The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas

 

Yesterday, I finished reading The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas. This fantasy novel is about Nestor Lopez, a sixth grade boy who has the ability to speak to animals. When Nestor and his mom move to New Haven, Texas, to live with his abuela while his dad is deployed in Afghanistan, he has no desire to unpack or make new friends, thinking that they'll be leaving again within a few months. Soon, though, he is invited to join the trivia club at school and learns from two of his classmates, Talib and Maria Carmen, that animals are disappearing in New Haven. With his ability, Nestor begins investigating the woods on his way to and from school and hears rumors that his grandmother is a type of witch known as a tule vieja who plans to bite one of the kidnapped animals during a solar eclipse in order to gain its powers. With a total solar eclipse rapidly approaching, Nestor and his new friends (both human and animal) must discover who the tule vieja really is and stop her from gaining more power.

I knew I would enjoy this book from the very first chapter because I thought Nestor's initial interactions with a raven that he later named Cuervito were absolutely hilarious. I also laughed at the many things that Nestor learned from animals by being able to talk to them. It was just so delightful. I also liked how Nestor trusted Talib and Maria Carmen with his secret even though he was reluctant at first to make any friends at all. Although I didn't move around as a kid as much as Nestor, I could understand why the possibility of making New Haven a home was so difficult for him. I also felt bad for him because he had to deal with the fear of losing his dad who was in Afghanistan as a member of the U.S. Army. Nestor's friendships and his relationship with his abuela are at the heart of this novel, though, and I liked how a few characters weren't who they seemed at first. I was definitely drawn in by the mystery of the tule vieja's identity and the climax of the story when Nestor and his friends face the tule vieja for the last time was thrilling. I would recommend The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez to all fantasy and animal fans.