Turtle Moon by Hannah Gold

There are few books so completely honest and utterly courageous as those written by the brilliant Hannah Gold. Turtle Moon gave me shivers as I followed Silver and her family on their adventure of a lifetime to work at Turtle Beach Rescue Centre in Costa Rica.

All 11-year-old Silver wants is to climb trees and spend time being wild! All her parents want is another baby. Their silent longing for a child they’ve never known is confusing for Silver. She can’t help but feel not quite good enough. Mum is sad – unable to fully cope with the stress that comes with fertility struggles and her job as a vet. Dad loves to paint but can’t quite find his muse.

When the opportunity arises for Dad to paint wildlife portraits at a turtle sanctuary thousands of miles from home, they figure this is a great chance to get away and take a break from reality. Silver isn’t sure at first but she soon finds herself thrown into jungle life. With trees everywhere, her new friend Rafi and the most incredible animals (including a lovely sloth called Speedy and a mischievous little monkey called Tickle), she grows in confidence, awareness of the world and compassion. Mum and Dad are transformed too but it’s a difficult journey.

The description of Costa Rica – one of the most bioodiverse places on earth – is stunning. Much like Hannah Gold’s depiction of the Arctic in her ‘Last Bear’ books, this setting is completely immersive. Readers are able to really understand the essence of the place, not just the geographical facts. Silver’s connection to the trees, her relationship with the animals and the very real dangers they face pull readers deep into the jungle.

Themes of animal conservation and environmental protection are powerful. The rarity of the different species of turtles, the urgency in protecting their eggs and the importance of cleaning up pollution comes across so clearly. Turtle Moon would make a wonderful stimulus for a geography project or class topic. There is so much for children to learn from the text.

But it’s the story of family and messages about the value (and fragility) of life that make this book so special. Both adults and children will take so much from this story as they think of their own experiences or those of others. As I let the final chapters wash over me, I didn’t want the story to come to an end. Connections between Silver, her parents and Ana (the founder of the turtle sanctuary) reflect the power of creation energy and how we can all support each other through the most difficult times, coming out the other side stronger and ready to take on the world.

Thank you to Harper Collins Children’s for a copy of this beautiful book!

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