LitPick Review
Turtles of the Midnight Moon by Maria Jose Fitzgerald features the story of Barana and Abby, two friends united by their unadulterated love and admiration for nature.
Barana, an inhabitant of a small village in Honduras, has a rather unusual obsession with turtles. During the nesting season of the leatherback turtles, a group of notorious poachers begin to steal the eggs. The village is made aware of the situation, but nobody steps forward to resist the crime. Despite the dearth of support from the villagers and the involved danger, Barana decides to take the matter into her own hands for the sake of her beloved turtles. Backed by the magical connection with a special turtle and the unexpected friendship with Abby, a Honduran-American visitor who also happens to be an avid wildlife photographer, she dives into the case with the goal of bringing the reprobates to justice.
Opinion:
Amidst a sea of choices, the unique title and the gorgeous cover can, without a doubt, make the book standout from the rest. The start-off is intriguing, and therefore, once picked, the book is capable of keeping the readers glued right from the beginning. The excellent style of narration can offer a glimpse of what life is like in a seaside village of Honduras. Several aspects of Honduran culture has been portrayed in a wonderful manner in here. Another amazing thing about the book is that it can allow the readers to become aware of certain stereotypes and problematic attitudes, and check for themselves whether they are infected with any. Besides, the author has done a marvelous job with the switching of perspectives, and it has, in no place, appeared to be preposterous. Moreover, the book adeptly sheds light on the significance of love, compassion, forgiveness, and other essential human qualities. At last but not the least, it can foster awareness concerning the environment in the minds of both juvenile and mature readers.
Although the use of Spanish added both beauty and a sense of authenticity to the book, I feel that it would be beneficial for some readers if the author finds a way to incorporate the translation of the sentences written in the said language. However, I would like to add that the presence of Spanish in the book is rather unlikely to affect comprehension to a considerable extent.
Highly recommended for readers looking for a unique and brilliantly-crafted work.
