Turtle in Paradise

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm is about eleven-year-old Turtle, Turtle's mama, Turtle's aunt, and Turtle's cousin. Turtle and her mother live alone and they are trying to make ends meet during the economically difficult time of the
1930s. The Depression is widespread and good jobs are hard to come by. So when Turtle's mother, Sadiebelle, gets a job cleaning for a rich lady who doesn't like kids, she sends Turtle to stay with her aunt and cousins in Key West, Florida.

At first, Turtle doesn't like Key West. She doesn't like the heat and humidity. Her cousins are rough and tumble boys who refuse to let her take part in the Diaper Gang, a babysitting service that her cousins do for money. Her Aunt Minnie takes away her paper dolls after telling her that her Mama stole them from her so they were never her Mama's dolls to begin with. Her grandmother won't talk to her and her Aunt Minnie wants to get rid of her cat because her cat made a mess in her aunt's laundry.

But everything changes when Turtle and her cousins find buried treasure - a pile of gold coins. She and her cousins are rich. At last her Mama's boyfriend, Archie, is going to marry her Mama and the three of them will have a happy Hollywood ending. Or will they? A surprising twist ends this tale.

Emily and Einstein

What if you were a selfish manipulative jerk who died suddenly in a car accident? And when you met the angel of death realized that you weren't going to your heavenly reward? This is what happens to Sandy Portman. He begs for another chance and then ...

"Hello?" I called out, hoping the old man was nearby and could hop to and answer some questions. "Anyone there?"
A strangled series of barks echoed against the walls beyond the cage.
Panic ripped through me and I tried to sit up. But I couldn't move. I had no strength.
I groaned, which brought back the low howling sound. Was there a dog close by?
"Hello!"
The howl yelped into the space and I went very still, realizing that the sound was vibrating in my chest.
Panic surged, blood pumping through me, bringing adrenaline with it, and I was able to raise my head. That's when I saw the paws. White fur-covered paws attached to furry legs, traveling right up to the general vicinity of where I looked out.
(page 26, Emily and Einstein, Linda Francis Lee).

Yes, Sandy has turned into a dog. And not just any dog. He's a mangy stray. And he gets adopted by the wife he was unfaithful to.

This is a great story, fun, sweet, a little bit sad, sentimental, but not overly so. I highly recommend it!