Turtle Moon

11-year-old Silver is wild at heart and loves nothing better than climbing trees. Her parents are desperate to have another baby, but not even medical intervention has worked for them. Family life has lost its colour and happiness – they all need a change of scenery and something new to focus on. Then her father is offered a four-month job in Costa Rica, painting pictures of turtles for a rescue centre. The plan is for the centre to sell his artwork, raising funds as well as raising awareness of the turtles’ plight.

As Silver settles into her new life at the animal sanctuary, she makes a new friend, and he encourages her to become actively involved in safeguarding the turtles.A chance encounter with the rarest turtle of all results in Silver feeling the weight of new responsibilities, and when disaster strikes on a very stormy night, it is up to the two youngest turtle protectors to save many lives.

The story threads together many interesting themes and wraps them up in a wonderful story about wildlife, habitats and the changing animal world. Friendship, self-doubt, bravery and resilience weave through the chapters alongside thorny issues such as depression and family strife. The characters are all likeable and you find yourself empathising with and rooting for Silver and her parents, as well as the turtle families.

It is a well-crafted, feel-good story, which, just like Hannah Gold’s previous animal books, is a fantastic read.