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The Problem with Paradise
Nobody gets why Casey's upset. She's just been informed that she's spending the ENTIRE summer on some deserted tropical island with her father, his new wife, and her two brothers. Her father will study the endangered sea turtle, her brothers will drive her crazy, and Casey's sure she will die of boredom while dreaming of all the fun she could have been having with her friends back home.
But Tartuga turns out to have its charms--particularly a cute boy Casey's age named Jonah. And spending so much time away from cell phones and emails give Casey the unexpected chance to listen to herself. But when a tropical storm bears down in Tartuga and Casey's father can't make it back in time, will Casey be able to pull it together and save Paradise for all of them?
From the Hardcover edition.
But Tartuga turns out to have its charms--particularly a cute boy Casey's age named Jonah. And spending so much time away from cell phones and emails give Casey the unexpected chance to listen to herself. But when a tropical storm bears down in Tartuga and Casey's father can't make it back in time, will Casey be able to pull it together and save Paradise for all of them?
From the Hardcover edition.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published November 14, 2006
11 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 1, 2017
I liked the book, it was fun to read. With all the twist and surprises throughout the story, really kept me guessing. Also while I was reading the book I never really got to bored of the story, which is always a good thing. Overall I think that the book was very fun to read and I liked the book.
January 24, 2012
So this book was ok.....but i honestly think that towards the end they should` ve sent her back home and seen what it was exactly what Matt wrote in the letter, and see if she told anyone about her summer. So the end was definitely disappointing and i also think that they should`ve made Casey's character more mature and older.
May 23, 2017
Keep in mind that the expected audience is younger, maybe middle school, but I still expected more. The main plot twist didn't come until the end and was immediately resolved. I also didn't agree with Casey's decisions involving Jonah considering Matt was waiting back home for her. I also wish they had continued the story to the point that she gets home and reunites with her friends and mom.
January 9, 2013
I absolutely loved this book. Its about a girl, Casey, and she is going to her fathers carribiean with her brothers PJ and Mike and is there for the whole summer! she runs into a boy and some other things that are quite troubling. to find out the rest, READ IT!
February 6, 2019
A coming of age story set on a tropical island. 15 year old Casey leaves her boyfriend back home to to spend the summer with her father and his new wife in Tartuga. The father is working with endangered sea turtles. She meets up with a handsome boy and keeps her brothers in line all while sending letters back home (remember when we used snail mail back in the day when we went off to summer camp or spent a week with our grandparents?). There's budding romance, envy of the new woman in her father's life, and some island intrigue. Not to mention the threat of an oncoming tropical storm.
A good middle grade fiction novel, and a page-turner!
A good middle grade fiction novel, and a page-turner!
October 2, 2017
I thought my book was good it had some mystery and action in it.
July 9, 2022
This was my favourite book as a young teen! I lost it so long ago and then my reading of books declined. I want to read it somewhere again to experience those same memories.
March 19, 2017
Amazing best book ever
January 8, 2017
The Problem With Paradise is a miniature vacation packed away into a novel. As Lesley Dahl’s first and only novel, she did a wonderful job showing her realistic and intriguing side as an author. She presents an eighth grade girl who goes on vacation to paradise at her father's house, falls in love there, and does not want to return home in the end. The plot is relatively simple for a novel. I first knew this was the book that I wanted to read after skimming the back. But to be honest, I pulled it off of the shelf because of the vibrant colors on the cover.
A theme that was presented throughout the novel is, “you never know what to expect.” This theme suits the book well because Casey, the main character, first finds herself begging her mother not to force her to go visit her father on the island he lives on. However, after spending time in “paradise” she unexpectedly finds situations where she must learn more about herself and uncover the truth about others. She also reveals the real problem with paradise and meets new friends along the way. To summarise, this novel not only teaches the characters about themselves but also the reader.
Although the novel portrayed an exciting theme, there were some negative aspects presented. For example, I found myself surprised by only one twist that the novel took. Other than that, I found the book to be quite predictable with few moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. Additionally, the lack of strong vocabulary words helped me to come to the conclusion that this novel is meant for mostly preteens. On the other hand, Dahl finished the novel with a rather satisfying conclusion.
I would recommend this novel for ages 12-15. I find that older minds would not likely be impressed by the vocabulary Dahl presents throughout the book and the lack of an adventurous plot. Also, I find that preteen girls can easily relate to the main character and what she is going through. Lastly, I suggest this novel to romance and tropical setting lovers. However, I warn any boys who come across this book because it is rather girly. In the end, the novel teaches the reader about family, relationships, and hope.
A theme that was presented throughout the novel is, “you never know what to expect.” This theme suits the book well because Casey, the main character, first finds herself begging her mother not to force her to go visit her father on the island he lives on. However, after spending time in “paradise” she unexpectedly finds situations where she must learn more about herself and uncover the truth about others. She also reveals the real problem with paradise and meets new friends along the way. To summarise, this novel not only teaches the characters about themselves but also the reader.
Although the novel portrayed an exciting theme, there were some negative aspects presented. For example, I found myself surprised by only one twist that the novel took. Other than that, I found the book to be quite predictable with few moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. Additionally, the lack of strong vocabulary words helped me to come to the conclusion that this novel is meant for mostly preteens. On the other hand, Dahl finished the novel with a rather satisfying conclusion.
I would recommend this novel for ages 12-15. I find that older minds would not likely be impressed by the vocabulary Dahl presents throughout the book and the lack of an adventurous plot. Also, I find that preteen girls can easily relate to the main character and what she is going through. Lastly, I suggest this novel to romance and tropical setting lovers. However, I warn any boys who come across this book because it is rather girly. In the end, the novel teaches the reader about family, relationships, and hope.
May 27, 2013
This book was amazing! I loved reading it. Its that teen summer drama that any girl would love to read. Filled with romance, tanning, beach boys and turtles, this book was a fantastic read. I would definitely recommend it to all the teenage girls and young adults! If you love romance, a little bit of boy trouble, turtles and pretty islands, you are sure to love this book.
The book is about a girl who is leaving her home in California to spend the whole summer with her dad and step mom on Ginger island. At first, she doesn't want to leave her boyfriend Matt and the girl who always flirts with him, Patty Harper. But she has no choice. Being forced to go, her two brothers PJ and Mike go along with her. There, she meets Anderson, who later is found out to be deceiving and Jonah, her summer romance. Sheryl, her stepmom, teaches her how to sail on their family boat Bob. Her brothers and her discover all the islands and go snorkeling and tanning all throughout the summer. She needed to write letters to her friends back home, but who has time for that when she's having the time of her life? With her perfect tan and toned muscles from hiking, she meets Jonah who is a couple years older than her. They have a special connection that lasts them the whole summer. The catch? They both aren't single, both of them having a lover who's on vacation during the whole summer.
Adventure after adventure occurs in the innovative novel, especially when hurricane Cindy comes along and destroys most things on Ginger island and Tartuga. Its up to her to protect her brothers and Jonah's cousins while her dad and stepmom are on Tartuga, protecting the turtles.
Excitement, hurt and anger is felt throughout the book. You won't get bored while reading this book, I can tell you that!
The book is about a girl who is leaving her home in California to spend the whole summer with her dad and step mom on Ginger island. At first, she doesn't want to leave her boyfriend Matt and the girl who always flirts with him, Patty Harper. But she has no choice. Being forced to go, her two brothers PJ and Mike go along with her. There, she meets Anderson, who later is found out to be deceiving and Jonah, her summer romance. Sheryl, her stepmom, teaches her how to sail on their family boat Bob. Her brothers and her discover all the islands and go snorkeling and tanning all throughout the summer. She needed to write letters to her friends back home, but who has time for that when she's having the time of her life? With her perfect tan and toned muscles from hiking, she meets Jonah who is a couple years older than her. They have a special connection that lasts them the whole summer. The catch? They both aren't single, both of them having a lover who's on vacation during the whole summer.
Adventure after adventure occurs in the innovative novel, especially when hurricane Cindy comes along and destroys most things on Ginger island and Tartuga. Its up to her to protect her brothers and Jonah's cousins while her dad and stepmom are on Tartuga, protecting the turtles.
Excitement, hurt and anger is felt throughout the book. You won't get bored while reading this book, I can tell you that!
September 4, 2009
If you could spend your whole summer on a private tropical island you'd be thrilled right? Not if your 15yrld Casey, and you'll be stuck with your new stepmother, two little brothers, no cell phone, no internet, no best friend and no boyfriend. As she heads to Tartuga, Casey dreads the months ahead, away from her friends, her life. Tartuga provides plenty of surprises however, and Casey discovers the beauty in slowing down, a new world, a new boy, and a bit about herself.
Dahl manages to create characters who are both likable and realistic. Casey's voice rings true as she exhibits the complexity of female adolescence, with the remarkable maturity and grace of an mother-hen older sister, the sweet innocence of insecure discovery, and the knowing desire of a young woman.
The Problem with Paradise appeals to a wide audience of preteens, teens and adults, and offers a well timed escape, whether you think you need it or not.
Highly recommended, grades 6-12
September 18, 2012
Casey is a girl from California who is going to the Caribbean for the summer and thinks her summer is ruined. But she is just taking another adventure. Casey has the perfect life at home. Good friends, all As, and her boyfriend, Matt. But her mother sends her and her brothers, Mike and PJ to the Caribbeans to see there father and his wife, Sheryl.
Casey is bummed that she has to go and wrights up a list of mental complaints. But upon arrival she is taken on an all new adventure. My favorite part is when she is packing for the trip and her mother is telling her exactly what to pack.
Will Casey's summer go great or will something ruin it ...
Casey is bummed that she has to go and wrights up a list of mental complaints. But upon arrival she is taken on an all new adventure. My favorite part is when she is packing for the trip and her mother is telling her exactly what to pack.
Will Casey's summer go great or will something ruin it ...
November 15, 2014
I’d forgotten what a fun read a book can be—no heavy themes or symbolism (okay, symbolettes: turtles, island, cellphones [none], boats). The action moves so smoothly from one incident to the next. Reader wants to know how this young woman Casey is going to cope. And I love the information about sea life (preserving it), sailing, and tropical storms. All contribute to the novel’s own complexity. Love how the character grows naturally through situations to respect and like her stepmother, her father, her brother—to step outside herself to consider “liking” someone other than her current boyfriend. You feel Casey will function differently when she returns to California.
September 12, 2015
The Problem with Paradise is a great book! I loved reading about how Casey didn't want to go to a tiny island with just her brothers and dad for the summer. She thinks its gonna be horrible but she turns out loving it and many crazy things happen along the way. I would encourage you to read this book because the romance and setting of this book is amazing! Lesley Dahl wrote an amazing book and I loved it!
September 13, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I'm sure if you like romance and mystery, you will like this book also. There was always that grabs your attention throughout the book and makes you want to keep reading more. Casey thinks that spending the summer with father on an island is going to be horrible, but after a while she enjoys herself and meets new people. But, there may be a problem. I will definitely liked the way Lesley Dahl wrote this book.
March 26, 2008
this is a perfect book for teenagers. it contains lots of good vocabulary and is super interesting.
it talks about endangered turtles while expressing the feelings of an ordinary teenage girl. sometimes i feel that the writer is me as i have similar feelings.
i truly recommend this book to all teeenage GIRLS. don't read it if you're a boy, it's not for you, you won't enjoy it.
it talks about endangered turtles while expressing the feelings of an ordinary teenage girl. sometimes i feel that the writer is me as i have similar feelings.
i truly recommend this book to all teeenage GIRLS. don't read it if you're a boy, it's not for you, you won't enjoy it.
September 16, 2010
This book had a great combination of romance and lessons. You gain such a trust and good feeling with Jonah but then you realize that he may not be who Casey thinks he is. I knew what kind of person he was right from the start and was glad he was who I thought he was.
May 3, 2007
would be a great summer read...especially if you are at the beach!
August 22, 2008
good but not great. thats all i am saying
March 11, 2010
One of my favorite books [I recomend this to girls it is really good!:]
September 27, 2010
I actually really liked this book. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it explains how to sail and stuff like that. That really didn't interest me.
February 9, 2011
Is therte a second one?
August 19, 2011
It's like every other book out there. Predictable, but I like these kinds of books
March 26, 2012
best book in the world !!!
March 6, 2013
Great for a summer beach read! It made me want to learn how to sail!
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May 28, 2013Gctrvvrcqbwngwnywas when
October 13, 2013
Tomeia thinks its a great book.It teaches you to go out and have more fun with family. It also tells me to go out and visit the world.
March 24, 2014
this was a very good book. i really liked it. its hard for me to find a good book, because i dont read alot. but i liked it.
February 23, 2015
Fun! Spot on teen drama, great setting
February 11, 2015
This book was really juvenile for YA. The character was supposed to be 16 but she acted 12. Interesting plot idea, but it wasn't executed well. I'm sure younger readers might love it, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews