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The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez
All Nestor Lopez wants is to live in one place for more than a few months and have dinner with his dad.
When he and his mother move to a Texas to live with his grandmother after his dad's latest deployment, Nestor plans to lay low. He definitely doesn't want anyone to find out his deepest secret: that he can talk to animals.
But when the animals in his new town start disappearing, Nestor's grandmother becomes the prime suspect after she is spotted in the woods where they were last seen. As Nestor investigates the source of the disappearances, he learns that they are being seized by a tule vieja -- a witch who can absorb an animal's powers by biting it during a solar eclipse. And the next eclipse is just around the corner...
Now it's up to Nestor's extraordinary ability and his new friends to catch the tule vieja -- and save a place he just might call home.
When he and his mother move to a Texas to live with his grandmother after his dad's latest deployment, Nestor plans to lay low. He definitely doesn't want anyone to find out his deepest secret: that he can talk to animals.
But when the animals in his new town start disappearing, Nestor's grandmother becomes the prime suspect after she is spotted in the woods where they were last seen. As Nestor investigates the source of the disappearances, he learns that they are being seized by a tule vieja -- a witch who can absorb an animal's powers by biting it during a solar eclipse. And the next eclipse is just around the corner...
Now it's up to Nestor's extraordinary ability and his new friends to catch the tule vieja -- and save a place he just might call home.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published July 21, 2020
107 people are currently reading
1934 people want to read
About the author
Adrianna Cuevas
9 books135 followersAdrianna Cuevas is a first-generation Cuban-American originally from Miami, Florida. A Spanish, ESOL and TOEFL teacher, Adrianna currently resides in Austin, Texas with her husband and son. When not working with TOEFL students, wrangling multiple pets including an axolotl, and practicing fencing with her son, she is writing her next middle grade novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 329 reviews
September 16, 2019
This is my mom’s book. I think she did a good job.
March 14, 2021
Overall, this was a good story. 3.5 stars.
The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez focuses on a young boy named Nestor who ends up moving with his mother to live with his grandmother after his father is deployed. While there Nestor and the community notice that animals start to go missing. His grandmother is being accused of making the animals disappear so he works with his friends to figure out the true culprit. One of the most interesting aspects of this book is that Nestor can talk to animals. At first I thought it was going to give me Dr. Dolittle vibes, but it definitely didn't. I thought it was a cool element to add to the book; however, Cuevas should have spent a little more time exploring where Nestor gets his abilities from. It is connected to family; however, there isn't a true explanation for the magic system so that leaves readers a little in the dark. I absolutely loved that this book partly focused on the relationship between a young main character and a parent that's deployed. I'm not sure that I've read many children's or middle grade books that center the narrative around a military family. The absence of Nestor's father is definitely a big part of the book, but I truly enjoyed seeing the fun and amazing relationship that the two had with each other.
This book has a strong foundation in Costa Rican and Panamanian myth and folklore which I ABSOLUTELY LOVED because I've never read a book that covered it; however, once again I wish that Cuevas would have spent a little more time exploring it and incorporating it more into the story. There is a great relationship between Nestor and his grandmother who was sent to America via Operation Peter Pan which was responsible for sending thousands of Cuban minors to the US after the rise of Fidel Castro. This is definitely a little chunk of history that is often discussed so I was glad that Cuevas alluded to it within the text. Nestor also had a strong support system within his friends who would eventually become aware of his abilities.
Overall, I thought that it was a solid read. The magic incorporated with the real life events made it an interesting read. I just feel as though there were certain elements that Cuevas could have explored in a little more detail in order to make the book more dynamic and interesting.
The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez focuses on a young boy named Nestor who ends up moving with his mother to live with his grandmother after his father is deployed. While there Nestor and the community notice that animals start to go missing. His grandmother is being accused of making the animals disappear so he works with his friends to figure out the true culprit. One of the most interesting aspects of this book is that Nestor can talk to animals. At first I thought it was going to give me Dr. Dolittle vibes, but it definitely didn't. I thought it was a cool element to add to the book; however, Cuevas should have spent a little more time exploring where Nestor gets his abilities from. It is connected to family; however, there isn't a true explanation for the magic system so that leaves readers a little in the dark. I absolutely loved that this book partly focused on the relationship between a young main character and a parent that's deployed. I'm not sure that I've read many children's or middle grade books that center the narrative around a military family. The absence of Nestor's father is definitely a big part of the book, but I truly enjoyed seeing the fun and amazing relationship that the two had with each other.
This book has a strong foundation in Costa Rican and Panamanian myth and folklore which I ABSOLUTELY LOVED because I've never read a book that covered it; however, once again I wish that Cuevas would have spent a little more time exploring it and incorporating it more into the story. There is a great relationship between Nestor and his grandmother who was sent to America via Operation Peter Pan which was responsible for sending thousands of Cuban minors to the US after the rise of Fidel Castro. This is definitely a little chunk of history that is often discussed so I was glad that Cuevas alluded to it within the text. Nestor also had a strong support system within his friends who would eventually become aware of his abilities.
Overall, I thought that it was a solid read. The magic incorporated with the real life events made it an interesting read. I just feel as though there were certain elements that Cuevas could have explored in a little more detail in order to make the book more dynamic and interesting.
April 27, 2020
When I was a kid, I was obsessed with stories about kids that could talk to animals. Books, movies, TV shows - I devoured them all. (And ok, I still do. 😂) So honestly, my expectations for this book were set *very* high, which is pretty much a surefire way of getting disappointed.
But oh my gosh I am OBSESSED. This book was everything I wanted it to be and more!! Tween Andrea would have absolutely had this book in her top 10 of all time and adult Andrea will 100% be purchasing a print copy and recommending to ALL KIDS.
I mean, this book has:
✔️ Latinx Rep (with accurate Spanish!)
✔️ Sweet Friendships / Sweet Families
✔️ A++ Animal Chats
✔️ Best Animal Trivia Ever
✔️ A Scary Antagonist
Seriously. What a debut!
But oh my gosh I am OBSESSED. This book was everything I wanted it to be and more!! Tween Andrea would have absolutely had this book in her top 10 of all time and adult Andrea will 100% be purchasing a print copy and recommending to ALL KIDS.
I mean, this book has:
✔️ Latinx Rep (with accurate Spanish!)
✔️ Sweet Friendships / Sweet Families
✔️ A++ Animal Chats
✔️ Best Animal Trivia Ever
✔️ A Scary Antagonist
Seriously. What a debut!
November 6, 2020
If you love the idea of a Latine boy who can speak to animals, has plenty of animal trivia, solves a mystery of missing animals that he's just moved into, is a little spooky but is also a heartwarming story about friendship? Then maybe you'll love The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez.
- Follows Nestor, a Latine boy who moves around a lot because his dad's in the army - and can speak to animals! When he and his mother settle in a small town with his abuela, Nestor is pulled into a mystery: all the animals in the town are going missing. When his abuela gets implicated in the mystery, Nestor and his two new friends takes things into his own hands - but they may have signed up for something much bigger than them.
- I liked this! I think this is such a great story for younger readers. It's simple, fun, and has plenty of fun animal facts (Nestor is in the trivia club).
- Though the story itself is simple, the story also explores some complicated topics - like what it's like to be the son of someone in the army (and I feel like the story leans into the complexity of having a parent in a military career) and thus what it's like having an absent parent, bullying, and doing what's right.
- I liked this story and recommend it whole-heartedly - I just didn't love it, though that's more of a personal thing, rather than a reflection of the book.
Trigger/content warning: loved one getting hurt, blood mention, animals getting hurt, bullying (challenged), some very light fantastical violence
- Follows Nestor, a Latine boy who moves around a lot because his dad's in the army - and can speak to animals! When he and his mother settle in a small town with his abuela, Nestor is pulled into a mystery: all the animals in the town are going missing. When his abuela gets implicated in the mystery, Nestor and his two new friends takes things into his own hands - but they may have signed up for something much bigger than them.
- I liked this! I think this is such a great story for younger readers. It's simple, fun, and has plenty of fun animal facts (Nestor is in the trivia club).
- Though the story itself is simple, the story also explores some complicated topics - like what it's like to be the son of someone in the army (and I feel like the story leans into the complexity of having a parent in a military career) and thus what it's like having an absent parent, bullying, and doing what's right.
- I liked this story and recommend it whole-heartedly - I just didn't love it, though that's more of a personal thing, rather than a reflection of the book.
Trigger/content warning: loved one getting hurt, blood mention, animals getting hurt, bullying (challenged), some very light fantastical violence
December 20, 2019
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
I've been waiting a very long time to finally get my hands on this book, so I was delighted to get an eARC. I was not definitely not disappointed.
Nestor struggles with being the new kid; his dad is in the military and their family has moved several times. His dad is currently deployed in Afghanistan and they are living with his abuela in Texas. He feels disconnected from his dad, and wishes that he could be more involved in his life. But there's another side to life in this small town, and it has to do with the woods and what's happening to all the animals that have disappeared. Are the rumors true that his abuela is involved? Is there a tule vieja, a witch, absorbing the animals' powers and growing stronger? Once people start to go missing, Nestor and his friends figure out what's going on.
This is a fantastic mix of realistic fiction with a thread of magic based on Panamanian and Costa Rican myths that runs through it. I love how the author addresses the impact of a parent's involvement in the military on their children, as that's something rarely seen in middle grade fiction. I love the colorful cast of animal characters, such as Cuervito, and their attempts to help Nestor (with whom they can communicate). I also love the Cuban heritage in which the story is steeped, and the cultural exposure that young readers will get from reading it.
I definitely recommend adding this to your TBR list for May 2020.
I've been waiting a very long time to finally get my hands on this book, so I was delighted to get an eARC. I was not definitely not disappointed.
Nestor struggles with being the new kid; his dad is in the military and their family has moved several times. His dad is currently deployed in Afghanistan and they are living with his abuela in Texas. He feels disconnected from his dad, and wishes that he could be more involved in his life. But there's another side to life in this small town, and it has to do with the woods and what's happening to all the animals that have disappeared. Are the rumors true that his abuela is involved? Is there a tule vieja, a witch, absorbing the animals' powers and growing stronger? Once people start to go missing, Nestor and his friends figure out what's going on.
This is a fantastic mix of realistic fiction with a thread of magic based on Panamanian and Costa Rican myths that runs through it. I love how the author addresses the impact of a parent's involvement in the military on their children, as that's something rarely seen in middle grade fiction. I love the colorful cast of animal characters, such as Cuervito, and their attempts to help Nestor (with whom they can communicate). I also love the Cuban heritage in which the story is steeped, and the cultural exposure that young readers will get from reading it.
I definitely recommend adding this to your TBR list for May 2020.
September 16, 2019
A mind-blowing debut. Simply stunning.
January 28, 2022
This was a cute MG contemporary fantasy based on Cuban and Panamanian folklore. I read this in anticipation of meeting the author in a few months and I can’t wait to talk craft/get advice from her.
November 27, 2019
The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez was a complete delight to read. Adrianna Cuevas writes deftly of Nestor, who's experiencing the deep difficulties of living with a father who's currently overseas with the army. The storyline of Nestor's father being in the army were authentic and real, including the impact on Nestor, his mother, and his grandmother.
Intertwined in this is a wonderful comedic wit. I laughed over and over while reading. This helped smooth over the dark magic of the book and the sadness Nestor is living with.
Altogether, I very much enjoyed the story Cuevas has written!
Intertwined in this is a wonderful comedic wit. I laughed over and over while reading. This helped smooth over the dark magic of the book and the sadness Nestor is living with.
Altogether, I very much enjoyed the story Cuevas has written!
February 21, 2024
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Nestor Lopez takes place in a completely realistic contemporary setting, which makes it that much for fun for kids to imagine that something paranormal could happen right in their backyard. Nestor can talk to animals (which is already an incredibly appealing set-up---what kid doesn't imagine themselves talking to animals?), but something sinister is out there taking them. Worse, some people suspect Nestor's own grandmother has something to do with it. If he wants to save the animals in his town and prove his grandmother's innocence, he needs to figure out who (or what) is responsible for the disappearances. Of course, the answer is something even more out there than his own ability to communicate with wildlife---and far more dangerous.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the fact that Nestor's dad is active duty military. Nestor has to deal with the fear that something could happen to his father while also facing monsters at home with his grandmother. The very real fears that Nestor has for his father and the constant moving will resonate with military kids. I also loved the Cuban folklore of the tule vieja, the Cuban foods that were featured, and the bits of Spanish language sprinkled throughout the book. Overall, a fun adventure story that puts a spotlight on folklore that many kids have probably never heard of, which is always a win in my book!
Nestor Lopez takes place in a completely realistic contemporary setting, which makes it that much for fun for kids to imagine that something paranormal could happen right in their backyard. Nestor can talk to animals (which is already an incredibly appealing set-up---what kid doesn't imagine themselves talking to animals?), but something sinister is out there taking them. Worse, some people suspect Nestor's own grandmother has something to do with it. If he wants to save the animals in his town and prove his grandmother's innocence, he needs to figure out who (or what) is responsible for the disappearances. Of course, the answer is something even more out there than his own ability to communicate with wildlife---and far more dangerous.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the fact that Nestor's dad is active duty military. Nestor has to deal with the fear that something could happen to his father while also facing monsters at home with his grandmother. The very real fears that Nestor has for his father and the constant moving will resonate with military kids. I also loved the Cuban folklore of the tule vieja, the Cuban foods that were featured, and the bits of Spanish language sprinkled throughout the book. Overall, a fun adventure story that puts a spotlight on folklore that many kids have probably never heard of, which is always a win in my book!
June 30, 2020
I received an electronic ARC from Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) through Edelweiss+.
Nestor's dad is in the army and they've moved a lot during his military career. In fact, he is starting at this tenth school mid year in sixth grade. This time, they are living with his abuela so it's the first time he hasn't lived on a military base. Now, he's in a small town in Texas.
Cuevas shows the difficulty of always being the new kid in class as the story begins. Nestor also has a bit extra to hide as he can talk with animals. He does form friendships, encounter the class bully, save a wild animal from a trap and brave the woods before the actual evil is revealed. He and his friends - human and animal - take on the tule vieja and defeat her during the eclipse.
Easy to follow story that pulls readers in and makes them feel like they are part of the action. Enough action and myth to hold reluctant readers. This shorter length book will introduce elementary level readers to mythology and action.
Nestor's dad is in the army and they've moved a lot during his military career. In fact, he is starting at this tenth school mid year in sixth grade. This time, they are living with his abuela so it's the first time he hasn't lived on a military base. Now, he's in a small town in Texas.
Cuevas shows the difficulty of always being the new kid in class as the story begins. Nestor also has a bit extra to hide as he can talk with animals. He does form friendships, encounter the class bully, save a wild animal from a trap and brave the woods before the actual evil is revealed. He and his friends - human and animal - take on the tule vieja and defeat her during the eclipse.
Easy to follow story that pulls readers in and makes them feel like they are part of the action. Enough action and myth to hold reluctant readers. This shorter length book will introduce elementary level readers to mythology and action.
May 29, 2021
I’m currently making my way through the 2021 list of Florida’s SSYRA novels looking for books to read with my class of fourth graders. I LOVED this book. I loved the seamless inclusion of Cuban culture that a lot of my students will relate to. The one thing I will say is that there is a short passage at the end of one of the chapters where he is talking about being in emotional pain because his dad is deployed, so he wraps string around his finger until the physical pain dulls the emotional pain. If I read it to my class, I’ll probably omit that short passage because I don’t want to give any kids ideas about self harm. Other than that, the story and the characters are so fun, his Abuela is great! Definitely recommend!
April 9, 2020
ARC from @litreviewcrew! I loved the concept of a middle school student who can talk to animals choosing to save his new home from a tule vieja/witch and the mixture of Spanish and English dialogue. It was a very fun adventure story!
There were some points where I had a hard time following the story and a couple moments that the adults were so unbelievable it really took me out of the action, but overall, I really enjoyed this one!
There were some points where I had a hard time following the story and a couple moments that the adults were so unbelievable it really took me out of the action, but overall, I really enjoyed this one!
September 7, 2020
Nailing heartwarming AND spooky in the same book is a tall order, but Cuevas gets it exactly right. THE TOTAL ECLIPSE OF NESTOR LOPEZ is a funny, well-plotted, genuinely creepy (without being sadistic or cruel), interesting (loved the animal facts!), and deeply emotionally resonant book. Nestor is a kindhearted, complex character who is just trying to do his best in very challenging circumstances. Cuevas handles the issues around having a parent deployed in the military with really deft sensitivity. I loved the dynamic Nestor has with his friends, including the class bully (Nestor is a great role model for handling conflict and change), and most of all with his abuela. I also really loved Miss Humala, the teacher. Cuevas managed to strike just the right note with her character’s plot arc (I can’t say exactly why due to spoilers!) Kids who enjoy spooky stories with heart will LOVE this book, and I think it should be at the top of any 4th-6th grade teacher’s classroom read aloud list. Highly recommend!!!
Side note—film/tv scouts, where are you? This would be incredible on the screen!
Side note—film/tv scouts, where are you? This would be incredible on the screen!
February 9, 2021
I read this book for my 2nd challenge of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge, Name in the Title for 20 points and there is so much GREATNESS in this book! Nestor is in middle school, he constantly moves around because his father is deployed (now in Afghanistan), he doesn't stay long enough to make friends, he can talk to animals (yes and they talk to him) and now living in New Haven, Texas (where his Dad grew up) with his Abuela and nurse Mom, Nestor's constant grief and fear for his Dad and missing him compounds his unease with what is going on in the neighborhood. This time, Nestor has two friends he really enjoys, Maria Carmen, and Talib, and together they investigate missing animals, a creature that terrorizes the woods as either a spider, snake or wolverine. How will Nestor and company solve the mystery and save the missing animals? It is a race against time and readers will not be able to put this book down! There is excitement, suspense, friendship and folklore that lure you in and what a wild ride, highly recommended!
August 21, 2020
As a kid, I always dreamed of being able to talk to animals, and for Nestor, this is reality. This debut Middle Grade really nails the voice and has everything readers of this age love; talking animals, a witch in the woods, and a plucky main character. The main character's father is off on military duty, which was an interesting perspective to read about how he and his father keep in touch. This book was fun to read and has wonderful ties to folklore and LatinX culture.
September 17, 2021
An interesting fantasy with Nestor who has moved too many times and misses his deployed dad. He has a rough time in his new hometown until he make friends with other 6th graders and becomes friends with a bully. Witches, humans that communicate with animals, a dark scary forest, and a grandma getting blamed for it gives readers plenty to pull them along in this tale.
August 9, 2025
upper primary or middle school book for my WISE book group. adults who love kids' books. group.
cool story about a boy who can talk to animals. liked
loyal friends
discovering that people may not be who they seem. love that moms, dads & abuelas have for their kiddos. even 6th graders
not. like
kind of oblivious mom. how does she not see the torn apart house
cool story about a boy who can talk to animals. liked
loyal friends
discovering that people may not be who they seem. love that moms, dads & abuelas have for their kiddos. even 6th graders
not. like
kind of oblivious mom. how does she not see the torn apart house
April 17, 2022
I listened to the audio book recently, on a long drive, and found myself attentive and enthralled the whole trip. (It also miraculously corresponded to my exact travel time, door to door.) Having listened for our school district's novels approval committee, I will wholeheartedly approve. An inclusive, exciting fantasy about family love, good friends, parents serving in the military and an aching for home, even when it's all around you. Well developed characters, compelling plot. A great multicultural fantasy for middle grade readers.
September 22, 2020
A cute middle level read! A boy who can talk to animals and a crazy witch or werewolf or snake or spider attacking all the local pets. The kids have to stop it before the end of the eclipse!
October 1, 2020
Great middle grade book that blurs the line between realistic fiction and fantasy--with a scary adventure thrown in. So, in shirt, something for everyone. This book would make a great read-aloud!
February 7, 2021
When you have the great ability to talk to animals you have great responsibility to be the hero when the animals go missing. A fun romp.
March 14, 2021
Fun magical realism and a great audio version
March 30, 2021
Exciting adventure about a boy who talks to animals.
June 14, 2021
I read this book for my multicultural youth literature class and I LOVED it. Not a perfect book but good. It reminds me of a g-rated version of Stephen King’s the Outsider. I love boogieman stories and Nestor’s magical ability is awesome. But I worry this is a book librarians and teachers will love and kids will say, “meh,” to.
January 24, 2022
The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez was delightful and action-packed. I think fans of Percy Jackson will enjoy it (but it is missing Riordan's humor). I liked all of the Spanish and that it wasn't translated. There was good character development, too. Overall, I think older children and younger teens will love it. The downside for me was the too-frequent comparison of "like [I/she/he] was going to throw up."
No content concerns. Animal injuries do occur.
No content concerns. Animal injuries do occur.
April 9, 2022
This book is one of my favorites that I've read this year, and if you're someone who enjoys fictional books, then this one is definitely one you should read.
November 3, 2022
An amazing story from start to finish. It kept my children and I rapt with attention as Nestor navigates challenging life events in such a short amount of time.
January 14, 2023
A 2022-23 Oregon Battle of the Books selection. Fun middle grade story with some terrific cultural elements.
April 13, 2023
4.5-4.75/5
Displaying 1 - 30 of 329 reviews