From the Publisher
2021 Pura Belpré Honor Book
NYPL Best Book of 2020
2020 Evanston Public Library Great Books for Kids
A Sunshine State Young Readers Award Book
"A charming and vibrant debut fantasy." —Kirkus Reviews
"Readers will devour this fast-paced adventure as they root for Nestor and his ragtag bunch of friends and animal allies . . . In a unique take on South and Central American folklore, Cuevas brings to life an earthly type of twisted magic that transcends spells and transfiguration, extending into the feelings of belonging and finding a true home." —Booklist
"With this heartwarming debut, Cuevas draws upon Central American legends and her Cuban heritage to flesh out Nestor’s experiences . . . crafting a tense, satisfying tale of magic, family, and finding one’s true home." —Publisher's Weekly
"Cuevas crafts a riveting story based on folktales from Panama and Costa Rica." —School Library Journal
"A marvelous, magical mystery that deftly blends family, friends and folklore." —David Bowles, author of Pura Belpré Honor Book and Walter Dean Myers Honor Book They Call Me Güero and Pura Belpré Honor Book The Smoking Mirror
"Mystery, adventure, humor, friendship, and...talking animals—The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez has it all! Readers will love this funny, fast-paced, heartwarming story." —Celia C. Pérez, author of the Pura Belpre Honor book The First Rule of Punk and Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers
JUNE 2020 - AudioFile
Anthony Rey Perez narrates this story of a Cuban-American boy who has a secret ability to communicate with animals. When sixth-grader Nestor moves in with his abuela while his father is deployed in Afghanistan, he discovers there is something creepy lurking in her woods. As Nestor and his new friends investigate, they discover that an evil shape-shifting witch has been abducting animals and that Nestor’s abuela is somehow involved. The mystery comes to a climax during a solar eclipse, when Nestor uses his powers to save the animals and his friends. Perez’s fast-paced narration and distinct voices for each animal—from a sinister snake to an obnoxious bird—enliven this vibrant audiobook based on Panamanian and Costa Rican folklore. S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2020-04-08
A Cuban American boy who can speak to animals moves to a new town where he faces off against a dangerous witch with a nefarious plan.
Twelve-year-old Nestor Lopez has moved five times in the past few years while his military dad is deployed (now in Afghanistan). When Nestor and his mother move in with his abuela in New Haven, Texas, his plan is the same as always when getting to a new place: unpack just the essentials, avoid making friendships he can’t sustain, and keep his ability to talk to animals a secret. But the plan takes a turn when Nestor becomes friends with schoolmates Maria Carmen and Talib just as his abuela falls under suspicion for the mysterious animal disappearances in the woods. Nestor needs to use his powers—with a little help from his animal and human friends—so he can prove his grandmother’s innocence and defeat the real culprit, a mythical tule vieja who steals powers from animals. Debut author Cuevas reinterprets the tule vieja legend from Panama and Costa Rica to tell a story about a boy who deeply feels the burden of being “man of the house.” The importance of community and working together are deftly explored alongside Nestor’s longing for a more stable life, preferably with his dad by his side. Maria Carmen is Latinx; Talib’s name suggests Middle Eastern heritage.
A charming and vibrant debut fantasy. (author’s note) (Fantasy. 8-12)
