The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez

Twelve-year-old Nestor Lopez moves to a new town in Texas with his mother while his father serves in the military. As the latest in a string of moves, Nestor guards a secret magical ability that lets him communicate with animals. In his grandmother's rural community, Nestor encounters mysterious animal disappearances and strange happenings in the nearby forest. He forms an alliance with new friends and his animal contacts to investigate the unsettling events, even as he tries to keep his own powers hidden. The story combines Cuban-American family traditions, military family experiences, and supernatural elements as Nestor navigates both everyday challenges and extraordinary circumstances. Through his adventure, Nestor confronts themes of belonging, trust, and finding strength in one's identity.

Readers appreciate the blend of Cuban folklore with contemporary military family experiences. Many note the authentic portrayal of a child coping with frequent moves and a deployed parent. The magical elements and animal communication powers connect with middle-grade readers. Positive reviews highlight: - Fast-paced plot that keeps kids engaged - Strong family relationships and friend dynamics - Cultural representation and Spanish language integration - Mix of humor with serious themes Common criticisms: - Some find the magical elements predictable - A few note pacing issues in the middle section Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (230+ ratings) BookPage: 5/5 Reader quotes: "Perfect balance of real-life military kid struggles with fantasy elements" - Goodreads reviewer "My students could relate to Nestor's experiences as the new kid" - 5th grade teacher on Amazon "Would have liked more development of the supernatural aspects" - School Library Journal reader review

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🌟 Author Adrianna Cuevas drew from her own experiences as a Cuban-American and the child of a military family to create Nestor's story. 🌳 The shapeshifting witch (bruja) in the story is based on Latin American folklore about brujas who can transform into animals to spy on people. 📚 The book was selected as a 2021 Pura Belpré Honor Book, an award that celebrates Latino/Latina writers and illustrators whose work portrays the Latino cultural experience. 🐾 The author included numerous authentic Spanish words and phrases throughout the book without using italics, a deliberate choice to normalize bilingual dialogue. 🏆 The novel won the 2020 New Voices Award from The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the National Council of Teachers of English (ALAN).