Turtles of the Midnight Moon by Maria Jose Fitzgerald
Published by Knopf on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 0593488709
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

This mysterious, magical realistic story is told in the alternating viewpoints of Barana, a Honduran girl and Abby, an American whose father is from Barana’s village. When Abby’s father, a physician who helps scuba-divers avoid the bends, is asked to visit Pataya to train divers, he invites Abby to join him. Abby is a photographer and she jumps at the chance to visit her father’s homeland, although with a bit of anxiety. Barana is passionate about saving sea turtles and protecting their nests and is an accomplished artist and poet. When poachers start destroying nests, the girls must work together to solve the mystery and save the turtles. They are helped by a bit of magic – both girls discover a totem of a turtle under their pillows that gives them strength. The location and cuisine are beautifully described and the author includes information on sea turtle conservation. Even though readers will easily figure out who-done-it well before the end, this is a solid mystery with a touch of magical realism. 

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham