A heartfelt middle grade eco-adventure story full of friendship and self-discovery, perfect for fans of Dan Gemeinhart and Gary D. Schmidt.
Summer is winding down and Jake Rizzi is headed to his great-aunt's cabin in the wet, mossy Oregon backwoods. His parents are going on a "couples retreat" and Jake can't help but wonder if it's him and his ADHD that they need a break from. His great-aunt's off-the-grid lifestyle seems strange, but her stories about a turtle with a ruby-colored shell spark his imagination.
Jake soon learns that the turtle is more than a myth. And thanks to a viral article online, strangers from all over the world have arrived to search for it--including a sinister "park ranger" and towering twins claiming to be zoologists. Jake is sure that finding the turtle will change how people see him and his "attention issues"--but he'll need help.
With villains lurking and mysteries to solve, Jake and his new friend Mia find themselves locked in a race against time. But when things turn dangerous, Jake has to choose what matters most--personal glory or protecting the wonders of nature?
