Full of Beans

Return to the wonderful world of Newbery Honor Book Turtle in Paradise through the eyes of Turtle’s cousin Beans!

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.

"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

"Multifaceted supporting characters . . . are all seen through Bean’s refreshingly honest eyes and create a novel as entertaining as the motion pictures he 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; readers can only hope to hear more about the Curry clan." —Kirkus Review, Starred

"Entertaining and illuminating historical fiction." —Publishers Weekly, Starred