans really minds; it’s 1934, the middle of the Great Depression. With no jobs on the island, and no money anywhere, who can really blame the grown-ups for telling a few tales? Besides, Beans isn’t anyone’s fool. In fact, he has plans. Big plans. And the consequences might surprise even Beans himself. Return to the wonderful world of Newbery Honor Book Turtle in Paradise through the eyes of Turtle’s cousin Beans! “A surprising coming-of-age story with a remarkably honest message.” –The New York Times “[Holm] captures this colorful slice of Depression history with her usual vivacious wit. . . . Children will love Beans.” –Shelf Awareness, Starred “A novel as entertaining as the motion pictures [Beans] loves to see.”–The Horn Book Magazine, Starred”Inspired by actual events, Holm’s talent for writing historical fiction is on full display. . . . Interesting family and small-town dynamics further enrich this fascinating account of a young boy’s life in Florida’s ‘Recovery Key.’” –Booklist, Starred “Filled with humor, heart, and warmth.” –Kirkus Review, Starred “Entertaining and illuminating historical fiction.” –Publishers Weekly, Starred