So much to love about this beautiful book! The pacing, setting, and characters are so well calibrated that it's easy to not notice how much is being learned. Spanish words and phrases are integrated seamlessly in a way that teaches. Environmental lessons are woven into the plot, as well as conservation/preservation themes. Told in two alternating and equally likeable voices, this is a friendship story with a touch of magic, but so much more. Will make a wonderful classroom book.

An eco-mystery told between two girls set in Honduras and starring turtles? I was in from the cover and title but reading the blurb sold me. I had to read this. I don't care that I'm an adult and this is set for middle grade. And I'm so glad I read it.

It's such a beautiful story about growing up, friends and family. I loved how the passion of the two characters, Abby and Barana, were on different things but brought them together. They were able to put their passions to good use and do a wonderful thing for this small coastal town and for sea turtles.

I had thought I knew who gave the girls their individual totems which were a magical delight, but we never get an answer. And I think it made the tale more magical. Perhaps some ancient turtle God or Goddess sent it to them to set them forth on this path.

I'd really like to see this book in as many hands as possible. I think it's such an important story for our younger generations to read. Or anyone really.

It's such a beautiful story. And the ending? No lie, it gave me goosebumps.

Barana has always had a special bond with a particular leatherback sea turtle: she and Luna share the same moon-shaped scar. B will stop at nothing to ensure Luna's eggs are safe to hatch, but turtle eggs are a hot commodity, and standing up to poachers is risky even for adults. Barana's plan to patrol the beach to help hide turtle eggs is thwarted by the gringa daughter of an American docctor who Barana has to entertain during her vacation. Abby, on the other hand, is stressed because she wants to be a wildlife photographer, but her art teacher is disappointed that she never takes risks with her camera. Abby is about to take the biggest risk ever when she agrees to team up with Barana to protect the sea turtles.

This story has a lot of beautiful elements. The beaches and town of Pataya are vividly described, and the situation is laid out clearly in a way that reminds us that if no one takes the time to care, it's not just turtles who are at risk of extinction. I was frustrated by the pacing of this story, however. While the characters have clear goals, in Barana's case, her quest seems impossible. In Abby's, it's all too easy. I found it hard to read long stretches of this book in one sitting because the writing didn't inspire me to care about the characters and their mundane daily wandering. The fact that the two point of view characters don't even meet until halfway through the book made it even harder to get on board with the whole "I expect to hate this kid" business that the beginning is trying to establish--yet another "conflict" that goes nowhere. While I can appreciate the research and the heartbreak that went into this book, I didn't find the characters compelling or the plot interesting enough.

This story is so much more than a mystery of who the poachers are, but a beautiful story of a growing friendship and the closeness of a community. It is also eco-minded in drawing us in on the plight of the sea turtle. Most fo the Spanish conversation could be understood but I would have liked less of it. I is a wonderful presentation of life in Honduras probably not found in children's literature. The alternate POV allows us to know both girls intimately.

I really tried to like this book. But I honestly just couldn't get into it. The writing style was just not my favorite and I couldn't get into the story.

4.5 stars. for this middle-grade eco-mystery with magical elements set in Honduras. It is a beautifully written and wholesome story of friendship, community, ecology, and a touch of betrayal.

With the dual POV's, you really got to learn about Barana and Abby, to connect with them, and to feel like you're in the story with them. Then the Spanish beautifully woven in gave this story a more authentic feel.

Speaking of the Spanish though, as someone who unfortunately doesn't speak the language, there were a few times where I would have liked to have the context clues for what was being said sooner, like when the dialogue took up a decent chunk of space, because otherwise it stopped the flow of the story.

My only other criticism is that I personally don't think the magical elements were needed. Were they nice? Yes. I just don't think they were necessary. [I'd explain further, but I try to avoid spoilers.]

All in all, this is a wonderful book and I can't wait to buy the physical copy for my collection.

Turtles of the Midnight Moon was an enjoyable, well written book. I liked it much more than I expected to. Written in dual points of view of two girls, it takes place in Honduras and the author does a wonderful job of making the reader feel a part of the setting. Abby lives in the US and goes to Honduras with her father and she likes photography. Barana lives in Honduras and is determined to save the sea turtles' eggs. The girls work together to find the people who are poaching the turtle eggs. This is a beautiful book for both middle school age and adults!

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Except Fajardo Miss Quinces where the main character visits Honduras, and Cervantes Gaby, Lost and Found where the mother is deported back to that country, I can't think of other middle grade books where there is Honduran representation, so that was good to see.

It was also good to see more ecofiction like Dimopoulos' Turn the Tide or Dee's Haven Jacob's Saves the Planet. Myracle's 2010 Thirteen Plus One is the only book I can think of that discusses sea turtles, although there are a few about marsh turtles.

The mix of realism and magic was different.

This was an exciting story of friendship, activism, and family. The story alternated between Barana, a girl from Honduras, and Abby, a girl visiting Honduras from New Jersey. A mystery ensues when poachers steal eggs from sea turtle nests on the local beach. Barana and Abby get involved in sneaking around hiding their involvement from their parents due to the danger and threats made by the poachers. My students will love following the storyline, seeing the things each girl learns about herself, and learning about sea turtle conservation.

Turtles of the Midnight Moon is a beautifully written, mysterious story told in dual points of view by Barana and Abby, two girls from very different backgrounds. Barana is from Honduras, and much of the book takes place in this exquisitely described setting. Abby lives in the U.S. and accompanies her physician father along on a trip there as he seeks to assist divers in safer practices. Abby has a strong interest and talent for photography, and Barana is passionate about saving her beloved sea turtle's eggs from poachers. The girls' different personalities and interests complement one another as they team up to solve the mystery of who is stealing the eggs. This book is filled with lovely description, well-drawn characters, and it leads to a heart-pounding conclusion. It has wonderful themes of ecology and friendship, and I highly recommend it.

This was a beautiful story of family and friendship. I loved the Honduran representation, an underrepresented part of children’s books. The ecological themes were excellent as well. Overall, it was the lyrical writing and moving story that made me love this book.

This was such a sweet sapphic middle-grade story that combined elements of environmentalist activism! I loved this and I wish I heard more people talking about this! Definitely pick this one up if you're looking for a new middle-grade book!

Heartfelt and inspiring, Turtles of the Midnight Moon is an eco-mystery, told from the dual POV’s of Barana and Abby.

Abby is a budding photographer who goes along with her father on his work trip to Honduras. There, she meets Barnana, a young girl with a magical connection to sea turtles. Together they decide to solve the mystery of who is poaching sea turtle nests from the beach.

Maria José Fitzgerald’s beautifully descriptive writing makes you feel like you’re right there in the middle of a storm in Honduras or walking among the extraordinary wildlife. It definitely made me want to visit Honduras. Barana and Abby are wonderful characters and I loved that the book was told from a dual POV, as both voices were completely unique and brought something special to the story. This is a book that’s going to be adored by so many children, especially wildlife lovers and environmentalists!

This book was magical! Adult me loved it and I know younger me would have loved it even more. The story follows two girls, Barana, who lives in Honduras and Abby who visits with her father from the states.

Barana cares deeply for the sea turtles and tries to protect their nests when they come ashore to lay eggs. When poachers threaten the community, her conservation efforts are put at risk.

Thankfully Abby is there on a trip with her father, who shows the locals how to dive for lobsters safely so they don’t get the bends from coming up to the surface too quickly. Abby and Barana team up to save the sea turtles, relying on a little bit of magic to help them along the way.

The cover art for this book is STUNNING. I would grab this off a shelf immediately. I love the magical realism elements as well as the themes of family, conservation, friendship, navigating loss of friendship, and finding one’s identity. It’s a beautiful story of coming into your own and caring about the world around you.

Great job to the author, I would have loved reading this as a Latina girl and felt so “seen”.

I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review

I loved this book! I loved the friendship between Barana & Abby. I loved how they worked so hard to save the turtles. I really liked they both had hobbies they were passionate about.
I liked their families and I really liked the setting/ town of Pataya.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

A very lovely book with wonderful messages of teamwork, friendship, and conservation.
Definitely one I will encourage my daughter to read when she’s a bit older!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

OH MY GOD
i read an arc of this and i haven't read any middle grade books in a while because big mean classics girlie persona took over
But this was such a good read
I mean it had TURTLES, FRIENDSHIP AND MAGIC of sorts.
it just felt so wholesome through out, abby and barana are absolute babies who deserve the entire world and more, they're so cool and brave i could only hope to be like them, old hag that i am :(.
I recommend this for anyone who can read really, it's so friendly and feels like a hug<3